US in talks to acquire major stake in Venezuelan oil fields, Bloomberg reports

The U.S. government is engaged in negotiations with Venezuela to potentially acquire a significant share of the nation's energy resources, as reported by Bloomberg. These discussions may lead to a 100-year lease for several Venezuelan oil fields, according to officials from both countries. The terms of this potential deal are currently under negotiation and not yet finalized.

This move aligns with President Donald Trump's strategy to increase American economic and geopolitical influence in the region. The proposal comes after a military intervention in January that ousted former President Nicolás Maduro, leading to a more favorable interim leadership in Caracas. By securing Venezuela's crude reserves, the U.S. aims to enhance its domestic energy supply during a time of global energy volatility.

The supply disruptions are caused by ongoing conflict in Iran and attempts by Tehran to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The proposed lease structure would enable the U.S. to directly control Venezuelan crude sales and deposit the revenue into U.S. bank accounts. The U.S. has already relaxed sanctions to permit American energy companies to return to the region, although the total funds from recent oil sales have not been disclosed.

Although earlier reports mentioned talks about Venezuelan resources, a definitive long-term lease would represent a significant level of state intervention in foreign energy assets. Market observers are now awaiting further details on operational governance, revenue-sharing arrangements, and the timeline for finalizing the agreement.