Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 7: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that Venezuela’s “interim authorities” would provide between 30 million and 50 million barrels of “high quality” oil to the United States at market price, days after a US military operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the oil would be transported by storage ships and delivered directly to unloading docks in the United States. He further stated that the proceeds from the sale would be controlled by him as president, but would be used for the benefit of both the American and Venezuelan people.
The announcement came as Venezuelan officials confirmed that at least 24 security personnel were killed during the late-night US military operation to capture Maduro and fly him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly organising a meeting at the Oval Office on Friday with top executives of major US oil companies, including Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, to discuss Venezuela’s oil sector. The development was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter.
Earlier in the day, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez hit back at Trump’s warning that she could face consequences worse than Maduro’s if she failed to align the country with US interests and open its vast oil reserves to American firms.
Addressing representatives from the agricultural and industrial sectors, Rodríguez said, “To those who threaten me, my destiny is not decided by them, but by God.”
Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab said dozens of security officers and civilians were killed during the weekend operation in Caracas and described the incident as a “war crime,” adding that prosecutors would investigate the deaths.
Cuba has also confirmed that 32 Cuban military and police personnel stationed in Venezuela were killed in the raid. The Cuban government said the deceased belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior.
The Pentagon said seven US service members were injured during the operation, including from gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Five have since returned to duty, while two continue to recover.
A video tribute posted on the Venezuelan military’s Instagram account honoured the fallen personnel, showing their images alongside footage of soldiers, damaged armoured vehicles and aircraft flying over Caracas. After days of deserted streets, supporters briefly gathered in the capital waving national flags at a state-organised event backing the government.
“Their blood does not call for vengeance, but for justice and strength,” the military said in a statement, reaffirming its resolve to defend the country’s sovereignty.