Kathmandu. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Venezuela will supply the United States between “three million and five million barrels” of crude oil. He pledged to use the proceeds from the sale of the oil for the “benefit of the people” of both countries.

The White House said it would hold a meeting on Friday with top US oil executives to discuss Venezuela. The Trump administration has been pushing Venezuela’s vast but troubled oil industry to become more open to US investment and technology. Representatives from Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend the meeting.

On the same day, Caracas authorities confirmed that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers had been killed overnight. The officers were killed during a U.S. military operation to detain President Nicolás Maduro and face drug charges in the United States. Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez reacted sharply to Trump’s warning, saying the fate of those who threaten her “will be determined by God”.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tariq William Saab said dozens of civilians were killed in the raid and that prosecutors were investigating it as a “war crime”. Meanwhile, the Cuban government has confirmed the death of 32 of its army and police officers working in Venezuela.

According to the Pentagon, seven US soldiers were wounded in the raid, five of whom have returned to duty and two are undergoing treatment. The injured were found to have sustained bullet and shrapnel injuries.

The value of Trump’s deal is expected to reach $2.8 billion, with oil trading currently at $56 a barrel. Although Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, the country’s daily production is limited to about 1 million barrels, which is much lower than US production.

Meanwhile, Trump has hit back at Democratic criticism of the military operation on Venezuela, calling it the right move. Maduro was indicted by the United States in 2020 on charges of narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking and a $50 million reward has been announced for his arrest.

According to the latest US opinion poll, Americans are divided on Maduro’s arrest. About 40 percent supported the operation, while about the same percentage opposed it. A majority of Americans believe that the Venezuelan people should decide their own future.

The Trump administration’s tough foreign policy after Maduro’s arrest has raised concerns around the world. At the same time, international reaction to Greenland’s sovereignty and possible military action against Colombia has intensified. Major European countries have clarified that Greenland is an autonomous region of Denmark and the rights of its people are paramount.