Key insights
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1
US officials said leverage over oil and finances will be used to enforce compliance: JD Vance said the US controls Venezuela by controlling purse strings and energy resources and allowing oil sales only if they serve US interests.
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2
The US and Venezuela’s interim leader gave conflicting accounts of who governs Venezuela: Leavitt said interim authorities’ decisions will be dictated by the US, while Delcy Rodriguez said Venezuela’s government is in charge and no foreign agent is governing the country.
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3
UN experts warned the US action could be an international crime of aggression: A group of UN experts said Trump’s actions constitute an “international crime of aggression” and a deliberate violation of fundamental principles of international law.
Takeaways
US officials asserted control over Venezuela’s interim authorities while Delcy Rodriguez rejected foreign governance claims and UN experts warned the US action could amount to an international crime of aggression.
Topics
World & Politics International Affairs Diplomacy Climate & Environment Energy Security & Defense Human Rights