NAIROBI, Kenya- Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump announced, in a move that could redirect sanctioned crude supplies and reshape aspects of Washington-Caracas energy cooperation.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump said the oil, described as “high-quality, sanctioned oil,” will be sold in the United States at market prices, with the revenue from the sales to be managed by him as president to ensure it benefits both the people of Venezuela and Americans.
Trump directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan “immediately,” saying the oil will be loaded from storage ships and transported directly to U.S. unloading docks. The president did not provide detailed timelines for the transfers.
The barrels represent oil that has been held in storage or on tankers because of a U.S. export blockade imposed on Venezuela since mid-December 2025, part of a broader U.S. strategy to exert pressure on the Venezuelan government.
🚨 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.
Redirecting this crude for sale in the U.S. market also reflects ongoing discussions about reintegrating Venezuelan oil into global supply chains after years of sanctions.
Trump’s announcement comes amid broader geopolitical developments in Venezuela, including heightened U.S. involvement in the country’s political landscape and previous pressure on Caracas over oil exports.
The interim authorities in Venezuela agreed to the arrangement as part of negotiations that also involved encouraging U.S. and private companies to engage with the nation’s energy sector.
The shift is likely to have a modest impact on global oil supply given the scale relative to daily consumption, but it underscores efforts to capitalise on Venezuela’s vast reserves, which are among the world’s largest.
The 30–50 million barrels equate to a relatively small share of global output, though the symbolic and commercial implications for U.S.–Venezuela energy ties are significant.
Trump said he envisages Venezuelan and U.S. interests converging on energy infrastructure development, with potential engagement from U.S. oil companies to help rebuild Venezuela’s oil production capacity after years of underinvestment and sanctions.
He also said proceeds would be used to aid Venezuela’s recovery and support U.S. interests, though details on oversight and distribution of funds were not fully outlined.
The announcement drew immediate market reaction, with U.S. crude benchmarks showing modest price adjustments following the news.
Venezuelan officials have not publicly commented on the specifics of the oil transfer agreement, and it remains unclear how the arrangement will be formalised or whether additional diplomatic or regulatory hurdles could affect implementation.
