Trump Announces Venezuela to Supply Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to the U.S

CNBC | January 07, 2026 at 12:16 AM UTC
Bullish 81% Confidence Majority Agreement
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Key Points

  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright has been directed to immediately execute the plan using storage ships to transport the oil directly to U.S. unloading docks
  • Trump stated he will personally control the proceeds from selling the oil at market price to ensure funds benefit both Venezuelan and American people
  • The oil transfer comes three days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who are now charged in a federal drug-trafficking conspiracy case

AI Summary

Summary

President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela's interim authorities will transfer between 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. The oil will be sold at market price, with proceeds controlled by Trump to benefit both Venezuelan and American citizens.

Key Details:

  • Volume: 30-50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil
  • Pricing: Market rate
  • Execution: Energy Secretary Chris Wright tasked with immediate implementation
  • Logistics: Oil to be transported via storage ships directly to U.S. unloading docks
  • Revenue Control: Funds managed by the U.S. President

Context:

The announcement follows the recent capture of Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces in Caracas three days prior. Both were transported to New York to face federal drug-trafficking conspiracy charges.

Market Implications:

This substantial oil transfer could impact global crude markets, potentially adding significant supply to U.S. inventories. At current market prices (approximately $70-80/barrel), the transaction value could range from $2.1 billion to $4 billion. The influx of Venezuelan crude may provide downward pressure on U.S. oil prices and affect domestic producers.

The deal represents a major shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations and could influence OPEC+ supply dynamics. Energy sector stakeholders should monitor execution details and timing, as the physical delivery of 30-50 million barrels represents a substantial volume that could affect regional refinery operations and storage capacity utilization.

The situation remains developing, with implementation details and market impact still unfolding.

Model Analysis Breakdown

Model Sentiment Confidence
GPT-5-mini Neutral 75%
Claude 4.5 Haiku Bullish 78%
Gemini 2.5 Flash Bullish 90%
Consensus Bullish 81%