Trump Issues Directive to Block Venezuelan Oil Funds Stored in the US

Trump Moves to Secure Venezuelan Oil Revenue

Photo by Al Drago/Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) In a recent move, President Donald Trump has taken further action to oversee the future distribution of Venezuelan oil profits by declaring a national emergency and signing an order designed to prevent outside parties from claiming these funds.

The executive order, signed on Saturday, aims to protect Venezuelan oil assets held in US Treasury accounts. According to a White House statement, this measure is intended to shield the funds from creditors and legal claims, ensuring they remain available to support US foreign policy interests.

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The White House emphasized that the order confirms these funds are the sovereign property of Venezuela, even when managed by the US for official purposes, and are therefore protected from private legal actions.

The Trump administration has stated that proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan oil—estimated at 30 to 50 million barrels—will be used to benefit both Venezuelan and American citizens. These sales are intended to reduce the growing surplus of stored crude and maintain financial flows following the ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

According to the White House, allowing other nations or creditors to access these funds would undermine US goals and could strengthen adversarial groups such as Iran and Hezbollah.

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