Trump Claims Venezuela Will Send Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to U.S. After Maduro’s Capture

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Venezuela’s interim government will hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, following Washington’s military intervention in the oil-rich South American nation earlier this month.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Mr. Trump said the oil would be transferred as part of what he described as a new arrangement with Venezuela’s interim authorities, after U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro during a night-time operation on January 3. According to reports in the American media, the attack resulted in the deaths of at least 75 people, including several Cuban nationals.

“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,” Mr. Trump wrote. He added that the oil would be shipped directly to U.S. ports and sold at market prices.

Mr. Trump claimed that the proceeds from the sale would be placed under his control to ensure the money is used “for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the United States.” However, he did not clarify what Venezuela would receive in return for the oil, nor did he provide a clear timeline for when shipments would begin.

Soon after the military operation, Mr. Trump had declared that the United States would effectively “run” Venezuela for the time being and said American oil companies would be encouraged to return and invest in the country’s energy sector. His comments were later softened by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said Washington did not intend to govern Venezuela directly but would push for changes through sanctions and a naval quarantine, which is currently restricting oil tankers entering and leaving the country.

Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, rejected claims of foreign control over the country. Speaking days after the U.S. attack, she insisted that Venezuela remained sovereign and that no outside power was governing it. “The government of Venezuela is in charge in our country, and no one else,” she said, according to international news agencies.

At the same time, Ms. Rodríguez has sent mixed signals about her willingness to cooperate with Washington. While she has spoken about peaceful coexistence and dialogue, she has also pushed back strongly against U.S. demands, especially those related to Venezuela’s oil reserves.

Mr. Trump, however, has maintained that the United States is now effectively “in charge” and has warned Ms. Rodríguez to comply with his administration’s conditions. He said he had instructed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to immediately arrange for the oil to be transported by storage ships to unloading docks in the United States.

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves but currently produces less than one million barrels a day. At that rate, producing 50 million barrels would take more than two months. At current global prices of around $60 per barrel, the oil shipment would be worth roughly $3 billion.

Mr. Maduro, who remains in U.S. custody, is facing charges related to what Washington has described as “narco-terrorism.” The Venezuelan government has not officially confirmed Mr. Trump’s claims regarding the oil transfer.

As tensions continue to rise, analysts say the situation raises serious questions about sovereignty, international law, and control over one of the world’s most valuable energy reserves.