Florida Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar deleted a post criticizing Donald Trump's agreement on Venezuelan oil before issuing a revised statement that praised the deal. Salazar, who represents parts of South Florida with a significant Hispanic population including many immigrants from socialist and communist countries, initially posted on her official government X account Saturday evening.

"Any oil 'deal' with Venezuela's interim regime has an expiration date: the day President Trump leaves the White House," Salazar wrote. Her initial message also stated that Venezuela's leader was "buying time," had "stolen American investments," and that "no lasting deal" would occur without democracy.

Approximately one hour later, the posts were removed. A new message appeared on her personal political account, offering a starkly different perspective. "The U.S.-Venezuela oil deal is a great deal for the United States and the Venezuelan people," Salazar stated. She added that "America is stepping in, and American investment and influence offer Venezuela a path toward prosperity, stability, and security," though she still criticized Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez as "the wrong person to make this deal with."

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Salazar's representatives were contacted for comment regarding the differing messages.

Trump announced Friday that he had secured what he described as the "biggest oil deal in world history" with Venezuela. He stated that the agreement would fill the Strategic National Reserves, which he claims have been depleted under the Biden administration. Trump asserted that the deal would provide control over more than 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, a move he believes will reduce gas prices for Americans. He credited Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for brokering the transaction with Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

"This Historic Transaction MORE THAN DOUBLES American Oil Reserves, greatly increases our Oil Supply, and will substantially lower Gas Prices for all Americans, long into the future, while helping to continue to set Venezuela on a course toward Tremendous Success and Great Prosperity," Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday. He also stated the deal came at "no cost to the American taxpayer" and would "greatly strengthen the already growing relationship between Venezuela and the United States."

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The deal was reportedly made in conjunction with private businesses, including American oil firms, according to Axios. This marks the second agreement Trump has made with the current Venezuelan government since the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro in January during "Operation Absolute Resolve."

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Following Maduro's ouster in January, Trump suggested that U.S. oil companies could return to Venezuela to access its oil reserves. Venezuela possesses one of the world's largest oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels, which is approximately 17 percent of the global supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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