Trump Calls Venezuela a ‘New Friend and Partner’ in State of the Union Address

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the U.S. Congress during his State of the Union speech and described Venezuela as a “new friend and partner.”

During the address, Trump stated that the United States has already imported 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. International media have interpreted this as a sign of improving relations between the two countries.

He also spoke about progress in domestic energy production, highlighting his administration’s “drill, baby, drill” policy aimed at expanding oil and gas extraction both on land and offshore. Trump claimed that the United States has increased daily oil production by around 600,000 barrels and that natural gas production has reached record levels. He emphasized that the goal of the policy is to boost energy production, create jobs, and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

Beginning what he described as his second State of the Union of his second term, Trump declared, “Our country is back—better, richer, and stronger than ever.” Traditionally, the U.S. president addresses Congress each year in January or February in a speech known as the State of the Union.

Democratic Lawmakers Protest During Address

Meanwhile, members of the opposition Democratic Party staged protests during the speech. Some lawmakers attended wearing symbolic outfits and pins.

Representative Al Green was escorted out of the chamber after displaying a placard reading “Black People Are Not Apes!” Despite being asked by a Republican lawmaker to remove the poster, he refused. Senator Markwayne Mullin reportedly attempted to intervene before Green was eventually removed, leading to a brief disruption in the session.