Ranking Member Robert Garcia Demands Answers from Big Oil

… <p><strong>Washington, D.C.</strong> — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, <a href="https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/imo/media/doc/20260129garcialettertovitoltrafigura.pdf">demanded</a> answers from oil trading companies Vitol and Trafigura regarding their role in the Trump Administration’s sale of Venezuelan oil and any agreements made between the companies and the Administration. With the Trump Administration’s initial sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at about $500 million, Vitol and Trafigura stand to make significant profit from the sale of Venezuelan oil. Vitol’s role in this initial sale is particularly concerning, as campaign finance records show that Vitol senior trader John Addison had previously donated $6 million towards President Trump’s campaign. The letter also raised serious concerns whether the companies were given advanced notice of military action against Venezuela.</p> <p>“The Trump Administration’s shady business dealings regarding Venezuelan oil are being brought to light, and Oversight Democrats have a lot of questions. Donald Trump is continuing to use his position as president to enrich himself while he deceives the American people and exploits Venezuela. Oversight Democrats will not stop until we know exactly what companies are profiting from these foreign policy decisions, especially in Venezuela,” <strong>said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.</strong></p> …