Aug 28 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said the U.S. had entered into an oil agreement with Venezuela.
“At my direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, working closely with Highly Respected Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, and, through a partnership with private business, have secured majority U.S. control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela, at no cost to the American Taxpayer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump said the agreement would more than double American oil reserves.
Since the U.S. captured and removed former President Nicolas Maduro from power in January, Washington has been trying to secure a stable flow of Venezuelan crude for U.S. refineries while promoting American investment into the OPEC country’s deteriorated energy industry, which currently produces some 1.25 million barrels per day of crude.
President Donald Trump’s administration is under pressure ahead of midterm elections scheduled later this year over rising gasoline prices, which could be eased through cheaper oil supplies and expanded output. The U.S. also has been looking for solutions to replenish its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the oil stockpile, including the possibility of crude swaps with U.S. producers.
(Reporting by Costas Pitas and Christian Martinez; Editing by Jasper Ward and Caitlin Webber)
