Summary:
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Trump says Venezuela will send 30–50m barrels of oil to the U.S.
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Proceeds from sales to be controlled by the U.S. administration
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Move follows U.S. capture of Maduro and international backlash
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Talks underway to redirect Venezuelan crude exports into U.S. markets
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Oil companies may be tapped to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector
President Donald Trump announced via social media that interim authorities in Venezuela have agreed to transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned crude oil to the United States, in a move that underscores Washington’s broader efforts to secure energy resources amid geopolitical upheaval. In a string of posts on Jan. 6, Trump said the oil will be sold at market prices and proceeds will be under his control, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright tasked with executing the plan.
According to multiple news reports, this development follows the dramatic U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation that has drawn global criticism and heightened tensions in Latin America. While U.S. officials characterize the action as a law-enforcement mission, many governments and international bodies have condemned it as a violation of sovereignty and international law.
The proposed transfer of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. comes amid ongoing talks — separate from the social-media announcement — between Washington and Caracas to redirect crude exports originally bound for other markets into the United States, potentially easing supply strains and offering relief for U.S. energy security. Analysts say such a shift could help offset production shortfalls elsewhere, although the legality and long-term viability of these arrangements are highly contested.
Oil markets have responded unevenly, with some price volatility reflecting uncertainty about the pace and scale of Venezuelan crude flows. U.S. oil companies are reportedly preparing to discuss potential roles in reviving Venezuela’s dilapidated oil infrastructure, a task likely to require billions in investment and face political as well as operational obstacles.
Critics argue that directing sanctioned Venezuelan oil into U.S
