Trump Showcases Venezuelan Oil Tanker in Texas as Senate Race Tightens

United States President Donald Trump campaigned in Texas on Tuesday, using a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil as the backdrop for his energy message, one week before midterm elections in which control of Congress is at stake. Appearing near the Port of Corpus Christi, Trump presented the vessel as the first delivery of Venezuelan oil under an agreement reached after Washington deposed the country’s former leader, then travelled to Lubbock to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton.

FAKTA

• Trump appeared before a tanker near Corpus Christi that he said was carrying Venezuelan crude for Texas refineries.
• The visit took place on Tuesday, 27 October, one week before the 3 November midterm elections.
• Trump campaigned for Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate candidate, who faces Democrat James Talarico in a close race.
• In Lubbock, Trump announced easing methane rules, claiming 45 billion dollars in savings.
• High fuel prices have become a political difficulty for Republicans, with the United States at war with Iran adding to energy costs.

A tanker as the backdrop

Texas has long been a main refining centre for Venezuelan crude, and the tanker, moored within view of the rally, was presented as visible evidence of the new arrangement. USA Today reported that the vessel was said to contain one million barrels of crude heading for local refineries.

Addressing supporters, Trump described the delivery as a major oil victory and said the spoils belonged to the victor, in remarks reported by Reuters. The White House argues that new Venezuelan supplies will help bring down fuel costs, although prices have remained high.

A close Senate contest

Paxton, the Texas attorney general, is locked in a close race with Talarico, and polling averages have put the two candidates in a dead heat. Democrats have not won a statewide election in Texas in 32 years, but the party hopes Talarico can break that run and help it regain control of at least one house of Congress.

Trump’s trip was his third visit to Texas this month, a sign of how important Republicans consider the seat. A loss next Tuesday would complicate the party’s effort to retain its slim Senate majority. Talarico, campaigning separately in Lubbock, told supporters the seat belonged to the people of Texas rather than to wealthy donors.

Fuel prices and the wider stakes

In Lubbock, Trump said he was terminating methane regulations introduced under his predecessor, claiming the move would unlock large volumes of Texas natural gas and oil. The announcement was aimed at voters in an oil-producing state where the economy and cost of living lead election issues.

The campaign remains finely balanced. Republicans present the Venezuelan deal and the methane announcement as proof that their energy approach is delivering results, while Democrats argue that households are still feeling the pressure of high prices. Texas, long regarded as safely Republican, has become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the country.

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