President Donald Trump announced on January 6, 2026, that Venezuela's interim authorities will transfer 30-50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States, to be sold at market prices with proceeds controlled by him for mutual benefit. Energy Secretary Chris Wright received orders for immediate execution via storage vessels to US Gulf refineries, amid plans for major oil firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil to invest billions rebuilding infrastructure.
Trump projects full Venezuelan production revival within 18 months, positioning US companies for dominance in the world's largest reserves while lowering global prices. The pre-extracted oil much already on ships fuels his "hemisphere dominance" post-raid rhetoric, despite low domestic approval (33%) for the Maduro operation.
Acting leader Delcy Rodríguez faces cooperation pressure under US naval presence, as Trump meets oil executives Friday without detailed reimbursement mechanisms. Critics decry resource grabs echoing Greenland ambitions, while Nigeria's ADC laments diplomatic silence.
Venezuela's dilapidated sector output crashed under Maduro promises windfalls, but analysts warn years-long challenges despite Trump's optimism. Polls reflect American wariness amid 2026 midterms.