President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Venezuela would hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States, saying the proceeds would be controlled by him and used to benefit both countries.
Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, days after US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicols Maduro, an operation that dramatically reshaped the country’s political landscape.
“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” Trump wrote. “This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America.”
Trump said the funds would be used “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States,” marking an extraordinary assertion of presidential control over foreign oil revenues.
According to Trump, the oil transfer would be executed immediately. He said he had directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to carry out the plan, adding that the oil would be transported by storage ships and unloaded directly at US ports.
“I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately,” Trump wrote. “It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.”
The announcement came as Washington continues to frame the removal of Maduro as a turning point for Venezuela, with the White House and Trump allies portraying the move as both a political and economic reset.
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