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Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong>Read more<\/p>\n Donald Trump has announced the Venezuela will only be purchasing \u201cAmerican made\u201d products with the money made from its deal with the U.S. over oil production, following the seizure of two sanctioned tankers<\/a> linked to the South American nation.<\/p>\n \u201cIn other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner \u2013 A wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States,\u201d the president wrote on Truth Social Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n Trump previously claimed that American companies would be sending workers to Venezuela to help rebuild the nation\u2019s oil industry infrastructure, though no concrete plans have been shared, and that its oil would \u2013 for now \u2013 be sold by the U.S.<\/p>\n White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that all proceeds from the sale of the oil would \u201csettle\u201d in U.S. bank accounts to \u201cguarantee the legitimacy\u201d before being disbursed back to Venezuela.<\/p>\n The two Venezuela-linked tankers, a Russian-flagged vessel named the Marinera <\/a>and the M\/T Sophia, both said to be part of an illegal \u201cshadow fleet\u201d carrying oil in breach of international sanctions, were seized Wednesday.<\/p>\n The interceptions come after U.S. forces raided Venezuela on Saturday <\/a>to seize its now-deposed president, Nicolas Maduro<\/a>, who is in New York facing drug charges.<\/p>\n <\/a>Watch: The truth about how many drugs in the US come from Venezuela The truth about how many drugs in the US come from Venezuela<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan8 January 2026 00:25<\/p>\n <\/a>Oil giant in talks with Trump administration to expand Venezuela operating license<\/p>\n American oil producer Chevron is in discussions with the US government to expand its operating licence in Venezuela, aiming to increase crude exports to its own refineries and potentially sell to other buyers.<\/p>\n These talks unfold as Washington and Caracas advance negotiations to supply up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States.<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan8 January 2026 00:10<\/p>\n <\/a>Recap: Oil blockades, a two week chase and \u2018outright piracy\u2019: All we know about blacklisted supertanker seized by US<\/p>\n Early Wednesday, U.S. forces seized a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker being escorted by Russian naval ships in the North Atlantic, days after the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro from his home.<\/p>\n The military and Coast Guard intercepted the Marinera tanker in waters north west of Scotland, after a two-week chase.<\/p>\n The vessel had evaded a U.S. blockade of sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela, a measure the administration had implemented shortly before an elite unit seized Maduro in the early hours of Saturday.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a recap, in case you missed it:<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan7 January 2026 23:52<\/p>\n <\/a>Trump says Venezuela will only purchase ‘American Made’ products with oil money<\/p>\n Donald Trump has announced the Venezuela will only be purchasing \u201cAmerican made\u201d products with the money made from its deal with the U.S. over oil production.<\/p>\n \u201cI have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal,\u201d the president wrote on Truth Social Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n \u201cThese purchases will include, among other things, American Agricultural Products, and American Made Medicines, Medical Devices, and Equipment to improve Venezuela\u2019s Electric Grid and Energy Facilities. <\/p>\n \u201cIn other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner \u2013 A wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan7 January 2026 23:33<\/p>\n <\/a>House Dems question next steps on Venezuela following briefing <\/p>\n During a classified briefing on Venezuela Wednesday, House Democrats raised concerns about the Trump administration’s actions and the next steps to support the country.<\/p>\n Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was “not clear what comes next,\u201d with regard to the running of Venezuela, despite praising the execution of the military operation.<\/p>\n House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks agreed, saying he had heard “no plan” for running Venezuela.<\/p>\n Others, including Jason Crow, of Wisconsin, and Seth Moulton, of Massachusetts, claimed that Trump administration officials had not been able to answer basic questions including about timelines and costs.<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan7 January 2026 23:20<\/p>\n <\/a>ICYMI: Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil<\/p>\n Writing on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that the interim Venezuelan authorities would be turning over between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the US.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d the president wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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! <\/p>\n \u201cI have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan7 January 2026 22:50<\/p>\n <\/a>Florida rep says he has spoken to Venezuelan opposition leader<\/p>\n Republican Rick Scott has backed the Trump administration\u2019s seizure of the Venezuelan-linked sanctioned oil tankers.<\/p>\n \u201cPresidents and presidents and presidents have allowed our own backdoor to be taken over by Russians and Chinese and North Koreans, and there is Hezbollah in Iran,\u201d the Florida rep told reporters Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd finally, we have a president that gives a damn. So he\u2019s going to use the power he\u2019s got.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott also said he had spoken to Venezuelan leader of the opposition Maria Machado Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cI think what they\u2019re trying to do is make sure there is a transition that doesn\u2019t end up in, bloodshed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so I think we\u2019ll get to, a free and fair elections. But in the meantime, Delcy Rodriguez is either going to cooperate or she\u2019s going to end up in prison or something else.\u201d<\/p>\n Rodriguez was sworn in as the country\u2019s interim president Monday.<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan7 January 2026 22:20<\/p>\n <\/a>Watch: UK will not stand by as ‘malign activity increases’ at sea, Healey vows after Venezuela tanker seizedUK will not stand by as ‘malign activity increases’ at sea, Healey vows after Venezuela tanker seized<\/p>\n Mike Bedigan7 January 2026 22:00<\/p>\n