Donald Trump says US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is directing Venezuela

President Donald Trump told an audience at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that Energy Secretary Chris Wright is "directing" Venezuela and praised his work. Trump's remarks came during a briefing on July 23, 2026, where he added that the United States is "winning" and described the intervention as a "one‑day war."

Wright traveled to Venezuela on 11 February 2026, meeting interim president Delcy Rodríguez and touring oil installations. His visit followed a Trump administration decision to relax sanctions on the Venezuelan energy sector. Two days later, the U.S. Treasury issued General Licenses 49 and 50, permitting companies such as Chevron, BP, Eni, Shell and Repsol to resume operations and enabling new investments. The administration aims to attract up to $100 billion in oil‑sector investment while retaining control over petroleum revenue.

The statements are part of a broader U.S. strategy that includes an "oil quarantine" and other measures announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. The policy seeks to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry and generate revenue for both countries.