Washington D.C. – United States President Donald Trump made a sweeping Venezuela oil claim on Thursday, announcing that the country along with the United States now constitute 68 percent of oil reserves in the world. The President Trump delivered this remarkable statement during his address at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, nearly a month after a controversial military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
This Venezuela oil claim represents one of the most significant assertions regarding global energy resources made by the Trump administration, highlighting the strategic importance of the January military intervention in the South American nation. The statement underscores the administration’s focus on controlling critical energy resources worldwide.
Economic Justification for Military Action
Speaking about the capture of Venezuela by the United States earlier in January, Trump provided context for the military operation by describing the country’s economic situation. The President stated that Venezuela was in significant trouble economically, despite possessing vast natural resources that could theoretically support national prosperity.
The Venezuela oil claim took center stage as Trump emphasized the paradox of the country’s situation, noting that despite economic difficulties, Venezuela has more oil than any other country in the world, with the possible exception of the United States. This statement formed the basis of his assertion that the two countries together constitute a total of 68 percent of oil reserves globally.
Details of the January Military Operation
The Venezuela oil claim gains additional context when examined alongside the details of the military operation that preceded it. In what Donald Trump referred to as a large-scale military operation, the United States entered Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3, 2026.
One of Trump’s first statements after the military raid focused on Venezuela’s oil reserves, making energy resources the predominant reason behind the violent geopolitical action. This early emphasis on oil foreshadowed the Venezuela oil claim that would be made weeks later at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Military Operation Execution
The execution of the operation that enabled the Venezuela oil claim involved sophisticated military coordination. More than 150 US military aircraft entered Venezuelan airspace after American forces neutralized the country’s air defenses, demonstrating the scale and complexity of the intervention.
To capture President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Army Delta Force commandos were flown to the military base where he was residing. The forces reached Maduro and his wife before they could seek shelter, effectively ending any possibility of resistance or escape from the targeted leadership.
Infrastructure and Economic Plans
Following the military action that substantiated the Venezuela oil claim, Trump outlined ambitious plans for the country’s energy sector. The President announced that very large United States oil companies would go into Venezuela and spend billions of dollars to fix the badly broken infrastructure that had deteriorated under previous management.
Trump expressed confidence that the United States would be selling large amounts of oil from Venezuelan reserves, transforming the Venezuela oil claim from mere assertion into practical economic reality. This statement indicated plans for immediate exploitation of the newly controlled energy resources.
Impact on Venezuelan Capital
As the country witnessed the violent military action that preceded the Venezuela oil claim, at least seven explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital city of Caracas. These explosions marked the intensity of the operation and the determination of US forces to accomplish their objectives swiftly and decisively.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the intervention as part of a massive joint military and law enforcement raid, emphasizing the coordinated nature of the operation that ultimately enabled the Venezuela oil claim. The description suggested extensive planning and preparation for the complex military action.
Transitional Governance Announcement
Trump announced that the United States was going to run Venezuela until a power transition could be arranged, providing a timeline for American control that supports the Venezuela oil claim. This statement indicated that the oil reserves would remain under US influence for an indefinite period during the transitional governance phase.
The Venezuela oil claim thus represents not just a statement about current control but a declaration of long-term strategic interest in the country’s energy resources. The transitional arrangement ensures American oversight of oil production and distribution during the period of political reorganization.
Global Energy Implications
The Venezuela oil claim of 68 percent global control has significant implications for international energy markets and geopolitical dynamics. If accurate, this level of control would give the United States unprecedented influence over global oil prices, supply chains, and energy security arrangements worldwide.
Trump acknowledged during his address that the Venezuela oil claim might not mean much to ordinary citizens in their daily lives, but emphasized that the country was doing well economically. This comment suggested awareness that the strategic significance of the Venezuela oil claim extends beyond immediate public perception.
The Venezuela oil claim positions the United States as the dominant force in global energy markets, potentially reshaping international relations and economic dependencies for years to come.
