President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order declaring a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. Treasury accounts from being seized in court cases or claimed by international creditors. The move signals a major shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela and could reshape the future of global energy investment, legal disputes, and geopolitical influence in the Western Hemisphere.

The order, signed on Friday and released publicly on Saturday, comes just days after U.S. forces conducted a covert operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Together, these actions reflect a more aggressive U.S. strategy to stabilize Venezuela’s economy while asserting control over its most valuable asset: oil.

The executive order formally declares a national emergency to prevent Venezuelan oil revenue stored in U.S. Treasury “Foreign Government Deposit Funds” from being targeted in:

According to the White House, allowing these funds to be frozen or seized would interfere with “critical efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela.”

The administration argues that protecting the oil revenue supports broader U.S. foreign policy goals, including:

The order relies on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the National Emergencies Act, giving the president wide authority to restrict financial transactions involving foreign assets.

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but years of sanctions, corruption, and mismanagement devastated its energy sector. Oil production collapsed, and billions of dollars in foreign investment were lost.

Many multinational oil companies, including Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips, exited Venezuela nearly two decades ago after their assets were nationalized by the government. These companies have since pursued legal claims worth billions of dollars in international courts.

Without Trump’s executive order, Venezuelan oil revenue held in the U.S. could have been seized to pay off those claims.

Instead, the funds are now protected.

The administration says this ensures that Venezuela’s oil income can be used for national reconstruction rather than legal settlements.

The executive order was signed shortly after President Trump hosted a private meeting with about a dozen energy industry executives at the White House. The goal: encourage U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela under a new framework.

Trump told executives that future energy deals would be handled directly with the U.S. government rather than the Venezuelan state.

During the meeting, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance told Trump his company is still owed approximately $12 billion from past expropriations.

Trump reportedly responded that while companies could recover some value, the administration would be “starting with a clean slate.”

“We’re not going to look at what people lost in the past because that was their fault,” Trump said.

The message was clear: future opportunities will matter more than past grievances.

The response from the oil sector has been mixed.

Some companies see the executive order as a potential gateway back into one of the world’s richest oil markets. If Venezuela stabilizes and U.S. companies regain access, the long-term profits could be substantial.

Others remain skeptical.

Executives from major energy firms have warned that Venezuela remains “uninvestable” without serious reforms, citing:

While the executive order protects oil revenue from lawsuits, it does not resolve deeper concerns about governance and transparency.

If Venezuelan oil production is restored and exported under U.S. supervision, it could influence:

With sanctions easing and revenue protected, Venezuela could eventually return millions of barrels per day to the market. That would reduce pressure on global supply chains and strengthen U.S. influence over Western Hemisphere energy flows.

At the same time, the move could trigger diplomatic tensions with countries that see the U.S. action as interference in Venezuelan sovereignty.

Critics argue the executive order sets a troubling precedent by shielding foreign government assets from legitimate legal claims.

Several international arbitration rulings had previously ruled in favor of oil companies seeking compensation for seized assets. Blocking enforcement of those rulings could undermine confidence in global investment protections.

Supporters counter that Venezuela’s reconstruction requires financial stability, not endless litigation.

The administration insists the funds are being preserved for the Venezuelan people, not seized for U.S. profit.

The executive order is likely to face legal challenges in U.S. and international courts. At the same time, the administration is expected to announce:

For investors, policymakers, and energy markets, the situation remains fluid.