US and Venezuela reach 'historic' oil deal, Trump says

President Donald Trump announced a historic oil deal with Venezuela, stating that the United States will now control over 65 billion barrels of the South American nation's proven oil reserves. This monumental transaction is expected to more than double America's oil reserves, significantly boost the country's oil supply, and ultimately reduce gas prices for all Americans, according to Trump's social media post.

The deal came about following the arrest of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. Trump vowed to tap into Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the world's largest, after Maduro's downfall. The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, hailed the deal as a "huge win for both the American and Venezuelan people."

Rubio further stated that the agreement would bring nearly $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela, support thousands of high-paying jobs, and help rebuild the country's economy. Trump assured that the deal was reached without any cost to the American taxpayer.

In January, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody in a military operation authorized by Trump. After their seizure, Trump vowed to run Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" could take place, claiming the US would indefinitely control the sale of the country's oil. He also requested US oil firms to invest at least $100 billion to restore the country's oil industry and claimed rights to Venezuela's oil, alleging past unilateral seizures and sales of American assets by the Venezuelan government.