In a development that blends geopolitics with religious rhetoric, a prominent MAGA-aligned pastor has publicly declared that God has sanctioned the United States' move to take control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. This claim comes in direct support of former President Donald Trump's recent announcement about securing millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil.
Trump's Announcement on Truth Social
Former US President Donald Trump set the stage for the controversy with a detailed post on his Truth Social platform. He stated that he was pleased to announce a deal with Venezuela's Interim Authorities. The arrangement involves turning over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality, sanctioned oil to the United States.
Trump outlined that this oil would be sold at market price, with the proceeds controlled directly by him, as President, to ensure the money benefits both the people of Venezuela and the United States. He directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, specifying that storage ships would transport the oil directly to US unloading docks.
Pastor Hank Kunneman's Divine Defense
Following Trump's announcement, Pastor Hank Kunneman, a known supporter of the former president, offered a spiritual defense from his pulpit. Addressing critics who accuse the US of seizing Venezuela for its oil, Kunneman stated, "Yes, this is true that there is that which has been brought to the forefront of this earthy battle."
He framed the conflict in spiritual terms, alleging that dark forces sought to use Venezuela's oil to bring war and establish a one-world order. Kunneman asserted that both spiritual and natural oil belong to God, who is now enacting a divine "reset." He concluded by directly quoting a divine mandate: "'This is my reset. And the oil of the natural and the oil of the spirit is mine says the Lord.'" This proclamation positions the US action as not merely political but as a fulfillment of a higher purpose.
Global Reactions and Implications
Trump's initial statement on January 7, 2026, sparked immediate reactions from across the globe, highlighting the sensitive nature of resource control and international sovereignty. The involvement of a religious figure like Kunneman adds a unique and contentious layer to the discourse, merging faith with foreign policy in an unprecedented manner.
The claim of divine endorsement for the control of another nation's natural resources is likely to fuel further debate on the intersection of religion and statecraft, while the practical implications of the proposed oil transfer remain a subject of intense geopolitical scrutiny.
