Trump Announces Venezuela Will Turn Over Between 30M - 50M Barrels of Sanctioned Oil To America

United States President Donald Trump announced last night (Wednesday 7th January, 2026) that Venezuela will be providing between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S. According to the President, this oil will be “sold at its market price” and he would take control of the money in order to ensure it benefits both the people of Venezuela and the U.S. He added that this oil will be “taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.”

The planned action comes days after Nicolás Maduro was dramatically captured in Caracas by American special forces.

The announcement was made via Truth Social, in which President Trump stated: 

“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. 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! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Venezuela’s former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was officially sworn in on Monday (5th January, 2026) as the country’s new interim President.

More on this as it becomes available.