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Trump Claims U.S. Control of 65 Billion Venezuelan Barrels

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 5:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan reserves.
Experts estimate realistic proven reserves at 60-120 billion barrels, with short-term proven reserves likely 10-15 billion barrels.
Former Venezuelan energy official Evanan Romero called the 65 billion-barrel claim a “funny number” and an absolute lie.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended the deal as a historic step toward stabilizing Venezuela’s economy.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan reserves.
Experts estimate realistic proven reserves at 60-120 billion barrels, with short-term proven reserves likely 10-15 billion barrels.
Former Venezuelan energy official Evanan Romero called the 65 billion-barrel claim a “funny number” and an absolute lie.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended the deal as a historic step toward stabilizing Venezuela’s economy.