US politician's shocking words on Venezuela: 'A oil feast'

A US congresswoman has openly described Venezuela as a potential "feast" for American oil companies, revealing the economic motivations behind Washington's escalating pressure on Caracas. The controversial remarks from Representative Maria Elvira Salazar came during a Fox News interview following the US State Department's announcement of a $50 million bounty for information leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

'A Feast for American Oil Companies'

"When we enter Venezuela, it will be a feast for American oil companies," Salazar declared, referencing the nation's substantial petroleum reserves. "We're talking about over one trillion dollars in economic activity. American companies can go in and take it." While expressing her personal wish for governmental change, Salazar noted that many Americans would prefer Venezuelans to orchestrate such change independently.

Military Buildup and Bounty

Washington's aggressive stance includes designating Maduro as a terrorist leader and placing a massive bounty on his head. This approach has been accompanied by significant military mobilization in the Caribbean region, with the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier group deployed under counter-narcotics operations. US defense authorities have confirmed preparedness for multiple operational scenarios, including potential regime change.

Venezuela's Defiance and Sovereignty Concerns

The Maduro government has denounced US actions as violations of international law, mobilizing millions of militia members with promises to resist any foreign intervention. This escalating confrontation not only severely damages bilateral relations but also raises critical questions about national sovereignty and resource control in Latin America, drawing attention from international observers including Türkiye.