In a statement on Truth Social, Donald Trump said Venezuela could export 30–50 million barrels of "high-quality oil under sanctions" to the United States. According to him, the oil would be sold at market prices, and the proceeds would be under his personal control to serve the Venezuelan people and U.S. interests.
Trump indicated that he has instructed U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to urgently implement this plan. The oil would be delivered directly to U.S. ports by sea.
This statement came just days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3. The Trump administration has recently been accusing Caracas of involvement in drug trafficking, while Venezuela has been accusing the U.S. of attempting to seize the country's natural resources.
For reference, Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves and was one of the main oil suppliers to the U.S. until 2005.
