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Question over Trump's seized Venezuela oil money

The gist

Treasury Secretary Bessent refused to confirm where billions in seized Venezuelan oil money went.
Congress is pressing for transparency on more than $13 billion in oil revenue.

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 29, 2026Venezuelans protest in Caracas against President Donald Trump's deal giving the United States a stake in Venezuela's oil reserves.
  2. Sep 15, 2026Rep. Joaquin Castro says Trump invaded Venezuela and took over its oil fields nine months ago, and that billions of dollars have changed hands since with no knowledge of who is benefiting.
  3. Sep 16, 2026Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, questioned by Congress about billions of dollars generated from seized Venezuelan oil, refused to confirm where the money is. In an exchange with Rep. Sean Casten, Bessent called the seized oil and oil money "one of the largest assets to ever go on the U.S. balance sheet" and answered "Uh, no" when asked whether he could testify the funds are flowing to U.S. persons.

Sources

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