‘In our neighbourhood, US calls the shots’: V-P Vance says Maduro’s capture will help them ‘control’ Venezuela’s natural resources

Vice President JD Vance speaks during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Dec. 21, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/File)

US Vice President JD Vance has said that the capture of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro will help them to control the incredible natural resources of the country.

In an interview with the Fox News, Vance outlined how “taking out a dictator in Venezuela” will benefit average Americans, and said: “First of all, it means we’re going to be able to control the incredible natural resources of Venezuela which are good for Americans in a few ways.”

Watters: How does taking out a dictator in Venezuela help the average American?

Vance: It means is we are going to be able to control the incredible natural resources of Venezuela pic.twitter.com/I4Lroiw5Yg

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 8, 2026

Listing them out, he said the resources gives them leverage, and access to high quality low cost power that the Americans need. He added that taking out Maduro also demonstrates American military excellence, which “makes people afraid to cross us in the future”.

Boasting of US’s military might, Vance said: “Some of the best ways to maintain peace is you make it clear that you carry a very strong sword if you ever need to use it. So, I think it is good for us in a lot of ways.”

Vance pointed at the global order that has “always been” there, and said the US has controlled its neighbourhood for 200 years and it will continue to be the way forward under President Donald Trump. “This is in our neighbourhood and if we cannot follow the basic principle which has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy, for 200 years that we control our neighbourhood, a lot of bad people can take advantage of it…,” he said

“…in your neighbourhood, the United States calls the shots, that’s the way it has always been, that’s the way it’s again on the President’s leadership,” Vance added.