Trump says US, Venezuela ‘working well together’ on oil rebuild

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States and Venezuela are “working well together” to rebuild the South American country’s oil and gas infrastructure, with oil companies expected to invest at least $100 billion.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Venezuela had released “large numbers of political prisoners,” describing the move as a sign of the country “seeking peace” and calling it a “very important and smart gesture.”

“The U.S.A. and Venezuela are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure,” Trump said.

He added that due to this cooperation, he had canceled a previously expected second wave of attacks on Venezuela. However, he said that “all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes.”

Trump said oil companies are expected to invest at least $100 billion in the reconstruction effort and that he would meet with top executives at the White House on Friday to discuss the plans.

The US carried out a military operation in Venezuela on Jan. 3, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump later said his administration would “run” Venezuela and its oil assets during a transition period.