U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States.
In a post shared on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, Trump said the oil would be sold at global market rates, with proceeds placed under U.S. control to ensure the funds are used in the interest of both Venezuela and the United States.
Trump said he had instructed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to begin implementing the plan without delay. According to him, the oil will be transported via storage vessels and delivered directly to unloading ports in the United States.
The announcement follows Trump’s declaration that Washington would assume oversight of Venezuela’s affairs until a political transition is completed in the South American country.
Earlier this month, U.S. authorities announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was flown to New York to face charges related to narco-terrorism. Trump claimed the operation had significantly disrupted drug trafficking routes, alleging that a large share of illicit drugs transported by sea originated from Venezuela.
The developments mark a dramatic shift in U.S.–Venezuela relations and raise questions about the future control of the country’s vast oil resources as political uncertainty continues.
