Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, demanded answers from the Departments of Treasury, State, and Energy regarding their roles in managing Venezuelan oil revenue. Specifically, the letters request a detailed accounting of funds and agreements with the Venezuelan regime, and raise questions about the Trump Administration’s $1 billion sale of Venezuelan oil and lack of transparency before Congress.
“The Trump Administration’s shady oil deal in Venezuela should concern every American. It’s clear the White House is avoiding congressional oversight and dodging accountability. Given this Administration’s track record of corruption, it’s even more critical that Congress has full visibility and receives answers immediately. Oversight Democrats will not stop until we know exactly who is profiting from these decisions and the full extent of this scheme is exposed,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
On January 9, Ranking Member Garcia and every Oversight Democrat demanded answers on any communication from the Trump Administration with major oil companies Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Continental Resources regarding the Trump Administration’s military action against Venezuela and the President’s plan to seize the country’s oil wealth. The Committee received responses from ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron.
On January 29, Ranking Member Garcia demanded answers from oil trading companies Vitol and Trafigura regarding their role in the Trump Administration’s sale of Venezuelan oil and any agreements made between the companies and the Administration.
With the Trump Administration’s initial sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at about $500 million, Vitol and Trafigura stand to make significant profit from the sale of Venezuelan oil. Vitol’s role in this initial sale is particularly concerning, as campaign finance records show that Vitol senior trader John Addison had previously donated $6 million towards President Trump’s campaign. The letter also raised serious concerns whether the companies were given advanced notice of military action against Venezuela.
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