WASHINGTON — President Trump announced the arrival of one million barrels of oil from Venezuela ahead of a Texas rally for the GOP in the 2026 midterms.
Trump made the announcement at a campaign rally in Corpus Christi at its massive port. Speaking in a warehouse, Trump pointed to the massive tanker visible through its open doors: “See that little ship out there? It’s got 1 million barrels of oil on it from Venezuela.”
“The oil on the ships outside is being provided to the United States at zero cost to the American taxpayer,” he said, referring to a major energy agreement that was reached between the two countries in August.
At a Texas rally, President Donald Trump touted the arrival of 1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil under a new deal, aiming to boost GOP midterm candidates. AFP via Getty Images
“I want to thank Venezuela, where our relationship has become very, very good — a great one — and billions and billions of dollars are being invested now by the biggest oil companies, many of which come from Texas,” he said.
The president was in Texas to boost Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. The oil will be refined in the state, including in Corpus Christi. And it will all pay off for Americans, he said.
Trump promised that “gasoline and diesel prices will soon come down” as a result.
The success of the US-Venezuela oil deal even prompted him to joke: “Let’s make it the 51st state!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the president on the trip, making a quick appearance on stage at the president’s bequest. The crowd applauded him wildly and he made brief remarks: “It’s an honor to work for the greatest country in the world, for the greatest president in the history of the United States of America. We love you, Texas. Thank you.”
The oil tanker Angerona, which transported Venezuelan crude, is seen in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Oct. 27, 2026. REUTERS
Rubio was a major force behind the US invasion of Venezuela and the subsequent oil deal. An official noted that Rubio appeared in his capacity as national security adviser, a role he has also served in.
“This will be the first of the billions of barrels to come from this deal,” a White House official told The Post.
In late August, Trump announced that the US had struck a deal with Venezuela interim President Delcy Rodriguez to gain control of 65 billion barrels of oil from the South American nation’s reserves, “through a partnership with private business.”
President Trump visited the Lone Star State to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
“This Historic Transaction MORE THAN DOUBLES American Oil Reserves, greatly increases our Oil Supply, and will substantially lower Gas Prices for all Americans, long into the future, while helping to continue to set Venezuela on a course toward Tremendous Success and Great Prosperity,” Trump said at the time.
Roughly 303 billion barrels worth of crude oil, 17% of the world’s supply, or are held in Venezuela’s reserves.
The August deal followed months of uncertainty in Venezuela after the Jan. 3 capture and extradition of dictator Nicolas Maduro to face narco-terrorism charges in the US.
Trump has appeared in campaign rallies across the nation to continue to advance Republican support ahead of Election Day. REUTERS
The tanker tease comes as Trump is trying to shore up Republican support ahead of next week’s midterms, as polls show his party likely to lose the House and in a fight for control of the Senate.
Paxton is currently 1.8 percentage points behind his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, in the state’s Senate race, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.
Trump will attend a second campaign rally on Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas, getting a two-fer out of his visit to the state.
The president last appeared in Corpus Christi for a campaign event ahead of the March primary in Texas, in which Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) advanced to a runoff election against Paxton.
The Texas attorney general unseated Cornyn as the incumbent in that May race — with Paxton earning Trump’s endorsement beforehand.