US conducts first sale of Venezuelan oil

The United States has conducted its first sale of Venezuelan oil, according to U.S. media reports. The White House, citing CNN, states the oil is valued at $500 million, with additional sales expected in the coming days and weeks. President Donald Trump previously said Venezuela would initially hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality oil to the U.S., with the proceeds going to the people of Venezuela and the U.S. Since Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the U.S. in an attack earlier in January, Trump has made clear he plans to capitalize on the country's oil reserves, though the administration's plans reportedly faced skepticism from U.S. oil companies at a meeting last week. Maduro is now in U.S. custody accused of what the U.S. calls 'narco-terrorism.' Since his capture, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has governed Venezuela.