Venezuela: International Law

In the month since the U.S. took custody of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. oil industry has been buzzing with rumors and speculation on what new opportunities may lie just south of the Caribbean.

The removal of Nicolás Maduro is a major enforcement milestone, but it has not resulted in regime change in Venezuela. Instead, power has transferred to figures closely tied to the existing system, and U.S. policy appears focused on controlling economic flows rather than effectuating governance change or normalizing relations.

On January 9, 2026, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order ("Order") declaring a national emergency to protect certain Venezuelan government assets from judicial process.