Overview
- A Jan. 9 presidential order declared a national emergency and directed that Venezuelan crude-sale revenues be placed in U.S. Treasury–controlled accounts shielded from private claims.
- The administration says the proceeds constitute sovereign Venezuelan assets under U.S. control for diplomatic purposes and could be distributed to Venezuela at Washington’s discretion.
- A U.S. delegation visited Caracas on Jan. 9 to discuss reopening the long-shuttered embassy, and the interim government said it will send its own delegation to Washington.
- President Trump said he canceled a planned “second wave” of attacks and, with interim authorities, announced the seizure of a departing tanker whose cargo will be sold through U.S.-involved transactions.
- After meeting executives from 17 oil companies, Trump floated $100 billion for rebuilding Venezuela’s energy sector and offered security guarantees, while major firms signaled caution over legal and safety risks.