Revenues from sales are kept in accounts of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as well as in the Central Bank of Venezuela and the state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela. The document notes that these funds belong to Venezuela, and the United States acts as custodians.
The ban on operations is intended to protect the funds from potential legal seizure and enforcement. Frozen revenues receive protection from claims by private parties, including creditors and business partners.
The order emphasizes that the threat of seizure or legal action regarding revenues from Venezuelan oil could cause serious harm to U.S. national security and foreign policy, as well as affect efforts to maintain political and economic stability in Venezuela. It is claimed that this decision was made "for the benefit of the American and Venezuelan peoples."
At the same time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the lifting of sanctions restricting the sale of Venezuelan oil is expected next week.
Earlier, Trump stated that the U.S. received Venezuelan oil worth $4 billion in one day.
