Trump Says Venezuela Will Transfer 30–50 Million Barrels of Oil to U.S.

President Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela would begin sending oil to the United States after American forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, a claim the Venezuelan government has not commented on. Mr. Trump said the shipment would total 30 million to 50 million barrels — about two months’ worth of production — and that he would control the profits “to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.” At current market prices, that quantity would be worth roughly $1.8 billion to $3 billion, though it is unclear if Venezuela would receive anything in return.

A partial U.S. blockade has already curtailed Venezuela’s energy exports. The announcement provoked international pushback: China’s foreign ministry called U.S. demands “a classic act of bullying.” The situation at sea has been tense as well. The U.S. has pursued tankers that tried to break the blockade, and at least one vessel — known until recently as the Bella 1 and now called the Marinera — was reported escorted by a Russian naval vessel after being reflagged, part of a pattern of ships in a so-called shadow fleet shifting to Russian registration.

U.S. officials are pressing Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, for “total access” to the country’s oil industry and to expel advisers from China, Russia, Cuba and Iran; Ms.

Key Topics

World, Donald Trump, Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, Shadow Fleet