On Wednesday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the U.S. government wants to resume Venezuelan oil supplies, directly manage Venezuelan oil sales and revenues through accounts controlled by the U.S., and create conditions for U.S. oil companies to enter the country.

Wright said these measures would also benefit the Venezuelan people.

"The oil sales will be carried out by the U.S. government, and the proceeds will be deposited into accounts controlled by the U.S. government," he said.

"Then that money can flow back into Venezuela and benefit the Venezuelan people, but we need to secure influence and control over the oil sales to drive the changes that absolutely must happen in Venezuela."

Wright said he is in discussions with U.S. oil companies to identify conditions under which they can enter the South American nation, adding that they want to sell Venezuelan crude oil to U.S. refineries.

"We're going to put the crude oil that's produced in Venezuela on the market," Wright said. "We'll start with the stored oil that's already been built up, and then we plan to continue to market the oil that's produced in Venezuela."

He also added, "We're going to allow in imports of parts, equipment and services to stop the industrial collapse and stabilize production. And then, of course, over the long term, we're going to create the conditions for major U.S. companies to be able to come in."

Secretary Wright made these remarks on Wednesday at the Goldman Sachs Energy, Clean Tech and Utilities Conference in Miami.

Last weekend, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would "operate" Venezuela after U.S. troops ousted Nicolas Maduro.

CEOs of U.S. oil companies are scheduled to visit the White House later this week to discuss ways to revive Venezuela's collapsed oil industry.

U.S. NNP=Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com