US President Donald Trump said Friday his administration has reached a huge oil deal with Venezuela that gives the United States majority control of 65 billion barrels of proven petroleum reserves. The deal – which Trump proclaimed as "the biggest oil deal in world history" – will bring nearly $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela, US and Venezuelan officials said. Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves. Its government has operated under intense pressure and close scrutiny from the Trump administration since the US ousted and captured long time ruler Nicolas Maduro in January. Washington allowed his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to stay on and serve as interim leader so long as she toes the US line. Read moreWho is Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's VP and now the acting president of Venezuela? Trump has made no secret of his desire to secure Venezuelan oil for the US, and in his post announcing the deal on his Truth Social platform, he said it will more than double US oil reserves. Interim leader Rodriguez confirmed what she called a "historic agreement" that would "have a significant impact on the rebirth of our nation". Writing on social media, she hailed potential investment of "more than $100 billion and more than $209 billion in tax revenue for the State". Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had reached the deal with Rodriguez "through a partnership with private business". "This Transaction will greatly strengthen the already growing relationship between Venezuela and the United States!" Trump wrote. Many questions remain Rubio said the deal demonstrated how "President Trump's bold foreign policy is driving America First wins: securing stable reserves and low-cost oil in our Hemisphere and lowering gas prices here at home." "For the Venezuelan people, this deal will bring nearly $100 billion in private investment, support thousands of high-paying jobs, and drive the reconstruction of Venezuela's economy," Rubio wrote on X, without providing further details.
Trump announces 'historic' agreement for US stake in Venezuela oil reserves
Washington and Caracas announced Friday that they had reached a “historic” oil agreement, under which the United States will take majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's reserves.











