Trump says Venezuela will send millions of barrels of oil to the U.S.

President Trump said on Tuesday night that Venezuela would begin sending oil to the United States after American forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, a move the New York Times described as a significant concession by Venezuela’s new leaders. The Venezuelan government has not commented on Mr.

Trump’s announcement. Mr. Trump said Venezuela would transfer 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil — about two months’ worth of current production — and that he would control the profits “to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.” Based on his claim and current market prices, the paper said the oil would be worth between $1.8 billion and $3 billion, and it noted it was unclear if Venezuela would receive anything in return.

A partial U.S. blockade has already curtailed Venezuelan energy exports, and China criticized the U.S. demand as “a classic act of bullying,” a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry said. The report also described broader friction surrounding Venezuelan oil: the U.S. has been pursuing tankers that tried to evade the blockade, and at least one such vessel, known until recently as the Bella 1 and now the Marinera, was met and escorted by a Russian naval vessel, according to a U.S.

official. Several tankers operating in Venezuelan waters have reflagged to Russia in recent days, and U.S. officials said they are pressing Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, to expel advisers from China, Cuba, Iran and Russia. Key questions remain.

Key Topics

World, Donald Trump, Venezuelan Oil, Nicolás Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, Russia