Russia says the US is pushing its companies out of Venezuela's energy sector

Coverage from Businessinsider notes Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the United States is pushing Russian companies out of Venezuela's energy sector. Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with RT following a US military operation in early January that resulted in the capture of then‑Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

He linked pressure on Russian firms in Venezuela to broader efforts to curb Moscow's role in global oil markets. Lavrov cited recent sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as tariffs and restrictions on countries purchasing Russian oil, and said, "Everywhere it is being said that Russian oil and Russian gas will be replaced by American oil and American liquefied natural gas." Observers warn Russia's investments in Venezuela could face significant losses.

Stephen Sestanovich wrote that Russian investments in Venezuela's oil industry "will now have to be, formally or informally, written off," and Roszarubezhneft has said its Venezuelan assets are owned by the Russian state.

Russia, United States, Venezuela, Moscow