Trump Claims Venezuela to Transfer Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to the US

Washington: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela will hand over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States, which will be sold at prevailing market prices.

Trump said the proceeds from the sale would be personally overseen by him in his capacity as U.S. President and utilized for the benefit of both the American and Venezuelan people.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that he has instructed U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to implement the plan without delay. According to the announcement, the oil—described as high-quality but currently under sanctions—will be transported via storage tankers and delivered directly to unloading docks in the United States.

“I am very pleased to announce that Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality sanctioned oil to the United States,” Trump wrote. “This oil will be sold at market value, and the funds will be controlled by me as President to ensure they are used for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the United States.”

This development follows Trump’s recent claim that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured through a military operation and brought to the United States. Analysts note that the volume of oil referenced by Trump is equivalent to 30 to 50 days of Venezuela’s oil production prior to U.S. sanctions. According to a Bloomberg report, the consignment could be valued at more than $2.8 billion.

The United States currently produces approximately 13.8 million barrels of oil per day, but Venezuela’s vast untapped reserves continue to attract Washington’s attention. Once a major global oil producer in the 1970s, Venezuela’s output declined sharply due to prolonged sanctions, mismanagement, and economic turmoil.

U.S. officials are reportedly exerting pressure to open Venezuela’s extensive oil reserves to American energy companies. In this context, the White House is expected to host a closed-door meeting with senior executives from major energy firms, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, to discuss the evolving situation in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim leadership has pushed back against external pressure. Interim Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said that those issuing personal threats against her should remember that “it is God—not political adversaries—who determines one’s fate.”