U.S. Exerts Pressure on Venezuela as Washington Takes 32% of Oil Revenue

The ongoing occupation of Venezuela by U.S. forces has led to a significant shift in the country’s oil revenue dynamics, with the Trump administration reportedly charging Venezuela $4.7 billion, or 32% of its oil exports this year, to cover the costs of the invasion.

According to economist Francisco Rodríguez of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), this amount represents a substantial burden on Venezuela’s economy, which is already facing significant challenges as it attempts to rebuild following devastating earthquakes. Rodríguez noted that Washington’s actions are comparable to the post-World War I reparations imposed on Germany, with the U.S. taking 32% of Venezuela’s oil-export revenue, compared to Germany’s 13% in the 1920s.

The Venezuelan government has seen a significant portion of its revenue absorbed through various channels, including debt recovery, production and operating costs associated with Chevron, as well as exchange-related deductions under the U.S.-managed oil arrangement. According to Luigi Pisella, a member of Venezuela’s public-assets commission, the country generated roughly $14.7 billion in gross oil revenue during the first half of 2026, but only about $7 billion ultimately reached state coffers.

Pisella also revealed that the Central Bank placed $6.7 billion into the foreign-exchange market during the first half, more than double the $3 billion supplied during all of the previous year. This move helped narrow the exchange-rate gap by increasing the supply of dollars.

Rodríguez emphasized the scale of the U.S. charges, suggesting that they represent an unsustainable burden on Venezuela’s economy. The economist expressed concerns that the ongoing occupation and financial squeeze could exacerbate the country’s humanitarian crisis and undermine efforts to rebuild and recover.

The U.S. decision to charge 32% of Venezuela’s oil revenue is likely to spark controversy and criticism, with many viewing the move as an attempt to strangle the Venezuelan economy and maintain Washington’s grip on the oil-rich nation.