Donald Trump signs executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in US accounts

US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to protect revenue from the sale of Venezuelan oil held in US Treasury accounts from any form of legal seizure or judicial action, the White House said in a statement on Saturday. The move is aimed at ensuring that the funds remain under US control to support Washington’s foreign policy objectives toward Venezuela.

According to a White House fact sheet, the order blocks any "attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process" against foreign government deposit funds, specifically including revenues generated from Venezuelan crude oil and related diluent sales held in US accounts.

The administration said the measure is intended to prevent legal claims that could undermine US efforts to influence political and economic stability in Venezuela.

"President Trump is preventing the seizure of Venezuelan oil revenue that could undermine critical US efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela," the fact sheet said.

The White House stressed that the funds remain the sovereign property of Venezuela but are being held in US custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes and are not subject to private or commercial claims unless explicitly authorised.

The executive order comes just a week after US forces carried out overnight raids in



Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Washington claimed the operation was part of a broader campaign to curb what it described as "narco-terrorism" emanating from Caracas and affecting the US.

In a statement, the White House said the order was necessary to safeguard Venezuelan oil revenues from actions that could "directly jeopardize US objectives," including controlling illegal immigration and disrupting illicit narcotics networks.

Officials argued that allowing courts or creditors to access the funds could weaken US leverage and potentially benefit hostile actors.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales would be routed through US-controlled accounts.

"All proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil and products will first settle in US-controlled accounts at globally recognised banks," she said, adding that "those funds will be dispersed for the benefit of the American people and the Venezuelan people at the discretion of the US government".

President Trump described the arrangement as a strategic partnership between the two countries.

"In other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner — a wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States," he said.