U.S. Takes Direct Equity Stake in Venezuela's Oil Reserves

The Trump administration announced a joint venture on August 28, 2026, giving the U.S. government a 55% stake in Venezuela's oil reserves — about 65 billion barrels. The U.S. will acquire its share "at cost," production cost plus a set margin, the first time the U.S. government has taken a direct commercial equity stake in a foreign nation's petroleum reserves.