WASHINGTON \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cSee that little ship out there?\u00a0 It\u2019s got 1 million barrels of oil on it from Venezuela.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe oil on the ships outside is being provided to the United States at zero cost to the American taxpayer,\u201d he said, referring to a major energy agreement<\/a> that was reached between the two countries in August.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank Venezuela, where our relationship has become very, very good \u2014 a great one \u2014 and billions and billions of dollars are being invested now by the biggest oil companies, many of which come from Texas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The president was in Texas to boost Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. The oil will be refined in the state, including in Corpus Christi.\u00a0And it will all pay off for Americans, he said.<\/p>\n Trump promised that \u201cgasoline and diesel prices will soon come down\u201d as a result.<\/p>\n The success of the US-Venezuela oil deal even prompted him to joke: \u201cLet\u2019s make it the 51st state!\u201d<\/p>\n Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined the president on the trip, making a quick appearance on stage at the president\u2019s bequest. The crowd applauded him wildly and he made brief remarks: \u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The oil tanker Angerona, which transported Venezuelan crude, is seen in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Oct. 27, 2026. REUTERS<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will be the first of the billions of barrels to come from this deal,\u201d a White House official told The Post.\u00a0<\/p>\n In late August, Trump announced that the US had struck a deal with Venezuela interim President Delcy Rodriguez<\/a> to gain control of 65 billion barrels of oil from the South American nation\u2019s reserves, \u201cthrough a partnership with private business.\u201d<\/p>\n President Trump visited the Lone Star State to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. AP Photo\/Alex Brandon<\/p>\n \u201cThis 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,\u201d Trump said at the time.<\/p>\n Roughly 303 billion barrels worth of crude oil, 17% of the world\u2019s supply, or are held in Venezuela\u2019s reserves.<\/p>\n The August deal followed months of uncertainty in Venezuela after the Jan. 3 capture and extradition of dictator Nicolas Maduro<\/a> to face narco-terrorism charges in the US.<\/p>\n Trump has appeared in campaign rallies across the nation to continue to advance Republican support ahead of Election Day. REUTERS<\/p>\n The tanker tease comes as Trump is trying to shore up Republican support ahead of next week\u2019s midterms, as polls show his party likely to lose the House and in a fight for control of the Senate.<\/p>\n Paxton is currently 1.8 percentage points behind his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, in the state\u2019s Senate race, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average<\/a>.<\/p>\n Trump will attend a second campaign rally on Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas, getting a two-fer out of his visit to the state.<\/p>\n