Trump Claims Control of Venezuela's Oil Money in 50 Million Barrel Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela will send a large amount of oil to the United States. He said the money from the sale would be under his control. In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump said Venezuela's interim government would send 30 to 50 million barrels of "high quality, sanctioned oil" to the U.S. "This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be placed in a blocked account for the benefit of the Venezuelan people," Trump wrote. He added that the funds would be "controlled by me, for the people." The statement suggests the proceeds would be managed separately from the current Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate interim president. The oil would come from assets currently under U.S. sanctions. These sanctions are designed to pressure Maduro to leave power. No further details were immediately provided about how the transfer would work or when it might happen. The Venezuelan government has not yet publicly responded to Trump's claim.