In a significant development that is reshaping the energy landscape in the Americas, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright revealed new figures concerning Venezuelan oil revenues, which are now under direct US supervision. The Secretary confirmed that sales have already exceeded $1 billion, with optimistic projections indicating a substantial increase to approximately $5 billion in the coming months, signaling a strategic shift in the management of Venezuelan resources.
American refining and control strategy
According to Western media reports, Wright explained that the mechanism involves transporting Venezuelan crude oil to be refined in US refineries. This move is of significant economic and technical importance, as refineries in Texas and the Gulf Coast region of the United States are specifically designed to handle the "heavy crude" that Venezuela is known for producing—a type of crude that is difficult to refine in many other refineries worldwide. This integration revives a vital energy artery that had been severely damaged by sanctions and mismanagement in recent years.
Revenue Fund and Support for the Interim Government
Regarding the financial management of these resources, the US official indicated that the Trump administration had established a strict mechanism to ensure that these funds did not reach the former regime, but were instead transferred directly to support the "interim government" in Venezuela. Washington aims, through this measure, to enable the new leadership to build an economic base that will contribute to alleviating the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Venezuelan people, while continuing to oversee the flow of proceeds and sales to ensure transparency.
The prospect of a political solution and the upcoming elections
The US administration has linked the energy sector to a final political solution in Caracas. The Secretary of State explained that US oversight will continue until a fully elected and representative government is formed in Venezuela, suggesting that free and fair elections will be held before the end of President Trump's second term. This linkage confirms that oil is no longer merely a commodity, but has become a key tool for exerting pressure and providing support to accelerate the democratic transition.
Trump: An exceptional phase in bilateral relations
For his part, US President Donald Trump praised the results achieved, noting that Venezuela was beginning to reap financial benefits it hadn't seen in years of recession. Trump emphasized that the flow of oil and its revenues would play a pivotal role in supporting the Venezuelan people, describing relations with the "interim president of Venezuela" as excellent and stating that bilateral relations between the two countries were at an exceptional stage, promising a future of close economic and political cooperation.
