President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday signed a sweeping executive order aimed at protecting Venezuelan oil revenues held in U.S. Treasury accounts, declaring a
national emergency to prevent the funds from being seized through court actions or private claims.
According to the White House, the order is designed to preserve Venezuelan oil and diluent sale revenues for sovereign and diplomatic purposes, while ensuring the funds remain aligned with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. The measure blocks any attachment, judgment, lien, garnishment, or other judicial process against what the administration defines as “Foreign Government Deposit Funds.”
Those funds consist of Venezuelan oil revenues currently held under U.S. custody. The executive order also prohibits any transfer or transaction involving the money unless explicitly authorized, overriding prior directives that may have regulated or restricted the accounts. The administration emphasized that the funds remain the sovereign property of Venezuela and are not subject to private or commercial claims.
National Security and foreign policy rationale
The Trump administration argues that allowing these assets to be seized would directly undermine U.S. efforts to stabilize Venezuela and the broader Western Hemisphere. Officials contend that losing control of the revenues could weaken initiatives aimed at curbing illegal immigration, disrupting narcotics trafficking routes, and countering the influence of hostile foreign actors.
The White House has repeatedly linked instability in Venezuela to increased migration flows and drug trafficking into the United States, asserting that criminal networks exploit economic collapse and political disorder. Administration officials also warned that adversarial groups, including Iranian-linked actors and Hezbollah, could benefit if the funds were diverted from sovereign control.
By shielding the assets, the administration says it is reinforcing U.S. compliance with international norms governing sovereign property, while preserving diplomatic leverage in ongoing efforts to influence Venezuela’s political and economic future.
America first in the Western Hemisphere
The executive order fits into President Trump’s broader “America First” strategy toward Venezuela and regional security. Since returning to office, Trump has intensified pressure on the Maduro government and criminal organizations operating across borders.
On his first day, the president designated eight major cartels—including Tren de Aragua—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. He also authorized expanded use of force against narcoterrorism networks and ordered a comprehensive blockade of sanctioned oil tankers operating in and out of Venezuela.
The administration maintains that it has offered diplomatic off-ramps to Venezuela’s leadership, while insisting that drug trafficking and organized crime must be dismantled. Senior officials say recent U.S. military support operations for law enforcement underscore Washington’s resolve to reestablish deterrence in the region.
Ultimately, the White House argues that protecting Venezuelan oil revenues serves a dual purpose: promoting long-term stability for the Venezuelan people while advancing U.S. priorities of border security, drug interdiction, and limiting hostile foreign influence close to home. Photo by MeanieHyaena, Wikimedia commons.