FT: The US received $13 billion from the sale of Venezuelan oil…
FT: The US received $13 billion from the sale of Venezuelan oil since January. FT estimated that US revenue from selling Venezuelan oil in 2026 will exceed $13 billion.
Consensus
- The United States has earned approximately $13 billion from selling Venezuelan oil since January 2026.
- Income from oil sales accounts for about a quarter of Venezuela's GDP.
- There is little visible evidence of economic recovery in Venezuela despite the revenue influx.
- Experts suggest that the lack of noticeable recovery may be due to the U.S. not returning all oil revenues to Venezuela.
- The issue has gained greater urgency following two destructive earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24.
- The United Nations estimates the economic damage from the earthquakes at $37 billion.
Points of divergence
- U.S. administration earned over $13 billion in 2026, with little information provided on where these funds were directed. — interfax
- President Donald Trump claimed that the U.S. had recouped the cost of a military operation on January 3, 2026, 28 times through oil revenues. — interfax
- A senior State Department official, Michael Kozak, stated that $3 billion was sent to Caracas and international auditors were monitoring bank accounts. — interfax
- Congress has not received the promised quarterly reports on fund usage despite a commitment from U.S. officials. — interfax
- The U.S. government claims that funds are used for the benefit of both American and Venezuelan people, but control over financial flows is maintained to influence Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez. — interfax
- Venezuela has created a website to track oil revenue payments to U.S. companies, with only one recorded transaction of $300 million in March. — kommerant
- Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar called for the publication of reports on Venezuelan funds during a congressional hearing on July 21. — kommerant
- The New York Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was involved in discussions about Venezuela’s finances, though the statement is cut off. — interfax
Coverage (3 sources)
- FT: US received $13 billion from Venezuela oil sales since January — Ведомости
- FT estimates US revenue from selling Venezuelan oil in 2026 will exceed $13 billion — Интерфакс
- FT: US received $13 billion from sale of Venezuelan oil — Коммерсантъ