This is sheer American bullying!

January 7, 2026

Abhishek Vij

Venezuela has the world’s largest reserves of crude oil. In 2025, Venezuela sold 900,000 barrels of crude oil. US President Trump is known for taking action first and then providing justifications later. Apparently, Trump complained that large quantities of narcotics were being smuggled into the US from Venezuela, and that the US would not tolerate this trafficking. Using drug trafficking as a pretext, the US launched a unilateral attack on Venezuela.

American soldiers captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and took them to the United States. The pretext of drug trafficking continued, so the US stated that they had imprisoned them in the Drug Enforcement Administration office. Now, Venezuelan President Maduro is spending his nights in a New York prison, and Vice President Rodríguez has been given command of Venezuela. The US has leveled accusations of narco-terrorism and has also threatened Rodríguez, warning him that if he doesn’t comply with their demands, he should be prepared to pay a heavy price, just like Maduro. At the same time, the US has seized control of Venezuela’s oil reserves.

Donald Trump says that the US will operate the oil reserves until the situation normalizes. In reality, all the major wars currently raging in the world are driven by the control of mineral resources. Wealthy countries are trying to seize these resources from those who possess them. Ukraine is also facing conflict with Russia because of its abundant natural resources. The same applies to Venezuela. This action by the US has also been condemned by New York City Mayor Jumaane Williams. They protested to Trump that a unilateral attack on a sovereign nation like Venezuela is an act of war. China has also openly condemned this move by the US.As far as India is concerned, our policy is to maintain good relations with everyone.

India emphasizes resolving issues through dialogue and promoting peace and stability. India has stated that we are monitoring the evolving situation and are concerned about the well-being and safety of the Venezuelan people. India supports the people of Venezuela. As for the role of the United Nations, it doesn’t have much influence these days, but the UN did hold a meeting on this issue. The US had accused Venezuela of narco-terrorism back in 2020.

The situation remained tense afterward, but now the US has finally entered Venezuela and arrested President Maduro and his wife. It is quite clear that Venezuela’s control over its oil reserves was not acceptable to the US. The US itself is an oil producer.That is why it also has strained relations with Russia. This is also why the US has imposed a 25 percent tariff on India, in addition to a 25 percent penalty, because India is buying large quantities of crude oil from Russia. The international community has been unable to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine for three years, so who will openly condemn this blatant bullying by the US? The saying, “Might makes right,” seems to be coming true. But voices should be raised against the US throughout the world for attempting to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves under the pretext of narco-terrorism.