This declaration made on Tuesday followed news from Caracas regarding the fatalities of at least 24 Venezuelan security personnel during a covert US military operation aimed at capturing Nicolás Maduro and transporting him to the US to face drug-related charges.
Trump shared on Truth Social that the oil “will be transported by storage ships and delivered directly to unloading docks in the United States.” He indicated that while he would control the funds as president, their use would benefit the people of both Venezuela and the United States.
In a separate development, the White House is arranging an Oval Office meeting for Friday with executives from oil companies, including representatives from Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, as per a source familiar with the plans who requested anonymity.
Earlier on Tuesday, Venezuelan officials revealed the death toll from the Maduro raid as the acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, countered Trump’s earlier comments, warning her of a fate worse than Maduro’s if she fails to align Venezuela with US interests. Trump has stated that his administration will now oversee Venezuela policy and is urging local leaders to open up their abundant oil reserves to American energy firms.
During an address to government representatives from the agricultural and industrial sectors, Rodriguez remarked, “Personally, to those who threaten me: My destiny is not determined by them, but by God.” Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab reported that “dozens” of officers and civilians were killed in the recent strike in Caracas and noted that prosecutors would investigate the fatalities, which he described as a “war crime.” He did not clarify if this estimate pertained solely to Venezuelans.
In conjunction with the deaths of Venezuelan security forces, the Cuban government previously confirmed that 32 Cuban military and police personnel operating in Venezuela were also killed in the raid. The Cuban authorities stated that the deceased belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, the two primary security entities in the country.
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According to the Pentagon, seven US service members suffered injuries during the operation, with five already back on duty while two remain in recovery. The injuries reported included gunshot and shrapnel wounds, as per a US official who spoke under the condition of anonymity.
A video tribute to the fallen Venezuelan security officials was shared on the military’s Instagram account, showcasing images of the deceased alongside black-and-white clips of soldiers, American aircraft flying over Caracas, and destroyed armored vehicles. Meanwhile, the streets of Caracas, which had been quiet for days following Maduro’s apprehension, briefly filled with crowds waving Venezuelan flags and celebrating to patriotic tunes at a government-organized event in support of the administration.
Speaking before a House Republican retreat in Washington, Trump expressed frustration that Democrats failed to give him credit for a successful military operation, despite bipartisan acknowledgment that Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela.
In 2020, Maduro was indicted in the US on charges related to a long-standing narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. White House officials have highlighted that during Biden’s final days in office, the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest was increased after he began a third term amid claims of electoral fraud in the most recent Venezuelan elections. The Trump administration had previously doubled this reward to $50 million in August.
“You know, at some point, they should say, You know, you did a great job. Thank you. Congratulations.’ Wouldn’t it be nice?” Trump commented. “I would certainly acknowledge their success, even if our philosophies differ. If they performed well, I would be pleased for the country. They have pursued this individual for many years.” With oil currently trading at approximately $56 a barrel, the deal Trump announced could potentially total around $2.8 billion. The US averages a daily consumption of about 20 million barrels of oil and related products, meaning Venezuela’s contribution could represent up to two and a half days of supply, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
