Trump Announces US-Venezuela Oil Deal for 65 Billion Barrels

On Friday, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States has secured an agreement with Venezuela to gain control over 65 billion barrels of oil reserves from the South American nation. Trump hailed the arrangement as "THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY." The negotiation involved Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez. This announcement follows the US military's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, directed by Trump, nearly nine months ago, leading to charges of federal narcoterrorism and drug trafficking. Amid rising petrol prices and a protracted war in Iran, the US has drawn down its strategic petroleum reserves, which fell below 300 million barrels in early August. The deal was shared through a social media update by Trump, accompanied by a photo of Rodriguez, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and US Charge d'Affaires for Venezuela Laura Dogu at oil facilities in Maturin, Monagas state, in February.