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US Releases Frozen Venezuelan Assets for Infrastructure
(MENAFN) Venezuela’s interim leadership has confirmed that the United States has lifted restrictions on a portion of the country’s seized overseas assets, allowing access to funds that had been blocked for years. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez stated that the released money will be directed toward strengthening hospitals and upgrading key energy systems.
Addressing the nation in a televised statement on Tuesday, Rodriguez said she had held discussions with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the exchanges as respectful. She explained that the newly accessible funds would be used to acquire medical equipment from the United States “and other countries,” alongside purchases for critical utilities.
“We are unblocking Venezuelan resources that belong to the Venezuelan people… and this will allow us to invest significant resources in equipment for hospitals,” she said. Rodriguez also noted that the funds would cover “equipment for the electricity sector and equipment for the gas industry,” highlighting plans to reinforce both power generation and fuel supply networks.
No specific figure was given regarding the value of the assets now available. However, President Nicolas Maduro previously estimated that roughly $30 billion in Venezuelan property had been frozen internationally, including oil holdings seized by the United States and approximately $2 billion in gold held in the United Kingdom.
Earlier this month, Maduro was seized by US forces and later faced charges related to narcotics trafficking, firearms violations, and terrorism-linked offenses. While Rodriguez condemned what she described as Maduro’s kidnapping, she has simultaneously sought to ease tensions with Washington, including steps that allow US firms to operate within Venezuela’s oil sector.
Venezuela’s petroleum industry was brought under state control in the mid-1970s, with additional limitations imposed on foreign contractors in 2007 under then-President Hugo Chavez. US officials, including Trump, have repeatedly argued that these policies amounted to Venezuela “stealing” oil facilities originally developed by American companies.
Trump has also issued direct warnings toward Rodriguez, saying that if she “doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” He later confirmed that he spoke with her by phone and revealed intentions to invite her to the White House.
Despite these exchanges, Rodriguez recently signaled resistance to external pressure, stating that she had enough of “Washington's orders,” and emphasizing that Venezuelans would “resolve our differences and our internal conflicts.” When asked about those remarks on Tuesday, Trump dismissed concerns, responding: “I haven't heard that at all. We have a very good relationship.”
Addressing the nation in a televised statement on Tuesday, Rodriguez said she had held discussions with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the exchanges as respectful. She explained that the newly accessible funds would be used to acquire medical equipment from the United States “and other countries,” alongside purchases for critical utilities.
“We are unblocking Venezuelan resources that belong to the Venezuelan people… and this will allow us to invest significant resources in equipment for hospitals,” she said. Rodriguez also noted that the funds would cover “equipment for the electricity sector and equipment for the gas industry,” highlighting plans to reinforce both power generation and fuel supply networks.
No specific figure was given regarding the value of the assets now available. However, President Nicolas Maduro previously estimated that roughly $30 billion in Venezuelan property had been frozen internationally, including oil holdings seized by the United States and approximately $2 billion in gold held in the United Kingdom.
Earlier this month, Maduro was seized by US forces and later faced charges related to narcotics trafficking, firearms violations, and terrorism-linked offenses. While Rodriguez condemned what she described as Maduro’s kidnapping, she has simultaneously sought to ease tensions with Washington, including steps that allow US firms to operate within Venezuela’s oil sector.
Venezuela’s petroleum industry was brought under state control in the mid-1970s, with additional limitations imposed on foreign contractors in 2007 under then-President Hugo Chavez. US officials, including Trump, have repeatedly argued that these policies amounted to Venezuela “stealing” oil facilities originally developed by American companies.
Trump has also issued direct warnings toward Rodriguez, saying that if she “doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” He later confirmed that he spoke with her by phone and revealed intentions to invite her to the White House.
Despite these exchanges, Rodriguez recently signaled resistance to external pressure, stating that she had enough of “Washington's orders,” and emphasizing that Venezuelans would “resolve our differences and our internal conflicts.” When asked about those remarks on Tuesday, Trump dismissed concerns, responding: “I haven't heard that at all. We have a very good relationship.”
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