The US Is Now the Top Buyer of Venezuela’s Oil
Venezuela · Energy Key Facts Top buyer The U.S. took about 786,000 bpd of Venezuelan crude in July 2026, a seven-year high. Total dip Overall exports slipped to roughly 1.16 million bpd, a second straight monthly decline, from about 1.2 million in June. China collapse Beijing’s share collapsed from once about 70% of exports to […] The post The US Is Now the Top Buyer of Venezuela’s Oil appeared…
Since the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January 2026, Venezuela's oil exports have shifted from China to the United States, marking a significant change in the regional energy landscape. In July 2026, the U.S. became the top purchaser of Venezuela's oil, buying around 786,000 barrels per day (bpd), a substantial increase from China's previous substantial share.
This change in purchasing patterns has major implications for regional pricing, investment risk, and Venezuela's ability to pay foreign creditors. The U.S. controls the proceeds from Venezuela's oil sales, held by the U.S. Treasury, giving Washington direct influence over Venezuela's finances. Chevron, under U.S. Treasury licences, became the main legal channel for U.S. buyers, accounting for about 293,000 bpd of July's output.
This shift in control of oil revenue could affect regional diplomacy, energy pricing, and the stability of Latin American economies that rely on Venezuelan oil.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
