What the US militarisation of Latin America could look like
More US military involvement and larger regional defence budgets mean less social spending and worse democracy outcomes.

More US military involvement and larger regional defence budgets mean less social spending and worse democracy outcomes.


![A group of detained fishermen are transported on a National Police bus to the Community Surveillance Unit (UVC) from the port of Manta. [AFP]](https://aljazeeranews-3fuh52rgrl.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/afp_6a9b655c6afd-1788568924.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)






Analysts say Venezuelan crude is hard to extract and refine, and likely can’t replace oil stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Energy Secretary arrived in La Guaira for the signing of a deal that will control much of Venezuela’s oil reserves.
Venezuela’s National Assembly voted to back the 65-billion-barrel oil deal, despite no details being publicly released.
The controversial tycoon will lead the joint oil venture as the Trump administration seeks to reshape energy markets.
Venezuela’s interim president gives new US company 100-year rights to more than 17 oil fields.
Abducted Venezuelan leader’s post appears to show him in US detention, published two days after US-Venezuela oil deal.

Opposition in Venezuela as interim leader insists the deal with Washington will help with the country’s recovery.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has appeared in the first photos from US custody since his January abduction.
President Donald Trump says in a post that the ‘topping out’ process will begin shortly.

Venezuela’s interim President has given a televised address to defend a deal of Venezuelan oil for the United States.