The announcement comes amid an unprecedented leadership crisis following a dramatic U.S. military operation in Caracas early this month that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces. “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 wrote on social media. “This oil 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.” Trump said Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy Secretary, has been instructed to begin execution of the plan immediately, with storage vessels scheduled to transport the oil to U.S. unloading terminals. The move underscores Washington’s intent to stabilize Venezuela’s economy under new leadership while leveraging its vast energy reserves. The announcement raises questions about enforcement, legality and the broader geopolitical implications of U.S. involvement in Venezuela. Analysts note that while the oil transfer could provide critical revenue for Venezuela’s interim government, it also signals an unprecedented level of U.S. control over the country’s resources. Maduro’s ouster follows years of political turmoil and economic collapse in Venezuela, compounded by U.S. sanctions aimed at weakening his regime. The Trump administration has long criticized Maduro as illegitimate, but the direct seizure of the leader and subsequent oil deal represent a new phase in U.S.-Venezuela relations. Further details on the timeline for the oil transfer and the structure of revenue distribution remain unclear. The White House has not commented on whether Congress will play a role in overseeing the funds.