Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has appealed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to support his country against what he calls increasing and illegal threats from the United States and President Donald Trump. In a letter sent to the organization's members, Maduro said Washington is seeking to establish control over Venezuela's oil reserves - the largest in the world, Al Jazeera reported.
“I hope for your greatest efforts to stop this aggression, which is deepening and seriously threatening the balance of the international energy market for both producers and consumers,“ the Venezuelan leader stressed. He categorically condemned any use of military force against the country's territory, population and institutions.
Although Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world - about 303 billion barrels as of 2023 - crude oil exports for the same year reached only $4.05 billion. This is significantly below the levels of other leading producers, due in part to sanctions imposed by the United States during Donald Trump's first term. Along with Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, Venezuela has been a founding member of OPEC since 1960.
Maduro's appeal came after Trump posted on the Truth Social social media platform that Venezuelan airspace was closed.
For months, the government in Caracas has argued that the Trump administration's increased military presence in the Caribbean is aimed at securing access to Venezuela's oil and gas fields. The White House, for its part, says its actions are primarily aimed at combating drug trafficking.