Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has formally accused the United States of plotting to militarily seize his country’s vast petroleum resources in a dramatic diplomatic escalation addressed to global energy leaders. The three-page communiqué, dated November 30 and addressed to OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, alleges systematic US aggression that threatens both Venezuelan sovereignty and global energy market stability.
Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez announced the diplomatic move via social media, characterizing Washington’s actions as ‘growing and illegal threats’ that jeopardize international peace. The letter specifies that since mid-August, the Trump administration has orchestrated a campaign involving the deployment of substantial military assets to the Caribbean region—including more than 14 warships and 15,000 troops—accompanied by alleged bombings against small vessels resulting in over 80 extrajudicial killings.
Maduro’s correspondence contends that these actions constitute flagrant violations of the United Nations Charter and international law frameworks. The Venezuelan government positions itself as defending not only national sovereignty but also global energy equilibrium, noting that any disruption to Venezuela’s oil production—representing the world’s largest reserves—would severely impact market balance.
The letter appeals to OPEC and OPEC+ members for solidarity against what Caracas describes as US attempts to destabilize producing nations through military intervention. Maduro specifically requested distribution of the document to all member states and called for ‘a sovereign union without external disturbances’ to address the crisis.
Neither Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal nor former minister Stuart Young provided immediate commentary regarding these allegations when contacted on November 30. The Venezuelan government maintains it will ‘remain firm in defending its natural energy resources’ against perceived economic and military coercion.