Trump claims Venezuela’s interim authorities to supply up to 50 million barrels of oil to US after Maduro capture
PTC Web Desk: US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuela’s so-called “Interim Authorities” have agreed to provide between 30 million and 50 million barrels of “high-quality” oil to the United States at prevailing market rates, following a dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the oil would be stored on ships and transported directly to unloading ports in the United States. He added that the proceeds from the transaction would be overseen by him as president and used for the benefit of both the American and Venezuelan people.
The announcement came amid rising tensions after officials in Caracas confirmed that at least 24 Venezuelan security personnel were killed during a late-night US raid aimed at detaining Maduro and transferring him to the United States, where he faces longstanding drug trafficking charges.
According to people familiar with the matter, the White House is also planning a high-level Oval Office meeting on Friday with top oil executives to discuss Venezuela. Representatives from major US energy companies, including Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, are expected to attend.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, strongly condemned Washington’s actions, accusing the US of interference and issuing a defiant response to Trump’s warnings that she could face consequences worse than Maduro’s if she failed to realign Venezuela with US interests. Addressing government officials on Tuesday, Rodríguez said her future was “determined by God, not by threats.”
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab said several people, including civilians and security forces, were killed in the operation and described the strike as a potential “war crime,” adding that prosecutors would investigate the deaths. He did not clarify whether the casualty figures referred exclusively to Venezuelan nationals.
Cuba also confirmed that 32 of its military and police personnel stationed in Venezuela were killed during the raid. Meanwhile, the US Pentagon said seven American service members were injured, with five already returning to duty and two still recovering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
In Caracas, streets that had remained largely empty since Maduro’s capture briefly saw crowds gathering for a state-organised show of support, with people waving national flags and playing patriotic music.
Trump, meanwhile, dismissed criticism from Democrats, arguing that even the previous Biden administration had pursued Maduro on drug charges. With global oil prices hovering around USD 56 per barrel, analysts estimate the proposed oil transfer could be valued at up to USD 2.8 billion, roughly equivalent to just over two days of total US oil consumption.
- With inputs from agencies
