Ammon News - US President Donald Trump has said Venezuela "will be turning over" up to 50m barrels of oil to the US, after a surprise military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power.

The oil will be sold at its market price, Trump posted on social media, adding that the money would be controlled by himself and used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the US.

His comments come after he said the US oil industry would be "up and running" in Venezuela within 18 months and that he expected huge investments to pour into the country.

Analysts previously told the BBC it could take tens of billions of dollars, and potentially a decade, to restore Venezuela's former output.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday: "I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.

"This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!"

His comment came a day after Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Venezuela's vice-president, was sworn in as its interim president. Maduro has been brought to the US to face drug-trafficking and weapons charges.

BBC