Trump Signals Preference to Bar Exxon From Venezuela On January 12, President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he is “inclined to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela” after the company’s chief executive expressed doubt about investing following Nicolás Maduro’s ouster [1][2]. He criticized Exxon’s stance as “playing too cute,” indicating personal displeasure with the firm’s skepticism. The comment followed a Friday meeting with oil executives where the administration discussed directing oil deals through the United States rather than the Venezuelan government.

Exxon CEO Declares Venezuelan Oil Uninvestable Darren Woods, ExxonMobil’s chairman and CEO, warned at the same Friday gathering that the current commercial constructs and frameworks in Venezuela render the country “uninvestable” [1][2][3]. Woods highlighted the lack of a viable legal and financial structure for foreign investors, citing the nation’s political instability and sanctions regime. His remarks underscored the private‑sector hesitation that complicates Washington’s effort to revive Venezuela’s oil output.

Executive Order Shields Venezuelan Oil Revenue From Seizure Trump signed an executive order on January 9, publicly released on January 10, to prevent Venezuelan oil‑derived money from being seized in private lawsuits [1][2][3]. The order invokes the National Emergencies Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, declaring the revenue as Venezuelan property held by the United States for diplomatic purposes. The administration argues that protecting these funds is essential to maintaining economic and political stability in Venezuela.

White House Positions U.S. as Central Oil Deal Facilitator The White House frames its Venezuela strategy in economic terms, citing recent seizures of tankers carrying Venezuelan crude and plans to control sales of “tens of millions of barrels” of previously sanctioned oil [1][2][3]. Officials say future transactions will occur directly with the United States, bypassing the Venezuelan government, to assure investors of oversight and to channel revenue toward U.S. policy goals. This approach signals a broadening U.S. role in managing Venezuela’s oil sector amid ongoing sanctions.