Collection
Contextualizing Trump post about Venezuela stealing 'oil, land and other assets' from the US
As concerns grew that the Trump administration was seeking to invade Venezuela, we compiled 14 rumors we've tackled about the country.
by Anna Rascouët-Paz , Dec. 17, 2025
Image courtesy of Getty Images
As U.S. President Donald Trump announced a "total and complete blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela" (archived ) and as the U.S. Navy continued to strike Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean claiming without evidence that they belonged to "narco-terrorists," rumors abounded that Trump was seeking to invade the Latin American nation to set off a regime change.
The dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro followed the totalitarian regime of Hugo Chávez . Both purported to defend "socialism" and have long antagonized the U.S. Rampant corruption and poverty have also been the source of many rumors, true and false, and fueled mass emigration . Yet the country's oil reserves , the largest in the world, have attracted foreign interests for decades.
Here are 14 claims about Venezuela Snopes has investigated over the years.
By Anna Rascouët-Paz
Anna Rascouët-Paz is based in Brooklyn, fluent in numerous languages and specializes in science and economic topics.
Did Actor Sean Penn Say He Was Moving to Venezuela Because Pres. Maduro Was 'Way Better Than Trump'?
May 3, 2019
It's probably safe to say the actor would be displeased if U.S. President Donald Trump wins re-e ...
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Is this a Photograph of Worthless Money in the Gutters of Venezuela?
April 5, 2019
The disastrous economic situation in Venezuela can't be summed up in a single image.
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Did Marco Rubio Confuse Reporter Named Germán Dam with a Location?
July 29, 2021
This incident didn't take place at a German dam. It was reported on by Germán Dam.
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Does a Meme Show Starving Citizens in Venezuela Eating Garbage?
June 20, 2019
A Turning Point USA meme that claimed to showcase poverty in Venezuela co-opted an unrelated ima ...
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Claim ICE detained Venezuelan teen despite knowing he wasn't in gang came from family member who saw arrest
April 16, 2025
Merwil Gutierrez's cousin Luis reportedly heard ICE agents say Merwil was "not the one" but to " ...
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No, Obama didn't get $22.9M from Venezuelan government for apartment atop his presidential library
May 19, 2025
Users shared a rumor alleging Barack Obama received the donation, and that Bill Clinton accepted ...
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Is Venezuela darker at night than rest of South America, as meme claims?
July 14, 2025
Neither Venezuela's borders nor its "socialism" are distinctly visible from space.
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Breaking down report man killed in Venezuelan 'drug boat' strikes was actually fisherman with 4 children
Sept. 30, 2025
Neither U.S. nor Venezuelan officials have confirmed the identities of 17 people killed in three ...
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Investigating claim federal agents used helicopters in Chicago raid on alleged Tren de Aragua members
Oct. 3, 2025
The agencies provided no evidence to support the allegation that members of the Venezuelan gang ...
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Did María Corina Machado dedicate her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump?
Oct. 13, 2025
The Venezuelan opposition leader posted to social media after being honored.
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US Navy didn't strike Clarence Thomas' yacht near Venezuela, honestly
Nov. 5, 2025
Keep your Boro(witz) about you.
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Did Colombia's president call for The Hague to investigate Trump over boat strikes?
Nov. 12, 2025
In a speech at the U.N., Petro called for criminal inquiry against U.S. officials, including Tru ...
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Did Adm. Alvin Holsey resign over Hegseth's Venezuela boat strike orders? What we know
Dec. 3, 2025
Holsey will retire from the Navy on Dec. 12, 2025, after a little more than a year leading the U ...
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Contextualizing Trump post about Venezuela stealing 'oil, land and other assets' from the US
Dec. 17, 2025
The president said in a Truth Social post Venezuela should return those assets to the U.S. and d ...
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