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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash
Axios
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Politics & Policy
Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash
Lauren Floyd
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Man in tie at podium points
President Trump takes questions from reporters during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House. Photo: Alex Wong/ Getty Images
President Trump declared a national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil revenue held by the U.S. government from seizure by private creditors, framing it as critical to U.S. national security and regional stability.
The big picture: Control of Venezuelan oil some $2.5 billion worth is now a cornerstone of the White House's strategy in the Western Hemisphere and an opening for U.S. companies in the wake of Nicolás Maduro's capture.
U.S. oil giants fell short of committing rapid investment in the South American country during a meeting with Trump on Friday, but senior officials earlier told Axios the U.S. plans to manage Venezuelan oil sales and revenue "indefinitely."
State of play: Trump said in the recent order, signed late Friday, that losing control of Venezuelan oil revenue would "materially harm the national security and foreign policy of the United States" by undermining efforts to stabilize Venezuela.
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/10/trump-venezuela-oil-national-emergency
Johonny
(25,506 posts)I'm sure this will go well. BTW, has he noticed how American oil companies seem to not be jumping at the chance to get in on this oil. Hmm
orangecrush
(28,529 posts)He did squeeze them for donations to his ballroom, though.
CincyDem
(7,319 posts)Johonny
(25,506 posts)Mysterious went up by a factor of three under Maduro. The US oil companies know how much oil is really there.
CincyDem
(7,319 posts)Theres a reason vz has had the world largest pockets and still today 50 years after the opec shock, nobodys seriously tried to poke it. Even the shallow shit is
well
shit.
vanessa_ca
(616 posts)The order blocks any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process against Venezuelan oil and diluent sales revenue held by the Treasury,
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Safeguards Venezuelan Oil Revenue for the Good of the American and Venezuelan People
The White House
January 9, 2026
PROTECTING VENEZUELAN OIL REVENUE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to safeguard Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. Treasury accounts from attachment or judicial process, ensuring these funds are preserved to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives.
The Order blocks any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process against Foreign Government Deposit Funds.
Foreign Government Deposit Funds are defined as the Venezuelan oil revenues and diluent sales held in U.S. Treasury accounts.
The Order prohibits transfers or dealings in these funds except as authorized, superseding any prior Orders that might block or regulate them.
The Order affirms the funds are sovereign property of Venezuela held in U.S. custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes, not subject to private claims.
ADVANCING U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY: President Trump is preventing the seizure of Venezuelan oil revenue that could undermine critical U.S. efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela.
Allowing attachment of these funds would directly jeopardize U.S. objectives, including stemming the influx of illegal aliens and disrupting the flood of illicit narcotics, which has resulted in the death of countless thousands of American citizens.
Loss of control over these revenues would empower malign actors like Iran and Hezbollah while weakening efforts to bring peace, prosperity, and stability to the Venezuelan people and to the Western Hemisphere as a whole.
The funds are held solely for sovereign purposes, and their protection reinforces U.S. compliance with international obligations and supports broader diplomatic objectives.
PUTTING AMERICA FIRST: President Trump has relentlessly confronted threats from the Maduro regime and its enablers to defend American interests and strengthen hemispheric security.
On Day One, President Trump designated eight cartels, including Tren de Aragua, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) to combat their violence and drug trafficking.
President Trump authorized lethal force against narcoterrorists to stop the flow of deadly drugs into this country.
President Trump ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.
President Trump offered multiple off ramps to Maduro and his illegitimate regime, but he was clear that the drug trafficking must stop.
Last week, U.S. armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in support of law enforcement to bring outlaw dictator Maduro to justice.
It is in the national interest of the United States to be surrounded by safe, secure, and stable countries; The Presidents actions reestablish deterrence in the Western hemisphere.
By safeguarding these oil revenues, President Trump is promoting stability in Venezuela while advancing America First objectives: stopping illegal immigration, blocking deadly narcotics, and countering malign foreign influence.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-safeguards-venezuelan-oil-revenue-for-the-good-of-the-american-and-venezuelan-people/