Donald Trump, campaigning in Texas, showcased a ship carrying Venezuelan crude oil, attributing the shipment to a “big victory” in a recent military operation. He repeatedly suggested the United States should make Venezuela its 51st state, envisioning a prosperous addition to the country. The oil is being supplied to the US “at zero cost to the American taxpayer,” according to Trump, following a deal brokered with Venezuela’s current leadership after the ouster of Nicolás Maduro in January. US forces conducted an incursion into Venezuela in January, leading to Maduro’s arrest and the installation of Delcy Rodriguez as the new leader, with the Trump administration’s support. Trump also linked the oil supply to surging prices following the war in Iran, predicting gas prices will soon drop. Simultaneously, the US is set to grant visas to Flávio Bolsonaro, the defeated Brazilian presidential candidate, according to a senior State Department official.
The emphasis on Venezuelan oil comes amid a tight Senate race in Texas, where Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is facing a challenge from Democrat James Talarico. Talarico currently holds a slight lead in polls, and has focused his campaign on allegations of corruption against Paxton. Left-leaning outlets emphasize the military operation in Venezuela and the potential impact of high oil prices on affordability, while also highlighting the corruption allegations surrounding Paxton. The Al Jazeera report noted that the details of the oil shipment were not immediately clear, and experts have questioned the short-term impact of the deal. The Guardian reported that Trump described the oil as “spoils” from the operation, framing it as a conquest. The US had already received crude oil shipments from Venezuela before Maduro’s removal, but those transfers have increased this year, with the Pentagon securing a 35% stake in a company overseeing 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves.
Our reading is that Trump is attempting to leverage a military operation and a new oil deal with Venezuela for domestic political gain, specifically in the tight Texas Senate race. The emphasis on “zero cost” and “spoils” suggests a transactional framing of foreign policy, prioritizing perceived wins over nuanced diplomatic outcomes. The simultaneous announcement of a visa for a defeated Brazilian candidate appears intended to signal alignment with hard-right figures internationally, further solidifying a political message.
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