Trump Says Venezuela to Release Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to U.S.

199

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela has agreed to release between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.

 

Trump made the claim in a social media post on Wednesday, following the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is reportedly standing trial in New York. The operation, carried out by U.S. elite forces on January 3, also led to the arrest of Maduro’s wife and has sparked global reactions.

 

In the aftermath of the operation, Trump declared that the United States would assume control of Venezuela and oversee its vast oil reserves.

 

According to Trump, the oil to be released will be sold at market price, with the proceeds managed by him to benefit both Venezuela and the United States.

 

“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 wrote. “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.”

 

His comments came a day after Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former vice-president, was sworn in as interim president.

 

Trump warned Rodríguez that she could face severe consequences if she fails to cooperate with the United States, saying she could “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”

 

At her first cabinet meeting on Sunday, Rodríguez struck a conciliatory tone, expressing willingness to work with Washington.

 

“We invite the U.S. government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law,” she said.

In a separate interview with The Atlantic, Trump reiterated his stance, arguing that political change in Venezuela was preferable to the status quo.

 

“Regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now,” he said. “It can’t get any worse.”