Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, defended plans to open the country’s oil market to the United States. She replied to US claims by VP JD Vance that Washington would have full control over Venezuelan oil supplies. Rodríguez said on Wednesday that America’s attack to remove Nicolás Maduro hurt relations, but it is "not unusual or irregular" to trade with the US. She added Venezuela is "open to energy relations where all parties benefit." The Trump administration stepped up control, seizing two sanctioned Venezuelan tankers on Wednesday. It also announced it will manage all sales of Venezuela's future crude oil production worldwide. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, "We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela," starting with stored oil and continuing indefinitely. In a Fox News interview, JD Vance stated, "We control the energy resources, and we tell the regime, you’re allowed to sell the oil so long as you serve America’s national interest, you’re not allowed to sell it if you can’t serve America’s national interest." On Tuesday, Trump announced a deal to access up to $2 billion of Venezuelan crude, signaling Venezuelan officials are responding to US pressure to open oil to American companies or face more military action. The US Energy Department declared that "only oil transported in and out of Venezuela" would follow US-approved channels aligning with national security. This control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves could help the US influence global oil prices. Since US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, Trump has vowed that the US will "run" the country, despite resistance from Rodríguez. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted, "I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal." Trump will meet with major oil company leaders at the White House on Friday to discuss increasing Venezuela’s oil output. However, US oil firms reportedly demand "serious guarantees" from Washington before investing heavily in Venezuela. The Financial Times said oil executives want strong legal and financial promises. Reuters noted US officials urge these companies to return quickly and invest large sums to revive Venezuela’s damaged oil sector.