In a recent interview on radio station 95.5 WSB, Donald Trump said the United States had entered a deal with Venezuela that would give Washington control of the South American nation’s vast oil reserves, estimated at 65 billion barrels. The former president made the statement without providing documentation or naming any officials involved, and it follows a series of bold foreign‑policy pronouncements he has made since leaving office.
Venezuela holds one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but U.S. companies have been largely barred from operating there since Washington imposed sanctions in 2015 over concerns about the Maduro regime’s human‑rights record. Past attempts to negotiate oil‑related agreements have stalled amid diplomatic tensions, making any claim of a new partnership highly significant if true. Analysts note that control of even a fraction of the 65 billion barrels would reshape global supply dynamics.
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Neither the U.S. State Department nor the Venezuelan foreign ministry has confirmed the alleged agreement, and both have declined to comment on Trump’s remarks. Energy market observers are treating the claim with caution, citing the lack of official documentation and the political context of Trump’s post‑presidential platform. The assertion also raises questions about potential violations of existing sanctions and the legal mechanisms required for any transfer of resource control.
