Washington, D.C., January 17, 2026
The US President Donald Trump has revealed that Venezuela has offered Washington 50 million barrels of oil, valued at $5.2 billion, and he has agreed to the deal. Trump made the announcement during a ceremony where Southern Boulevard was renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard.
Speaking at the event, Trump said Venezuela’s new leadership approached the United States with an urgent request to process the oil immediately due to storage limitations.
According to Trump:
“They said, ‘We have 50 million barrels and we need it processed right away. Will you take it?’ I said, ‘Yes, we’ll take it.’ It’s worth $5.2 billion.”
Trump Praises Relations With Venezuela’s Interim Government
Trump also highlighted what he described as “excellent relations” with Venezuela’s interim government, formed after the US-backed military operation that led to the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.
He said the new Venezuelan leadership has been cooperative and that tensions between Washington and Caracas have eased significantly.
Reports of Oil Deal Emerged Earlier
The announcement aligns with recent reporting from Semafor, which indicated that the United States had already purchased an initial batch of Venezuelan oil worth $500 million following Maduro’s arrest.
Trump had previously stated that Washington needed full access to Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and resources while the country undergoes political transition under US oversight.
Revenue Deposited in US-Controlled Accounts
According to Semafor, citing senior administration officials:
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Revenue from the Venezuelan oil sales is being deposited into bank accounts controlled by the US government.
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One of the primary accounts is reportedly located in Qatar.
The arrangement is part of Washington’s broader strategy to stabilize Venezuela’s economy while redirecting funds away from former regime networks.
Why Trump Wants US Companies to Invest in Venezuelan Oil
A CNN report notes that Venezuela holds 303 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, nearly 20% of the world’s known reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Trump recently stated he intends to mobilize major US oil companies to invest billions of dollars in restoring Venezuela’s deteriorated oil infrastructure, signaling an aggressive push to re-establish American influence in the region’s energy sector.
What Comes Next
The full details of the 50-million-barrel deal, processing logistics and long-term economic implications are still emerging. US officials are expected to release additional information once internal assessments are completed.
For now, Trump’s announcement marks a major development in the evolving relationship between Washington and post-Maduro Venezuela.
