JD Vance slams past US wars while praising Trump’s takeover of Venezuela’s oil

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance criticized past US military interventions while praising President Donald Trump’s takeover of Venezuela’s oil reserves, calling the move “an amazing thing.”

Vance made the remarks during an administration meeting with top US oil executives on Friday, January 9. The closed-door session included senior leaders from Exxon, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, and focused on future American investment in Venezuela’s energy sector.

JD Vance says Trump 'empowered the American military'

Speaking to executives, JD Vance framed Trump’s approach as a sharp departure from previous administrations, which he accused of sending US troops into prolonged overseas conflicts without tangible benefits for Americans.

“As a Marine Corps veteran, for my entire lifetime, presidents, and let’s be honest, they were Democrats and Republicans, would send the American military to far-off places,” Vance said. He added that those decisions often led to “endless quagmires” that cost “hundreds or thousands of American lives” while delivering little in return. 

Vance contrasted that history with Trump’s actions in Venezuela, arguing that the president had used American power more strategically. According to Vance, Trump had empowered the military to curb the flow of drugs into the United States while securing control over one of the world’s largest energy reserves.

“And he did it without losing a single American life in the process,” Vance said. He described the operation as one that would strengthen US economic and national security interests while contributing to a reduction in drug overdose deaths. 

“It’s going to make our country richer, it’s going to make our country more powerful, it’s going to make our country safer,” Vance said, adding that the administration was now focused on expanding the scope of the operation for American benefit.

Oil executives briefed after Nicolas Maduro ouster

The Friday meeting centered on US oil companies’ potential investments in Venezuela following the removal of former president Nicolas Maduro. Administration officials discussed rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure and expanding American involvement in oil production and exports.

Donald Trump has previously stated that US oil companies were expected to spend at least $100 billion to revive Venezuela’s energy sector. He also promised that companies involved would “get their money back and make a very nice return.”

The president has indicated that the US presence in Venezuela could extend beyond a year, suggesting that American forces and companies may remain in the country for a longer period as reconstruction efforts continue and oil flows are brought under US control.

Trump says Venezuela to turn over 30 to 50M barrels of sanctioned oil

President Trump announced on Tuesday, January 6, that the interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality, sanctioned oil to the United States.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that the oil will be sold at market price and that the proceeds will be controlled by the President of the United States.

"I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America," the POTUS wrote.

He said, "This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!", adding, "I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

On Sunday, January 4, Trump revealed that he informed oil companies ahead of the US military strike that removed Nicolas Maduro.