Republican Rep. Thomas Massie slammed President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of Venezuela's oil industry since the capture of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro.

President Donald Trump has lavished the U.S. oil industry with favourable policies since returning to the White House, but his twin demands for cheap oil and “energy dominance” are increasingly colliding with companies’ bottom lines.

The two countries both produce heavy oil, which is difficult to refine, and have relied historically on American refineries to buy it.

One of the U.S. oil lobby’s top priorities for 2026 will be trying to put an end to the growing number of state laws and lawsuits that could make fossil fuel companies pay billions for their role in the climate crisis.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez used her first state of the union message Thursday to advocate for opening the crucial state-run oil industry to more foreign investment following the Trump administration's pledge to seize control of Venezuelan crude sales.

Taylor Sheridan’s hit West Texas oil show “Landman” (the second season ends on Sunday) opens with an oil industry crisis manager, played by Billy Bob Thornton, tied to a chair as he negotiates with a Mexican drug cartel.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a contentious debate over who has the right to control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Speaking on Jan. 3, 2026, after the U.S. military seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,

The U.S. military has seized a seventh tanker transporting oil from Venezuela, as the Trump administration seeks to control the nation's oil exports and revenue.