Trump says U.S. will receive Venezuelan oil after capture of Maduro

President Donald Trump said the United States will receive between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to a statement posted by Trump.

In a post on Tuesday, Trump said the oil will be transferred by Venezuela’s interim authorities, sold at market price, and transported directly to unloading docks in the United States.

Trump said the proceeds from the sale will be controlled by the U.S. government to ensure the funds are used to benefit both Venezuela and the United States. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is set to execute the plan immediately.

The announcement follows the U.S. military operation carried out on Saturday in which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured at a military bunker in Caracas. Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as president.

Rodríguez has issued statements condemning the U.S. operation while also signaling openness to dialogue and cooperation with the United States, according to Venezuelan authorities.

Maduro appeared in federal court in Manhattan on Monday on drug trafficking charges brought by the U.S. government, according to the Associated Press. Speaking through a court interpreter, Maduro said he had been captured and denied the charges, stating that he is innocent and remains the constitutional president of Venezuela.