Trump claims US will control 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil after raid

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela will hand over 30–50 million barrels of oil to the United States, claiming the revenue—potentially over $2 billion—will be placed under his personal control. The statement comes days after US special forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a raid on January 3, 2026, transporting them to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro loyalist who serves as Venezuela's vice president and energy minister, has vowed cooperation with Washington but insists her government remains in charge. Trump warned Rodriguez faces a "bigger price than Maduro" if she doesn't comply with US demands, which include ceding control of Venezuela's oil industry and severing ties with Cuba, China, Iran, and Russia.

However, Rodriguez has also appeared alongside hardline military leaders, stating Tuesday: "The government of Venezuela is in charge in our country, and no-one else." Military and Cuban sources report at least 55 dead from the operation—23 Venezuelan troops including five generals, and 32 Cuban military personnel from Maduro's security detail. Attorney General Tarek William Saab mentioned "dozens" of civilian and military casualties without specifics.

The operation has drawn criticism from the UN, which says it undermines international law. Opposition leader María Corina Machado, sidelined by Washington, warned that Rodriguez—long seen as Venezuela's liaison with Russia and Iran—cannot be trusted. Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning and led rallies of Maduro supporters demanding his release, while security forces remain visibly deployed across Caracas.

Trump tasked Energy Secretary Chris Wright with executing the oil transfer "immediately," claiming the US will "run" Venezuela and control its oil reserves—the world's largest. The White House rejected involvement from Venezuela's democratic opposition, which was widely seen as winning last year's elections. Rodriguez faces the challenge of balancing Trump's demands with hardliners controlling Venezuela's military and security apparatus.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/01/07/venezuela-to-hand-over-oil-stocks-worth-billions-trump/