Summary
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Trump said the US may sell or retain oil seized near Venezuela.
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The seized crude could be used to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
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Washington will also keep the confiscated ships, Trump said.
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The move follows tighter US enforcement on Venezuelan-linked oil flows.
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Comments add to geopolitical uncertainty in energy markets.
US President Donald Trump said the United States is weighing whether to sell oil seized near Venezuela in recent weeks or retain it for domestic use, including potentially adding it to the nation’s strategic stockpiles.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said Washington could take multiple approaches to the confiscated crude. “Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it,” he said, adding that the oil could be used to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Trump also said the seized vessels themselves would be retained by the United States.
The comments follow a recent escalation in US enforcement actions targeting oil shipments linked to Venezuela, part of a broader effort to tighten pressure on Caracas through sanctions and maritime controls. The moves have added a geopolitical risk premium to oil markets, particularly as supply conditions remain sensitive to disruptions.
While Trump did not provide details on the volume of oil seized or a timeline for any sale or transfer to reserves, his remarks highlight the flexibility Washington is seeking in managing confiscated energy assets. Any decision to sell the oil could add marginal supply to the market, while diverting it to the SPR would reduce near-term market impact but strengthen US energy security.
The comments come as traders continue to assess the implications of tougher enforcement on sanctioned oil flows, with recent developments already contributing to heightened volatility in crude prices.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.
