Trump latest: President accused of ‘insane plan’ to ‘steal Venezuelan oil at gunpoint’
Trump claimed that American companies would be sending workers to Venezuela to help rebuild the nation’s oil industry infrastructure
President Donald Trump has been accused of plotting to steal Venezuela’s vast oil reserves “at gunpoint” after unveiling plans to control sales “indefinitely” for U.S. gain.
The Department of Energy on Wednesday revealed a scheme to keep all proceeds from oil sales in U.S.-controlled accounts before the government decides how they are used “for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people”.
Democratic senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut called the plan “insane”, telling reporters: “They are talking about stealing the Venezuelan oil at gunpoint for a period of time undefined as leverage to micromanage the country.”
But energy secretary Chris Wright said that the administration’s priority was stabilising Venezuela’s economy, insisting: “We are not stealing anyone’s oil.”
Trump has warned the U.S could be involved in Venezuela for years to help “rebuild” the country with funds raised from oil.
“We will rebuild it in a very profitable way,” he assured, adding: “We’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil.”
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Rubio downplays threat of military invasion of Greenland and instead pushes plans to buy the island
Republicans break ranks to halt future Trump attacks on Venezuela
A group of Republican senators delivered Donald Trump a message of opposition to begin the new year as they voted to limit the president’s ability to launch new attacks on Venezuela.
Five members of the president’s party broke ranks to support a War Powers Act resolution sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, aimed at preventing the White House from using resources to support further military action inside Venezuela following the capture of the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro. The new resolution blocks the president from using the military against Venezuela without authorization from Congress.
Read our full story below.
Republicans break ranks to halt future Trump attacks on Venezuela
Trump slams Republican senators who agreed to advance bill curbing Venezuela war powers
President Donald Trump decried his fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate who on Thursday voted to advanced a resolution that would bar him from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation.
"Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again," Trump wrote in a social media post.
How Trump’s attack on Venezuela backs Fifa into a corner over World Cup
The US attack on Venezuela has shifted focus on the 2026 World Cup hosts, writes Miguel Delaney, with Fifa left conflicted by its allegiance with Trump:
How Trump’s attack on Venezuela backs Fifa into a corner over World Cup
Analysis: Welcome to Trump’s New Rogue Order: US pulling out of key UN bodies leaves us all less safe
The U.S. president’s decision to withdraw from dozens of international groups will make America’s enemies rejoice, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes:
Trump’s New Rogue Order: US pulling out of key UN bodies leaves us all less safe
UK offers show of support to Denmark as U.S. eyes Greenland
The UK “once again” showed solidarity with Denmark over the U.S. designs on Greenland, foreign minister Lars Loekke Rasmusen said on Thursday following a call with his British counterpart.
“Thanks for a good and constructive conversation with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper,” he said.
Why Trump wants to take Greenland – and how his ‘remarkably stupid’ plan could unfold
Donald Trump is weighing options to take Greenland from Nato ally Denmark.
Trump first floated the idea in 2019. But after shocking the world with his successful ousting of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, it’s something he says is back on his agenda.
Alex Woodward looks at why Trump wants to take the territory - and how it could happen:
Trump wants to take Greenland. How his ‘remarkably stupid’ plan could unfold
BREAKING: Senate votes to take up resolution limiting Trump in Venezuela
The Senate has voted to take up a resolution to limit Trump’s power to use the military in Venezuela.
The narrow 52-47 vote is enough to move the measure on and begin a debate on the resolution invoking the War Powers Act.
It is still unclear whether the House will approve it, and Trump could still veto it.
Even if symbolic, the vote suggests a shifting political landscape, after Republicans blocked all past efforts.
The last vote was 49-51, as just two senators from Trump's party joined Democrats in backing a resolution in November.
Administration officials had told lawmakers at that time that they did not plan to change the government or conduct strikes on Venezuelan territory.
Republicans back push to curb Trump's operations in Venezuela
Republicans are joining the Democrat-led push to curb Trump’s military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. Senate is considering a resolution today that would block Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation.
Those supporting the resolution include Senator Todd Young of Indiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine.
Rand Paul of Kentucky is a cosponsor of the measure.
U.S. invites limited Chinese involvement in Venezuela
U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright told Fox Business Network today that it was possible for the U.S. and China to both have roles in the future of Venezuela, as Washington positions itself to dictate the use of profits from oil sales.
Mr Wright assured that Donald Trump wants a peaceful relationship with China going forward. He also emphasized that the U.S. would not allow China to have a major role in the country.
France's Macron accuses U.S. of turning away from allies
French president Emmanuel Macron said today that the U.S. was “breaking free from international rules” and “turning away” from some of its allies, as Europe scrambles to respond to threats to Danish territory Greenland.
"We are living in a world of great powers with a real temptation to divide up the world," he said, warning that “multilateral institutions” are now “functioning less and less effectively”.
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