Overview
- The executive order bars any attachment, judgment, lien, execution, garnishment, or similar judicial process against Foreign Government Deposit Funds, which include Venezuelan oil and diluent revenues held at the U.S. Treasury.
- The White House says the funds remain Venezuela’s sovereign property held for governmental and diplomatic purposes and not subject to private claims unless specifically authorized.
- Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, arguing that losing control of the funds would harm U.S. national security and regional stability.
- Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said oil-sale proceeds will first settle in U.S.-controlled accounts and be dispersed at the U.S. government’s discretion for the benefit of Americans and Venezuelans.
- The move follows the recent U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro and comes as the administration discusses marketing 30–50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, while oil executives urged caution and ExxonMobil’s CEO called the country “uninvestable.”