In a striking development that signals a dramatic shift in hemispheric energy politics, the Trump administration announced at its most recent Cabinet meeting that more than 10 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil have been delivered to the United States since January 3rd of this year — the result of what officials are describing as a rapidly evolving strategic alliance between Washington and Caracas.
The announcement came as part of a wide-ranging Cabinet meeting in which President Trump and senior officials outlined what they characterized as a comprehensive transformation of the U.S.-Venezuela relationship — from sanctioned adversary to strategic energy partner — in what Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as an unprecedented diplomatic and economic realignment.
