Russia Claims Venezuelan Oil: ‘It’s Ours Now, Thanks Sanctions!’
KEY POINTS
- •Roszarubezhneft took over Venezuela oil assets previously held by Rosneft after US sanctions forced Rosneft’s 2020 exit.
- •Following a US military operation on January 3 that captured Maduro, Trump proposed US control and investments in Venezuela’s oil sector.
- •Russia’s foreign ministry has demanded Maduro’s release and urged dialogue while global oil markets watch for geopolitical disruptions.
In a geopolitical episode that reads like a bizarre sequel to a soap opera, Russia’s Roszarubezhneft announced Monday that all its jumbled Venezuelan oil assets officially belong to the Russian state—because why not? Since 2020, after US sanctions karate-chopped Rosneft out of the game, Roszarubezhneft swooped in, buying stakes in five joint ventures with Venezuela's PDVSA at 'full market value'—approved by regulators probably dazzled by paperwork. This declaration came right after a chaotic US military raid on January 3, which oddly ended with Nicolás Maduro being captured, prompting Trump to brag about running Venezuela and inviting American oligarchs to play in its broken oil sandbox. Meanwhile, Putin dodges comments like a pro, leaving the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to theatrically demand Maduro’s release and US-Venezuela chit-chat, as global markets nervously season their popcorn with fears of an ‘oil price shock’ that could turn energy prices into a soap opera cliffhanger.
Share the Story
Russia’s taking Venezuela’s oil like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party no one invited America to. Meanwhile, Trump wants a VIP pass to the oil club. Geopolitics or reality TV? Hard to tell.
Sanctions forced Rosneft out, so Roszarubezhneft showed up like the clingy ex claiming all your stuff. Venezuela’s oil now a messy divorce settlement.
January 3 raid captures Maduro, Trump promises to run Venezuela like an Airbnb rental. Russia quietly updates ownership like it's a game of Risk.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 1/14/2026 | Author: Huileng Tan
More Articles in World News
Digital Nomad Trapped in Lisbon FOMO, Ends Up BFF Ghosted
NBA All-Star Tickets: Your Bank Account’s Longest Slam Dunk Ever
NFL Plays Cutthroat Streaming Game: Pay or Cry Watching Bears-Packers
Trump Promises Iran 'Help' While Warning Them About Their Own Hangings
Trump Contemplates Bombing Iran While Chatting Diplomacy Like It's Tinder
Iran and Trump Texting Sweet Nothings While Playing Nuclear Chicken
Trump Negotiates Nuclear Deal Between Air Force One and Starlink
Victoria Premier Films Self-Rescue While Fire Starves for Attention
