A macaw stands on a decorative oil drill in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 6, 2026. MATIAS DELACROIX / AP
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday, January 6, that Venezuela's interim government will deliver up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, and that the proceeds "will be controlled by me" as president.
"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 his Truth Social platform.
"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."
Meanwhile, Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez insisted Tuesday that no foreign power was governing her country. Rodriguez, who was vice president under toppled leader Nicolas Maduro, has given mixed signals about how much she is prepared to cooperate with Trump, at times sounding conciliatory, at others defiant.
