Related videos:
The government of the United States has completed the return of 500 million dollars to the government of Venezuela corresponding to the profits from the first oil sale managed by Washington, reported Reuters.
The return occurs approximately one month after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, an unprecedented event that marked a turning point in the relations between both countries.
According to sources, the operation included the sale of Venezuelan crude oil worth 500 million dollars, the proceeds of which were initially held under the supervision of U.S. authorities. The final tranche of 200 million has already been transferred to Caracas.
U.S. authorities clarified that these funds will not be freely available for the Venezuelan government. Instead, their disbursement is conditional and will be distributed "for the benefit of the Venezuelan people" based on criteria set by the U.S. government, according to the cited source.
This financial movement is part of a broader scheme through which the United States manages the sale of Venezuelan crude oil following Maduro's capture, controlling the income and ensuring it is allocated to priority expenses such as public employee salaries, medicines, and essential goods.
The decision comes at a time of profound political and economic transformation in Venezuela, amid pressures to open the oil sector to foreign investment and legislative changes aimed at attracting capital after years of stagnation due to sanctions and internal management.
Filed under: