Donald Trump, president of the United States, says Venezuela’s interim authorities have agreed to transfer millions of barrels of oil to the United States.
Trump announced the development on Wednesday via his Truth Social account, revealing that the interim Venezuelan government would hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of “high-quality, sanctioned oil” to the United States.
The US president said the crude, which is currently under sanctions, would be sold at prevailing international market prices.
He added that the revenue from the sales would be managed by his administration and used in ways that benefit both Venezuelan and American citizens.
Trump added that he had directed US Energy Secretary Chris Wright to act quickly to put the agreement into effect.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“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.”
He said he had asked Wright to “execute this plan, immediately” and that the oil would be transported on storage vessels directly to unloading docks in the United States.
The announcement follows a recent US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has since been taken to the United States to face federal charges.
Maduro’s detention led to the emergence of Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s vice-president, as interim president, although her government has publicly asserted that Venezuelan authorities remain in charge of the country.