EFE — The Venezuelan government notified foreign airlines operating in the country that payments for Venezuelan fuel must go directly to accounts linked to the U.S. State Department, according to a document obtained by EFE on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Hydrocarbons sent a letter dated May 28 to at least one Latin American airline and one Spanish airline. The letter, signed by sales manager Yolimar Cedeño, includes banking coordinates for foreign-currency transfers related to fuel purchases, such as JET A1, MGO, and IFO 380.
The document also includes an attachment from the U.S. State Department containing bank details. It states that the U.S. government can receive funds on Venezuela’s behalf through Fedwire, the Federal Reserve’s electronic transfer network.
The text adds that the U.S. Treasury places the funds in a custody account and requires disclosure of the origin of payments.
After the United States detained Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in January, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington would control Venezuelan oil sales “indefinitely.” He also said the government would place proceeds in U.S. accounts for what he described as “the benefit of the Venezuelan people.”
The White House also stated at the time that Venezuelan oil revenues remain sovereign assets held under U.S. custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes and that private claims do not apply to those funds.
