Trump Says Venezuela to Ship Up to 50M Barrels of Oil to US

DID Press: US military action that abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been followed by a major energy announcement: President Donald Trump said the current authorities in Caracas have agreed to deliver between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned, high-quality crude oil to the United States.

According to Trump, the shipments will be transferred “immediately” to U.S. ports and sold at market value, with revenues to be used “for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the United States.”

The transfer plan marks one of the first major economic steps taken by the interim authorities. Trump said the U.S. energy secretary has been tasked with overseeing rapid implementation of the program, under which the oil will be shipped directly from storage vessels to loading terminals in the United States.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the oil would be “sold at market price,” adding that the proceeds would be monitored under his direction to ensure they serve “the people of both countries.”

The announcement follows the controversial U.S. operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture. While the Trump administration highlights potential economic benefits and the “rebuilding of Venezuela’s oil sector,” critics at home and abroad have questioned the legality of the transfers, U.S. control over resulting revenues, and the long-term political implications.