Venezuela to turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to US: Trump
US President Donald Trump says the interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of what he terms high-quality sanctioned oil to America.
Posting on social media, Trump says the oil will be sold at market price.
Earlier, the Washington Post reported that the US government estimated that 75 people died in Caracas during a military raid in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was abducted.
President Trump suggested that the money paid for the oil would then be controlled by him to ensure the benefit to the people of Venezuela and the United States.
He further indicated that he had tasked his Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, saying the oil would be “taken” in storage ships directly to unloading docks in the United States.
The White House is also reportedly planning to host on Friday representatives from several energy companies and oil producers to ventilate the question of investments in Venezuela’s oil sector.
The timeline for the announced oil deliveries has not been confirmed.
President Donald J. Trump announces 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. pic.twitter.com/08qI7MvCpk
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 7, 2026