US President Donald Trump has claimed that his policies are “already making Venezuela rich and safe again” as his administration moves to protect Venezuelan oil revenue and court investment from major energy firms.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Mr Trump wrote: “I love the Venezuelan people, and am already making Venezuela rich and safe again,” thanking those he said were contributing to the effort.
The comments came after Mr Trump met with leaders of major US and international oil companies at the White House. He said they were considering large-scale investment in Venezuela’s oil sector, and described the gathering as productive. However, industry executives have expressed caution, noting that legal uncertainties, political instability and the need for substantial reform make investment difficult.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration took the extraordinary step of deploying US forces in what it called a special operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro has since been transferred to the United States to face federal charges related to drug trafficking.
The White House subsequently signed an executive order to declare a national emergency and protect Venezuelan oil revenues held in US Treasury accounts from seizure by courts or private creditors. The order said these funds are “sovereign property of Venezuela held in US custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes” and are crucial to stabilising the country’s economy and supporting US foreign policy objectives.
Officials described the move as essential to preserving funds that the US hopes will be used to advance economic and political stability in Venezuela, while countering illicit drugs and other security threats.
The administration’s actions have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue that protecting oil revenue and encouraging foreign investment could help rebuild Venezuela’s struggling economy. Critics, including international law experts and some foreign governments, say the military operation and subsequent policy measures violate Venezuelan sovereignty and international legal norms.
In Venezuela itself, there have been protests and warnings of continued unrest, with some factions decrying the US intervention as imperialist.
As the situation unfolds, the Trump administration says it will continue to push for economic revival and political transition, positioning its actions as part of a broader effort to foster long-term stability in the region.
