Trump's Plan for 30 Million Barrels of Venezuelan Oil Doesn't Add Up
Joe Lancaster | 1.8.2026 10:00 AM
Since deposing Nicolás Maduro and pledging to "run" his country, President Donald Trump has made it clear the U.S. will take a major role in Venezuela's oil production. Many of the details remain murky, but much of what has been revealed so far doesn't pass the smell test.
"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 posted on Truth Social. "It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States." The oil, he added, "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."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio later told........© Reason.com

Toi Staff
Sabine Sterk
Gideon Levy
Mark Travers Ph.d
Waka Ikeda
Tarik Cyril Amar
Grant Arthur Gochin