United States President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela’s interim authorities will transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, describing the move as part of Washington’s oversight of the country during its ongoing political transition.
Trump made the disclosure on Wednesday via a post on Truth Social, stating that the oil would be sold at prevailing market prices and that the proceeds would be managed by the US government.
According to him, the revenues would be deployed in a manner that benefits both Venezuelans and Americans.
“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 said.
He added that he had directed Chris Wright, the US Secretary of Energy, to immediately implement the arrangement.
“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,” he stated.
Trump further explained that the crude would be transported via storage vessels and delivered directly to unloading terminals in the United States.
The announcement follows Trump’s earlier declaration that the United States would assume temporary oversight of Venezuela’s affairs pending the completion of a political transition.
On January 3, US forces arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to New York, where he is currently facing charges related to alleged narco-terrorism activities.
Trump claimed that US actions had significantly reduced the flow of illegal drugs into the country, alleging that a substantial portion of narcotics trafficked by sea originated from Venezuela.
The developments have intensified international attention on Venezuela’s political future and the legality of US involvement in the country’s governance and energy resources.
