After the arrest of Maduro, the U.S. entrusted oil sales revenue of more than 12.2 billion U.S. dollars, 99% of which has been repatriated to Venezuela

The U.S. government said on the 12th that it has returned to Venezuela more than $12 billion in oil, gold and other sales revenue since the overthrow of Venezuela’s then President Nicolás Maduro in January this year, accounting for approximately 99% of related revenue.

The Associated Press reported on the 12th that the U.S. State Department released a report from the accounting firm KPMG, stating that Venezuela’s sales revenue from crude oil and a small amount of gold, minerals and fertilizers totaled US$12.26 billion (approximately NT$402.925 billion). Almost all of this revenue has been returned to Venezuela in accordance with the extensive energy agreement reached between the United States and the Venezuelan interim authorities.

The report pointed out that as of the end of the 2026 U.S. fiscal year on September 30, $168.6 million was still deposited in escrow accounts managed by the U.S. Treasury Department.

According to the aforementioned interim government energy agreement between the United States and Venezuela, proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil on the open market are deposited into accounts managed by the United States, and Venezuelan officials then apply for approval to withdraw the funds for infrastructure and humanitarian needs.

The report also gave the outside world a glimpse into the financial situation of the Venezuelan government and the flow of revenue from oil sales after the United States arrested Maduro. The report pointed out that as of the end of September, most of the sales revenue obtained by the United States was allocated to local individuals and companies through foreign exchange transactions by Venezuelan commercial banks; another approximately US$133 million was used directly to pay for services or supplies needed by the Venezuelan government.

The disbursements approved by the United States include US$5 million to the Miami-based law firm Greenberg Traurig, nearly US$24 million for kidney dialysis and coal mining equipment, and US$8.7 million to pay off Venezuela’s arrears for vaccine purchases from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The report did not disclose the names of the 20 companies that purchased Venezuelan crude oil or gold in the first nine months of this year. However, these companies are subject to U.S. government review for compliance with sanctions and money laundering prevention regulations. The Associated Press pointed out that this is obviously different from the past when the Venezuelan government's management of oil revenue was rarely scrutinized.