President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the United States would purchase between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price, claiming the transaction would benefit both nations.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said Venezuela’s “Interim Authorities” would sell what he described as “high quality” oil to the US. He added that Energy Secretary Chris Wright had been directed to execute the plan immediately.

According to Trump, the oil would be transported using storage ships and unloaded directly at US ports. He further stated that the funds from the sale would be controlled by him as president but used for the benefit of the people of Venezuela as well as the United States.

White House meeting with oil executives planned

Separately, the White House is preparing to host a meeting at the Oval Office on Friday with senior oil industry executives to discuss Venezuela-related developments. Representatives from major energy companies, including Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, are expected to attend, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Venezuela holds nearly one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves. However, analysts have cautioned that any rapid increase in production could face serious challenges due to ageing infrastructure, low global prices and continued political uncertainty.

Venezuelan leadership rejects US control claims

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez rejected Trump’s assertion that Washington was now “in charge” of the country following the capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking on Tuesday, Rodriguez insisted that no foreign power was governing Venezuela. “The government of Venezuela is in charge in our country, and no-one else,” she said, adding that the country would not surrender to external pressure.

Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro, has offered mixed signals on cooperation with the US, balancing conciliatory remarks with strong resistance amid pressure from security forces and paramilitary groups.

Military casualties confirmed after US operation

Venezuela’s military confirmed losses for the first time, releasing a list of 23 troops, including five generals, killed during US strikes that preceded Maduro’s capture. Cuba, a close ally of the former Venezuelan leadership, also reported the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel, many linked to Maduro’s security detail.

The Venezuelan government has not released an official count of civilian casualties. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said “dozens” of civilians and military personnel were killed but did not provide a detailed breakdown.

Tensions escalated in southern Nepal after a mosque was vandalised in Dhanusha district, sparking violent protests in Parsa and Dhanusha Dham districts near the Indian border.

Demonstrations turn violent

Protests initially began in Parsa following the circulation of a video with alleged religious content on social media. The demonstrations soon turned violent, prompting authorities to intervene. Police in Birgunj town, a key area in Parsa district adjoining Raxaul in India, resorted to firing tear gas shells to control the crowd.

Border restrictions

Amid the escalating unrest, India has completely sealed its borders with Nepal in the affected region, restricting cross-border movements except for emergency services. A high-security alert has been issued across the districts to prevent further incidents.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as communal tensions remain high in the region.

A 40-year-old Hindu man was killed in Bangladesh late Monday night, marking the second such killing reported within 24 hours and intensifying concerns over the safety of minorities in the country.

The victim, identified as Sarat Mani Chakraborty, owned a grocery store in the Narsingdi district. According to local information, he was attacked with sharp weapons around 10 pm on Monday and later succumbed to his injuries.

Second killing reported within hours

Just hours before Chakraborty’s death, Rana Pratap, a 45-year-old factory owner, was shot dead in the Jashore district. Pratap, who also served as the acting editor of a newspaper, was allegedly called out of his ice factory in Kopalia Bazar by a group of men on Monday evening.

He was taken to a nearby alley, where he was shot in the head. His throat was also slit. Police recovered seven bullet casings from the spot. A police officer said Pratap was shot three times in the head, adding that an investigation is underway to identify those involved.

Local residents said the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, argued briefly with Pratap, fired multiple rounds and fled the scene. Sources claimed that Pratap had several cases filed against him.

Series of attacks on minorities

Monday’s killings come amid a series of violent incidents targeting minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, who make up about 7 per cent of the population.

On Saturday, a Hindu woman in Jhenaidah district was allegedly raped by two men who also demanded money from her. She was reportedly tied to a tree, her hair cut off, and videos of the assault were circulated on social media. She later lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital by local residents.

Earlier, Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was attacked and set on fire while returning home after closing his shop in a village about 150 km from Dhaka. He managed to jump into a pond, which prevented fatal burns to his head and face, but later died in hospital on January 3.

Other recent incidents include the killing of Bajendra Biswas, 40, who was shot dead at a garment factory in Mymensingh on December 29, and the lynching of Amrit Mondal, 29, in Rajbari on December 24 over alleged extortion.

On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, 29, was lynched and his body set on fire in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy, an incident that drew international attention.

India expresses concern

India has voiced strong concern over what it described as continued hostility against minorities in Bangladesh.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last month that violence against minorities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, remained a matter of grave concern. He added that over 2,900 incidents, including killings, arson and land seizures, have been documented by independent sources during the tenure of the interim government.

According to the ministry, such incidents cannot be dismissed as exaggeration or isolated political violence.