# US-Venezuela energy sector intervention

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-venezuela-energy-sector-intervention
> Updated: 2026-08-20T19:59:22.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

President Donald Trump has stated that Energy Secretary Chris Wright is “directing” Venezuela, describing the administration’s intervention as a “one-day war.” 

Following Wright’s February 2026 visit to Venezuela to meet with interim president Delcy Rodríguez and tour oil installations, the U.S. administration relaxed sanctions on the Venezuelan energy sector. The U.S. Treasury issued General Licenses 49 and 50, allowing companies including Chevron, BP, Eni, Shell, and Repsol to resume operations. This strategy, which includes an “oil quarantine” announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, aims to attract up to $100 billion in oil-sector investment while maintaining control over petroleum revenue.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: Energy Secretary Wright to announce refinery output measures to address high gas prices

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced imminent government measures to boost refinery output to combat rising gasoline prices while criticizing clean energy initiatives for increasing costs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/energy-secretary-wright-to-announce-refinery-output-measures-to-address-high-gas-prices

### 2026-07-23: Donald Trump says US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is directing Venezuela

President Donald Trump claimed Energy Secretary Chris Wright is directing Venezuela, referencing his February visit, recent U.S. sanctions relief and a push for $100 billion in oil investment.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-says-us-energy-secretary-chris-wright-is-leading-venezuela

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Cite as: US-Venezuela energy sector intervention. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-venezuela-energy-sector-intervention