Sources from the White House revealed to the Spanish newspaper ABC that U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 9 aimed at enhancing the administration’s control over funds from the sale of Venezuelan resources, which are now fully under the authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in order to prevent the Chavista regime led by Delcy Rodríguez from accessing these assets following Nicolas Maduro’s downfall.
The text, which was not publicly announced when signed, declares a national emergency and establishes that revenues from the sale of oil or other resources from the country cannot be seized, transferred, or subjected to legal proceedings, and may only be used under the precise instructions of Secretary Rubio.
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This decree grants Rubio the final say on how every dollar related to economic transition and reconstruction of the country will be spent. Furthermore, it emphasizes that “under no circumstance” can Delcy Rodríguez access or make decisions regarding these resources. Meanwhile, Secretary of State must also report to Capitol Hill regarding the U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
According to the document, the decision arrives at an awkward balance for the Trump administration, which maintains a working relationship with Delcy Rodríguez to manage urgent matters such as migration, prisoner release, and a minimal framework for energy operations, while simultaneously seeking to shield each step to prevent this cooperation from being seen as collaboration with the regime.
The measure also responds to immediate pressure from Republicans in Congress, particularly from the influential Florida delegation, closely connected to the exile community and which plays a key role in Venezuela policy. Legislators from the state have expressed open skepticism toward the plan to sell Venezuelan oil while Delcy Rodríguez remains in power.
Trump is considering authorizing the sale of up to 50 million barrels of crude oil. The first operation was reported to have generated $500 million, and Reuters indicated that a substantial portion of these resources was reinjected back into the Venezuelan economy.
Congress members from Florida raised alarms about this. Mario Díaz-Balart warned that Rodríguez is not a transitional figure, but someone with “a very extensive history of corruption.” “She has done horrible things,” he stated. Likewise, María Elvira Salazar demanded permanent oversight: “This must fall into American hands. We know what these people do with money.” Carlos Giménez remarked that the funds could be used for wages or basic supplies, but “not to line the pockets of the regime.”