Following the dramatic capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces on January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump announced a major energy move on Tuesday. He stated that Venezuela’s “interim authorities” will transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of “high-quality, sanctioned” oil to the United States.
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1. The Oil Deal: “Controlled by Me”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined a plan to bypass traditional trade routes and bring Venezuelan crude directly to American shores.
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Immediate Execution: Energy Secretary Chris Wright has been directed to deploy storage ships to bring the oil directly to U.S. unloading docks.
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Proceeds: The oil will be sold at market prices (currently around $56/barrel), with Trump asserting that the resulting revenue—estimated up to $2.8 billion—will be “controlled by me as President” to benefit both nations.
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Volume Context: While 50 million barrels sounds massive, it represents roughly two-and-a-half days of total U.S. oil consumption. Analysts note much of this oil is already in storage or on vessels previously stalled by sanctions.
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2. Diplomatic Tension: Delcy Rodríguez vs. The White House
The political transition in Caracas remains volatile as Delcy Rodríguez (Maduro’s former Vice President) attempts to hold power.
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Defiance: On Tuesday, Rodríguez rejected Trump’s claim that Washington is “running” Venezuela, declaring, “The government of Venezuela is in charge… no foreign agent is governing.
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Mourning Period: She has declared seven days of national mourning for those killed in the U.S. raid.
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The “Olive Branch”: Despite her rhetoric, Rodríguez has previously invited “cooperation,” a tightrope walk as she faces Trump’s threat of a “fate worse than Maduro’s” if she fails to comply with U.S. energy demands.
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3. The Human Cost of “Operation Absolute Resolve”
Reports from Caracas and Havana provide the first confirmed death tolls from the weekend’s military strikes.
| Group | Reported Fatalities | Details |
| Venezuelan Forces | 23–24 | Includes five high-ranking generals. |
| Cuban Personnel | 32 | Military and police stationed as Maduro’s security detail. |
| Total Estimated | ~75 | US assessments include civilians caught in the crossfire. |
| US Forces | 7 Injured | Five have already returned to duty. |
4. What’s Next: The Friday “Oil Summit”
The White House is organizing a high-level meeting this Friday (January 9, 2026) in the Oval Office to discuss the future of Venezuela’s energy sector.
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Attendees: Executives from ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are expected.
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The Goal: Trump is pushing for billions in private U.S. investment to repair Venezuela’s “creaking” infrastructure.14 He has even suggested that U.S. taxpayers might initially reimburse companies for these repairs.
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