US President Donald Trump stated that a recent military operation in Venezuela was completed in “exactly 48 minutes,” and asserted that the US has recouped its costs 28 times over through oil extraction. This statement, shared via social media, adds a new dimension to the narrative surrounding the US military’s surprise intervention in Venezuela, known as Operation Absolute Resolve. The operation, which took place on January 3, 2026, involved a swift overnight raid aimed at detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Official reports from the US Defense Secretary contradict Trump’s timing claim, suggesting the operation was completed in under 30 minutes. Additionally, Venezuela’s oil production has seen a notable increase, with the US securing a significant share of the crude oil for market sale.
The prediction markets have responded to Trump’s claims with a notable impact on certain market scenarios. The confirmation of the US military action underlines the potential for further military engagements. Meanwhile, Trump’s assertion of successful oil extraction from Venezuela could indicate an increased oil supply, thus influencing WTI crude oil price projections.
Key Takeaways
Trump’s claim of recovering costs through Venezuelan oil extraction suggests increased supply, which appears consistent with lower WTI crude prices.
