In a significant development that intertwines energy diplomacy with military action, US President Donald Trump has declared a major petroleum agreement with Venezuela. The announcement comes amidst heightened tensions following a controversial US military operation in the South American nation.
Trump Announces Major Oil Supply Deal
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, President Trump stated that Venezuela would supply between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States. He projected the value of this potential shipment at a staggering $2.8 billion. Addressing Republican lawmakers at their annual policy retreat in Washington, Trump framed the deal as mutually beneficial.
The US President asserted that the proceeds from this massive sale would be strategically used "to benefit the people" of both Venezuela and the United States. To advance this initiative, the White House has scheduled a critical meeting for Friday, January 9, 2026. Executives from leading American oil giants Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are set to convene and discuss the future of Venezuela's vast, yet struggling, oil sector under the Trump administration's plans.
Deadly US Operation and Venezuelan Backlash
This oil announcement is shadowed by a recent and lethal US military intervention. According to officials in Caracas, at least 24 Venezuelan security personnel were killed during a late-night American operation. The stated objective of this mission was to capture Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro, and extradite him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
Venezuela's acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, swiftly rejected Trump's remarks regarding the oil deal, signalling deep-seated distrust and ongoing political strife between the two governments.
Trump's Scathing Attack on Maduro
During his address, President Trump launched a fierce verbal assault on the deposed Venezuelan leader. He labelled Maduro a "violent guy" and boasted about the supremacy of the American military in carrying out the capture operation in Caracas.
In his remarks delivered at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Centre, Trump made severe allegations. "They've been after this guy for years and years and years, and, you know, he's a violent guy. He gets up there and tries to imitate my dance a little bit; he's killed millions of people. He's tortured," Trump claimed. He further alleged the existence of a "torture facility" in Caracas and accused the "radical left" of supporting pro-Maduro protests.
The situation presents a complex picture where a proposed economic arrangement is directly linked to a violent regime-change effort, setting the stage for continued geopolitical friction in the region.
