Following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Operation Absolute Resolve, President Trump ordered 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil shipped to New York, sparking global market volatility. He also restricted oil sale funds to US purchases, as Brent crude dipped and Asian markets reacted mixed.
In the wake of Operation Absolute Resolve on January 3, 2026—which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores—US President Donald Trump directed authorities in Venezuela to deliver 50 million barrels of oil to New York. This move triggered volatility in global oil markets: Brent crude fell 0.51 percent to $60.39 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 0.61 percent to $56.33 per barrel at 7:30 a.m. Singapore time on January 8.
Asian markets opened mixed on Thursday, January 8, 2026, amid geopolitical tensions, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.46 percent and South Korea's Kospi up 0.12 percent.
On January 7, Trump reiterated via Truth Social that funds from Venezuelan oil sales could only buy American-made products, including agricultural goods, medicines, medical equipment, and gear for the power grid and energy facilities. "Venezuela will ONLY buy American-made products with the money they receive from our new oil deal," he wrote, calling it a wise choice benefiting both nations.
This builds on longstanding US-Venezuela tensions, with Trump emphasizing strengthened business ties post-operation.
