Overview
- Rep. Robert Garcia asked Vitol and Trafigura for all communications with the Trump administration since January of last year regarding Venezuelan oil.
- Vitol and Trafigura received the first U.S. licenses to load and export Venezuelan crude under the new arrangement.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators the U.S. will keep control of sale proceeds for now and plans to move funds from a Qatari account to a U.S. Treasury blocked account.
- A dozen House Democrats also warned 21 firms that joined a Jan. 9 White House meeting that deals tied to Venezuelan resources carry legal and financial risks.
- Vitol and Trafigura did not immediately respond to inquiries, as legal experts and some Republicans raised concerns about U.S. control of proceeds and potential misuse of funds.