U.S. Government Takes Majority Stake in Venezuelan Oil Reserves

The Trump administration said on August 28, 2026, that the U.S. government will hold a 55% equity stake in Venezuela's oil reserves, roughly 65 billion barrels. The U.S. will buy its share "at cost" — production cost plus a set margin. It is the first time the U.S. government has taken a direct ownership stake in another nation's petroleum reserves.