Trump says Venezuela will provide 30–50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. at market price.
Trump says U.S. to buy Venezuelan oil market-price
U.S. President says Energy Secretary Chris Wright will execute plan immediately, announcing directive in a social media post.
President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that “Interim Authorities” in Venezuela would supply the United States with between 30 million and 50 million barrels of what he described as “high-quality” oil, to be sold at prevailing market prices. The announcement was made on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, and Trump said he has instructed **U.S.
According to Trump’s post, the oil would be loaded onto storage vessels and shipped directly to U.S. ports. He said the proceeds from the sales would be managed by his administration and used in ways that benefit both Venezuelan citizens and the American people. Trump framed the move as a pragmatic step that combines energy security with political transition in Venezuela.
The statement came just hours after officials in Caracas confirmed that at least 24 Venezuelan security personnel were killed during a **late-night U.S. authorities later confirmed that Maduro had been flown to the United States to face long-standing federal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses.
Venezuelan officials described the operation as a surprise raid conducted under cover of darkness. Acting leaders in Caracas condemned the action, calling it a direct assault on Venezuelan sovereignty. Government representatives said those killed included members of elite security units tasked with protecting senior leadership.
In response to the deaths, Venezuelan interim officials declared a period of national mourning and accused Washington of violating international law. They also rejected the legitimacy of any oil arrangements announced by Trump, arguing that such decisions should be made through internationally recognized diplomatic channels rather than military force.
Trump, however, defended both the operation and the oil agreement. In his post, he said the removal of Maduro marked the end of what he described as a “narco-state” and claimed the interim authorities were acting in the best interests of the Venezuelan people. He emphasized that the oil would be sold at market price, not seized without compensation, and insisted the transaction was legal under U.S. authority.
The oil supply announcement immediately drew attention from global energy markets. Analysts noted that 30 to 50 million barrels represents a sizable volume, though not enough on its own to dramatically alter global oil prices. Still, the move could have short-term implications for U.S. supply levels and refinery planning, especially if shipments are executed quickly.
Within the United States, reaction has been sharply divided. Supporters of the president praised the move as decisive leadership that strengthens U.S. energy security while weakening an adversarial regime. Critics, however, raised concerns about the lack of congressional authorization for the military operation and questioned the legality of managing foreign oil revenues through executive action alone.
Internationally, several governments expressed alarm at the escalation. Diplomats warned that the combination of military intervention and control over natural resources could set a dangerous precedent, potentially destabilizing the region and undermining established norms of international conduct.
As events continue to unfold, uncertainty remains over how Venezuela’s political transition will proceed, how the oil shipments will be executed, and whether the situation will lead to broader diplomatic or economic consequences. What is clear is that the developments mark one of the most dramatic moments in U.S.–Venezuela relations in decades, with implications reaching far beyond energy markets alone.