U.S. Revenue from Venezuelan Oil Exceeds $13 Billion
President Donald Trump said the United States has generated more than $13 billion from Venezuelan oil sales in 2026 under a U.S.-controlled export arrangement. The figure is based on data from the shipping‑tracker firm Kpler, which calculated the value of shipments at about $11.5 billion, rising to over $13 billion when all oil grades are included.
The funds are held by the U.S. Treasury in a custodial mechanism meant to protect Venezuela’s assets while the country recovers from the January U.S. military operation that removed Nicolás Maduro. Transparency is limited; the Venezuelan government’s monitoring website shows only a single transaction of $300 million made in March. The U.S. Energy Department has said the money will be used “in the interest of both the American and Venezuelan peoples.” Trump also claimed the oil revenues have repaid the cost of the military operation twenty‑eight times.
Entities: Donald Trump · Kpler · Nicolás Maduro · United States Treasury · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The United States generated more than $13 billion from Venezuelan oil sales in 2026. (Both articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The custodial mechanism was created after a U.S. military operation in January that removed Nicolás Maduro. (Both articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The revenue estimate is based on Kpler’s shipping data and price assessments. (Financial Times analysis citing Kpler)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Only one transaction of $300 million has been posted on Venezuela’s monitoring website. (Venezuelan government website)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The U.S. Energy Department said the funds would be used for the benefit of both the American and Venezuelan peoples. (U.S. Energy Department)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Direct shipment value is about $11.5 billion; total revenues exceed $13 billion when all oil types are considered. (Kpler data)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Trump claimed the United States recouped the cost of the Venezuelan operation 28 times through oil revenues. (Trump’s statements)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. Treasury holds the oil revenue funds in a custodial mechanism on behalf of Venezuela. (Both articles)