US President Donald Trump has officially announced the signing of an agreement under which the United States gains control over the majority of Venezuela's oil reserves, totaling more than 65 billion barrels. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Bloomberg.
Negotiations were conducted by the White House administration with Venezuela's interim government led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez (after US military removed Nicolás Maduro from the country in January 2026). According to Trump, the deal will more than double US oil reserves without any cost to American taxpayers.
Role of Private Companies
The development of the destroyed infrastructure will be undertaken by major American private energy companies, which will invest billions of dollars. Options for long-term leases of the fields (up to 100 years) are being discussed. Revenue streams will be controlled to finance the needs of both the US and the Venezuelan people.
Question of Leaving OPEC
Amid this alliance, Venezuelan authorities have begun considering the possibility of leaving OPEC to get rid of quotas and maximize production in the long term.
Strategic Reserves and Global Market
According to other foreign media, the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is currently at its lowest level in 40 years. Additionally, wars in the Middle East (with Iran) and in Ukraine have disrupted global supply stability, raising fuel prices.
Trump views this agreement as the foundation of his "Monroe Doctrine" to ensure US energy dominance in the Western Hemisphere for generations to come.