Trump Announces Venezuela Oil Reserve Agreement

Why it matters locally: An agreement for the United States to access Venezuelan oil reserves could influence national energy prices, which would in turn affect Ohio's transportation and manufacturing sectors, though the precise impact on gasoline prices for consumers is difficult to predict.

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President Trump announced an agreement with Venezuela on Friday, August 28, 2026. He stated the agreement would grant the United States access to 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves. Trump indicated the United States would acquire this oil at cost. He characterized the arrangement as a "sweeping agreement." The President made the announcement after arriving off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The stated volume of 65 billion barrels represents a portion of Venezuela's undeveloped oil reserves.