Former US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by suggesting that the United States could "take over" oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, a statement that has raised eyebrows among legal and energy experts.
During a recent speech, Trump referenced findings from the US Geological Survey (USGS), which estimates vast untapped oil and gas deposits in the region. "We have more oil than anybody, and frankly, we could just take it," he claimed, without elaborating on the legal or diplomatic implications.
Legal and Diplomatic Concerns
Experts argue that such a move would violate international law, as the Gulf of Mexico is shared by the US, Mexico, and Cuba under maritime boundaries established by treaties. "This isn’t the Wild West—you can’t just claim resources in international waters," said one energy policy analyst.
USGS Findings
The USGS report Trump cited estimates nearly 50 billion barrels of undiscovered oil in the Gulf, a figure that has attracted interest from energy companies. However, extracting these reserves would require cooperation between nations, not unilateral action.
Critics warn that Trump’s rhetoric could strain relations with Mexico and Cuba, while supporters argue it reflects a "strong America-first energy policy."
