Under international law, the United States does not have a legitimate legal right to Venezuela’s oil.
Here’s the breakdown:
1. Sovereignty & International Law
Venezuela is a sovereign state.
Under international law (including the UN Charter), natural resources belong to the state within whose territory they are located.
No foreign country—including the U.S.—has an inherent right to extract or own another country’s resources without that country’s consent.
2. When Foreign Access Is Legitimate
The U.S. (or U.S. companies) can only lawfully access Venezuelan oil if:
Venezuela’s recognized government authorizes it, usually via contracts or joint ventures, and
The activity complies with applicable international and domestic laws (including sanctions).
Historically, U.S. oil companies did operate in Venezuela, but that was by agreement, not entitlement.
3. Sanctions ≠ Ownership
U.S. sanctions on Venezuela restrict trade and financial transactions.
Sanctions do not transfer ownership of oil or grant extraction rights.
Even when the U.S. recognizes an opposition government (e.g., Juan Guaidó in the past), recognition alone does not legally give the U.S. rights to the oil.
4. Asset Control vs. Resource Rights
The U.S. has, at times, controlled or frozen Venezuelan state assets abroad (like CITGO, a U.S.-based refinery).
That is legally distinct from owning or having rights to Venezuela’s oil reserves inside Venezuela.
5. Moral or Political Arguments
Some argue the U.S. has a moral or strategic interest (energy security, democracy promotion, preventing misuse by authoritarian regimes).
These arguments are political, not legal.
They do not create lawful ownership or extraction rights.
Bottom line
Legally: ❌ No right
Politically or strategically: Debated
Access only with consent: ✅ Yes