President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to visit an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude in Texas on Tuesday, a U.S. official told Politico. The visit will highlight an August agreement granting the United States majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s oil reserves.
Trump also plans to hold rallies in Corpus Christi and Lubbock to rally Republican voters ahead of a competitive Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Rubio will accompany Trump in his role as national security adviser but is not expected to speak at either event, the official said. The position of Secretary of State traditionally shies away participating in domestic politics during campaigns. Several other Cabinet members have appeared at the president’s political events this election cycle.
The White House has promoted the Venezuelan oil agreement as part of its effort to lower gasoline prices, which remain a concern for voters amid the economic effects of the conflict with Iran.
According to the White House, the agreement gives the U.S. government a 35 percent stake in the parent company of North American Blue Energy Partners, which received concessions to develop 17 Venezuelan oil fields. Washington also secured the right to purchase 20 percent of the company’s production at cost and first refusal on the remaining output. The administration says those supplies could help replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and meet military energy needs.
