Trump says Venezuela is ‘turning over’ millions of barrels of oil as US eyes Greenland: Live updates

Trump says Venezuela is ‘turning over’ millions of barrels of oil as his admin weighs options to acquire Greenland: Live updates

Europe’s showdown with Trump over threat to Greenland

From dramatic capture in Venezuela to a New York courtroom: How Maduro’s extraordinary arrest unfolded minute by minute

Why managing Trump is far more important than defending international law for Starmer

KEY POINTS

• Trump says Venezuela is 'turning over' millions of barrels of 'sanctioned oil'
• Trump is considering using military to acquire Greenland
• The White House wants to ‘own’ the Western hemisphere
• What the Greenland locals really think of Trump
• Europe’s showdown with Trump over threat to Greenland

What the Trump administration is saying on Venezuela and Greenland

• After the U.S. captured Venezuela’s now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro to face drug charges, Trump said the interim authorities in the country will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil.”
• The president said on Tuesday the oil will be sold, and he will control the money from the sale “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.”
• Earlier Tuesday, the Trump administration said it was weighing options to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.
• "The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” the White House said.

Mark Kelly calls Trump's threats to acquire Greenland 'dumb'

Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, has called the Trump administration’s threats to acquire Greenland “dumb.”

“Americans are struggling to pay bills and what is the President of the United States worried about? Taking over Greenland,” Kelly wrote on X Tuesday.

Americans are struggling to pay bills and what is the President of the United States worried about? Taking over Greenland.

This is dumb and undermines the alliances that keep our country safe. https://t.co/pJ9JD7pkyL

— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 7, 2026

Earlier Tuesday, the White House said it was weighing options to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.

Kelly, along with other former service members and intelligence officials in Congress, was targeted by Trump after releasing a video urging the military to defy illegal orders.

Watch: UN Ambassador Mike Waltz defends Venezuela operation: 'This was the right thing to do'

Waltz: President Trump took real action. So, it's hard to figure out what they are so upset about. I think we know the answer. It’s because President Trump is a man of action. pic.twitter.com/qcS9OdPdNf

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 7, 2026

Tulsi Gabbard, who was once against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, congratulated the 'flawless' capture of Maduro

Tulsi Gabbard, who was once against U.S. intervention in Venezuela, congratulated the “flawless” capture of now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro.

The national intelligence director wrote on X Tuesday, “President Trump promised the American people he would secure our borders, confront narcoterrorism, dangerous drug cartels, and drug traffickers.

“Kudos to our servicemen and women and intelligence operators for their flawless execution of President Trump’s order to deliver on his promise thru Operation Absolute Resolve.”

This is a U-turn from her stance on Venezuela just a few years back.

In a resurfaced X post from 2019, Gabbard wrote, “The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela.”

https://t.co/GJFgOvW33k pic.twitter.com/1vjZjUPq0x

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 6, 2026

Watch: Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss doubts Americans or Venezuelans 'are ever going to get the benefit' of oil sale

Pres. Trump said Venezuela would turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil to the US, with money from its sale controlled by him. "I don't think either the American people or Venezuelan people are ever going to get the benefit of that money," says Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss. pic.twitter.com/VckYHS27uX

— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 7, 2026

Republican says taking Greenland by force 'would degrade both our national security'

Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, has said taking Greenland by force “would degrade both our national security and our international relationships.”

I continue to hope the administration’s rhetoric on Greenland is nothing more than posturing for a new era of cooperation, because any effort to claim or take the territory by force would degrade both our national security and our international relationships. We have a long…

— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 7, 2026

The White House has said it was considering using the military to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark.

Mike Johnson says he doesn't think military action in Greenland is 'appropriate'

When asked whether he would be comfortable using military action to seize Greenland, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday, “No, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

U.S. estimates about 75 people were killed in Venezuela raid: report

The U.S. government estimates about 75 people were killed in the military raid in Venezuela that led to the capture of now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro, officials familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

Venezuelan oil could mean a nearly $3 billion pay day for U.S.: report

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Venezuela will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of “sanctioned oil,” which the U.S. will then sell.

The Associated Press reported that the sale could be worth as much as $2.8 billion with oil trading at about $56 a barrel.

Trump said he will control the money from the sale “to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.”

House and Senate to receive closed-door briefings on Venezuela operation Wednesday

The House and Senate will receive closed-door briefings on the U.S. raid in Venezuela on Wednesday, per CNN.

Top lawmakers on Capitol Hill were already briefed Monday by officials from the Trump administration, which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said “gave us no clear answer to what comes next in Venezuela” after its now-deposed leader Nicolás Maduro was captured.

Watch: Fox News host taking oil from Venezuela is 'good for America'

Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld said Tuesday evening that taking oil from Venezuela is “good for America.”

“When he says we are taking the oil, we can go, ‘Wow, that’s kind of brass.’ Yeah, but it's honest. And is it good for America? Well, yeah. It was our oil,” Gutfeld said on The Five.

Gutfeld: When he says we are taking the oil, we say wow… but it's honest. And is it good for America? Well, yeah. It was our oil. pic.twitter.com/fxiXHJAOkH

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 6, 2026

President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuela stole oil from the U.S. But several international energy law experts told the BBC that wasn’t the case.

Read more about Trump’s plan to seize Venezuela’s oil industry from the Associated Press’ Josh Funk:

Trump's plan to seize and revitalize Venezuela's oil industry faces major hurdles

Watch: Chuck Schumer lists questions about Venezuela that went unanswered in Congressional briefing

Senator Chuck Schumer on the Venezuela briefing from the White House: "Every one of those answers would disappoint almost all of America" pic.twitter.com/kmJUQNvrIS

— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) January 6, 2026

Venezuelan opposition leader says she should lead the country after Maduro’s ouster

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has said she should lead the country after Nicolás Maduro’s ouster.

When asked by CBS Evening News host Tony Dokoupil in an episode that aired Tuesday if she should be the next leader of Venezuela, Machado said, “Absolutely yes.”

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the country’s interim leader Monday.

Ruben Gallego reacts to Trump weighing using military to acquire Greenland: 'INSANE"

Senator Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, has reacted to President Donald Trump considering the use of the U.S. military to acquire Greenland.

“INSANE. This is why I’m taking action,” Gallego wrote on X Tuesday. “Congress MUST act so I’m introducing my War Powers Resolution to stop this Dumbroe Doctrine.”

INSANE. This is why I’m taking action.

Congress MUST act so I’m introducing my War Powers Resolution to stop this Dumbroe Doctrine. https://t.co/s9Ow1d9AmU

— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) January 6, 2026

Gallego’s resolution is an attempt to prevent Trump from invading Greenland, a mineral-rich island in the Arctic that’s a self-governing territory of Denmark.

Republican and Democratic senators defend Denmark amid Trump's threats against Greenland

Senators Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, have defended Denmark’s sovereignty amid President Donald Trump's threats to acquire Greenland.

Greenland, a mineral-rich Arctic island, is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.

Tillis and Shaheen, co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, said in a joint statement Tuesday that Denmark “has earned our unwavering respect.”

“When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” the senators said.

“With an active war in Ukraine and rising threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, we cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO. The strength of the transatlantic community lies in its unity, built on mutual respect rather than transactional rhetoric,” the statement continued.

Watch: Republican Rep. Don Bacon calls White House rhetoric about Greenland 'appalling'

Bacon on the administration's rhetoric about Greenland: "This is one of the silliest things I've heard come out of the White House in the last year. It's unacceptable and I hope other Republicans line up behind me and make it clear to the White House that it's wrong." pic.twitter.com/HH9LlDX5aJ

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 6, 2026

Marco Rubio told lawmakers Trump admin wants to buy Greenland: report

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers during a closed-door briefing Monday that the Trump administration wants to buy Greenland from Denmark, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Wall Street Journal.

But the White House said in a public statement Tuesday that using the U.S. military to acquire the Arctic island was not off the table.

Senate Democrats attempt to curb Trump’s warmaking abilities after Venezuela raid

Democrats in the Senate are pushing a pair of War Powers resolutions aimed at curbing Donald Trump’s ability to wage war abroad after the president directed a U.S. strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro – and with the president leaving open the possibility that other countries could also be targeted.

Sen. Ruben Gallego on Tuesday announced a resolution aimed at preventing the president from using military force in an attempt to seize Greenland amid renewed threats from the White House challenging Denmark’s sovereignty over the territory. His announcement comes as the Senate is due on Thursday to vote on a separate resolution aimed at preventing further U.S. strikes inside Venezuela without congressional authority.

Read on...

Senate Democrats attempt to curb Trump’s warmaking abilities after Venezuela raid

Trump says Venezuela is 'turning over' millions of barrels of oil

President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela is “turning over” millions of barrels of oil.

“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.

“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!

“I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday evening.

Seven U.S. service members injured in Venezuela raid: report

Seven U.S. service members were injured in the operation that led to the capture of Venezuela’s now-deposed President Nicolás Maduro, the Associated Press reported, citing the Pentagon.

Out of those seven service members, two are still recovering from their injuries that occurred during Saturday’s raid.

A U.S. official told the AP the service members suffered from gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries.

Democrat senator gladly backs Ruben Gallego's war powers resolution to prevent Greenland invasion

Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, told The Independent Tuesday that he has gladly co-sponsored Senator Ruben Gallego’s war powers resolution to prevent President Donald Trump from invading Greenland.

Kaine tells me “I’m glad to Cosponsor” Gallego’s War Powers resolution to prevent Trump from invading Greenland

— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) January 6, 2026

The Arizona Democrat wrote on X on Monday, “Trump is on a high from his illegal operation in Venezuela and is bragging about potentially sending our young men and women into more stupid wars of conquest. Greenland could be next.”

Trump is on a high from his illegal operation in Venezuela and is bragging about potentially sending our young men and women into more stupid wars of conquest. Greenland could be next.

I’m introducing an amendment to make it clear that Congress will not bankroll illegal,…

— Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) January 6, 2026

Watch: Chuck Schumer says he was 'very disappointed' by Trump administration's answer when asked about targeting more countries

Schumer: I asked for assurances that they were not planning operations in other countries like Colombia and Cuba and I was very disappointed in their answer. pic.twitter.com/724DWBrw7B

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 6, 2026

Europe’s showdown with Trump over threat to Greenland

Europe set up a showdown with Donald Trump after its leaders joined Canada and Denmark to rally behind Greenland, insisting it “belongs to its people” as the US president doubled down on threats to imminently annex the strategic, mineral-rich island.

Despite backlash from Europe the White House insisted on Tuesday it is "discussing options for acquiring Greenland.”

"President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it's vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” the Trump administration said in a statement.

“The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal,” the statement added.

Earlier in the day, leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain had joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending Greenland’s sovereignty.

“Greenland belongs to its people,” the statement said. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Read on...

Europe’s showdown with Trump over threat to Greenland

Watch: Pam Bondi calls Nicolás Maduro a 'monster'

.@AGPamBondi on the arrest of Maduro: "This isn't just a drug dealer. He's a monster. He's a narcoterrorist... they supplied these drug dealers with machine guns, with grenades, with everything to further their cocaine conspiracy and what they were doing around our country." pic.twitter.com/2Z43YpwSTK

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 6, 2026

INSIDE STORY: What the Greenland locals really think of Trump – and why he could be in for a shock

When President Trump first said he wanted to buy Greenland, I asked many local people what they thought. I didn’t hear a single person say it would be a good idea then, and I am still waiting. As for the most recent soundbite from the president about looking down the coast and seeing “Russian and Chinese ships all over the place”, the typical response here is: “Trump is talking nonsense again.”

But then Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, a former senior adviser to Trump, posted a picture of Greenland draped in the American flag, accompanied by the ominous single word “SOON”, and suddenly everything feels a bit more serious. Not for nothing are Greenlandic people now flooding social media with pictures of Greenland in the colours of their flag.

Read on...

What the Greenland locals really think of Trump – and why he’s in for a shock

ANALYSIS: The White House wants to ‘own’ the Western hemisphere. Voters aren’t really buying it

Like a novice gambler whose response to a big win is to start betting bigger, the Trump White House is doubling down on their aggressive approach to the Americas in the wake of the U.S. military raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.

Over the four days that have elapsed since the daring, unprecedented — and according to critics, illegal — special forces action that brought Maduro from a Caracas safe house to a New York courtroom on drug and weapons charges, the president and his allies in the White House have proceeded to threaten or warn of military action against multiple American allies and neighbors, including Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Denmark, the NATO member kingdom which has controlled Greenland in whole or in part since the 16th century.

Trump himself told reporters on Sunday that the result of his decision to have U.S. forces seize Maduro was to show that “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again,” while claiming that his administration’s aim was to make sure the hemisphere was filled with “countries around us that are viable and successful and where the oil is allowed to freely come out.”

For Trump, it was a return to the bellicose rhetoric he’d spouted since the days immediately following his 2024 election victory, when he began claiming the U.S. needs to annex Greenland for “national security” reasons despite the existence of a decades-old treaty that essentially gives America carte blanche to base troops there as part of the country’s commitment to NATO.

Read on...

The White House wants to ‘own’ the Western hemisphere. Voters aren’t really buying it

Trump is considering using military to acquire Greenland

The Trump administration is weighing options to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.

"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal,” the White House said Tuesday.