Overview
- A Jan. 9 emergency order places Venezuelan oil-sale revenues under U.S. control and shields the funds from private seizure, with proceeds held in Treasury-managed accounts for foreign policy purposes.
- Trump publicly urged Cuba to “make a deal,” vowed to cut off Venezuelan oil and money to Havana, and said the U.S. military would protect Venezuela rather than Cuba.
- A U.S. diplomatic delegation visited Caracas on Jan. 9 to discuss reopening the long-closed embassy, and Venezuela’s interim government said it will send a delegation to seek restored ties.
- U.S. officials and the interim government coordinated the seizure of an unauthorized tanker that departed Venezuela, with plans to sell the cargo through U.S.-involved transactions.
- After praising prisoner releases and initial oil talks, Trump said a planned “second wave” of attacks was unnecessary and met U.S. oil executives about potential investments up to $100 billion, though companies voiced security and legal concerns and only Chevron currently operates there.