America just scored a major win in the energy sector with the first significant sale of Venezuelan oil under a fresh agreement brokered by the Trump administration. This $500 million transaction marks the initial step in transferring sanctioned Venezuelan crude to U.S. control, setting the stage for broader economic gains.

The deal stems from interim Venezuelan authorities handing over between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil, valued at around $2.8 billion based on current prices. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that the U.S. government is managing these sales, ensuring proceeds flow into Washington-controlled accounts. Expect more deals to roll out soon.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said, “President Donald Trump brokered a historic energy deal with Venezuela, immediately following the arrest of narcoterrorist Nicolás Maduro, that will benefit the American and Venezuelan people.”

She also pointed out ongoing talks with oil firms aimed at massive investments to rebuild Venezuela’s crumbling infrastructure, all while shielding the Western Hemisphere from threats like narcoterrorists, drug traffickers, and hostile foreign powers.

Venezuela sits on over 300 billion barrels of proven reserves—nearly four times what America holds. Yet, years of corruption and poor management have slashed output from 3.5 million barrels per day in the late 1990s to just 800,000 today, per data from energy firm Kpler.

President Trump outlined the path forward: “We are going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken oil infrastructure and start making money for the country.”

This move not only bolsters U.S. energy security but also opens doors for American businesses to drive recovery in a key regional market. By tapping into these resources responsibly, America strengthens its economic position while promoting stability abroad.