Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30–50 million barrels of oil to the United States
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim government will transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States following the capture of former dictator Nicolás Maduro. The oil, described by Trump as “high quality,” will be delivered immediately to U.S. ports using storage tankers.
Trump stated the oil would be sold at market price, and that the proceeds would be controlled directly by his administration. “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, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States,” Trump posted. He has directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan without delay.
The oil shipment represents about one and a half to two and a half days of total U.S. consumption, based on America’s average use of roughly 20 million barrels per day. Venezuela, once producing more than 3 million barrels daily under pre-Chávez leadership, now produces around 900,000 to 1.1 million barrels per day, highlighting the toll taken by years of socialist mismanagement.
Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez, sworn in Monday, has shifted her tone in recent days. Initially critical of the U.S. operation to seize Maduro, Rodríguez has since called for cooperation and dialogue between Caracas and Washington. On Sunday, she emphasized the importance of moving toward “balanced and respectful international relations” and invited the United States to pursue “shared development.”
Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro loyalist, has a controversial past. She was previously sanctioned by both the U.S. and European Union for her role in propping up the Maduro regime. Known for her fierce loyalty, she once held multiple top government roles including vice president, foreign minister, and minister of petroleum.
Despite diplomatic overtures from Rodríguez, conditions on the ground in Venezuela remain volatile. Reports emerged Tuesday that plainclothes gunmen tied to the pro-Maduro “Colectivos” were stopping vehicles and searching citizens for signs of support for the U.S.-led removal of Maduro. Police were also reportedly instructed to detain anyone suspected of backing the operation.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado warned that Rodríguez cannot be trusted. She referred to her as one of the key architects of state corruption and narco-terrorism, and said that despite the interim title, Rodríguez remains widely rejected by the Venezuelan people.
Trump’s announcement marks a major shift in U.S. energy policy in Latin America, as the White House continues to tighten its control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves following Maduro’s ousting. With deliveries now en route, the administration appears determined to steer both the country’s future and its resources in a new direction.