Documents › Executive orders › 14373
Executive Order 14373
Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue for the Good of the American and Venezuelan People
Signed January 9, 2026, printed at 91 FR 2045. 6 sections of substance, 1,452 words.
This order is about Venezuelan oil money. The funds are held by the Treasury. It shields them from court claims.
Sec. 1. Findings
As Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, I find that the threat of attachment or the imposition of other judicial process against the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, as defined in section 2 of this order, will materially harm the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Specifically, the attachment or the imposition of other judicial process against the Foreign Government Deposit Funds will substantially interfere with our critical efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela. The failure of these critical efforts would jeopardize major foreign policy objectives of the United States, including: ending the dangerous influx of illegal immigrants and the flood of illicit narcotics, which has resulted in the death of countless thousands of American citizens; protecting American interests against malign actors such as Iran and Hezbollah; and bringing
As Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, I find that the threat of attachment or the imposition of other judicial process against the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, as defined in section 2 of this order, will materially harm the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Specifically, the attachment or the imposition of other judicial process against the Foreign Government Deposit Funds will substantially interfere with our critical efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela. The failure of these critical efforts would jeopardize major foreign policy objectives of the United States, including: ending the dangerous influx of illegal immigrants and the flood of illicit narcotics, which has resulted in the death of countless thousands of American citizens; protecting American interests against malign actors such as Iran and Hezbollah; and bringing
This states the findings. Certain funds are held here for Venezuela. The President finds that court seizure of them would do harm. Security and foreign policy are named. It says seizure would disrupt work to steady Venezuela. It ties that work to stopping migration. It ties it to stopping drug flows. Iran and Hezbollah are named as threats.
Sec. 2. Definition
For the purposes of this order, ``Foreign Government Deposit Funds'' means funds paid to or held by the United States Government in designated United States Department of the Treasury accounts or funds on behalf of the Government of Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities, including the Central Bank of Venezuela and Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., that are derived from either the sale of natural resources from, or the sale of diluents to, the Government of Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities.
For the purposes of this order, ``Foreign Government Deposit Funds'' means funds paid to or held by the United States Government in designated United States Department of the Treasury accounts or funds on behalf of the Government of Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities, including the Central Bank of Venezuela and Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., that are derived from either the sale of natural resources from, or the sale of diluents to, the Government of Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities.
This defines one term. Foreign government deposit funds means money held here for Venezuela. Treasury accounts hold it. It may be held for the state itself. It may be held for its agencies. Its central bank counts. So does its oil company. The money comes from selling natural resources. Money from selling thinning agents counts too.
Sec. 3. Preservation of Foreign Government Deposit Funds
(a) Unless licensed or otherwise authorized pursuant to this order, any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is prohibited, and shall be deemed null and void, with respect to the Foreign Government Deposit Funds. (b) No Foreign Government Deposit Funds may be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in, except to the extent provided by regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order. [[Page 2046]] (c) This order and actions taken pursuant to this order shall apply notwithstanding any previously issued Executive Order, and any action taken pursuant to such an order, to the extent such order or action blocks, regulates, or otherwise affects the Foreign Government
(a) Unless licensed or otherwise authorized pursuant to this order, any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is prohibited, and shall be deemed null and void, with respect to the Foreign Government Deposit Funds. (b) No Foreign Government Deposit Funds may be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in, except to the extent provided by regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order. [[Page 2046]] (c) This order and actions taken pursuant to this order shall apply notwithstanding any previously issued Executive Order, and any action taken pursuant to such an order, to the extent such order or action blocks, regulates, or otherwise affects the Foreign Government
This shields those funds. No court may seize them. Liens and garnishment are barred. Any such step is void. The funds may not be moved or paid out. They may not be sent abroad or withdrawn. Only rules or licenses under this order allow that. Earlier contracts do not change this. Earlier orders do not either.
Sec. 4. Additional Presidential Findings and Determinations
I hereby determine and find that: (a) Ownership. The Foreign Government Deposit Funds constitute property of the Government of Venezuela and do not constitute the property of any private party, including judgment creditors of Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities, or commercial actors that transacted or are transacting business with Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities. (b) Custodial Nature of United States Possession. The United States Government will hold the Foreign Government Deposit Funds solely in a custodial and governmental capacity, and not as a market participant. (c) Absence of Commercial Use in the United States. The Foreign Government Deposit Funds: (i) have not been, and shall not be, used for any commercial activity in the United States; and (ii) shall be held pending sovereign disposition for public, governmental, or diplomatic purposes determined by
I hereby determine and find that: (a) Ownership. The Foreign Government Deposit Funds constitute property of the Government of Venezuela and do not constitute the property of any private party, including judgment creditors of Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities, or commercial actors that transacted or are transacting business with Venezuela or its agencies or instrumentalities. (b) Custodial Nature of United States Possession. The United States Government will hold the Foreign Government Deposit Funds solely in a custodial and governmental capacity, and not as a market participant. (c) Absence of Commercial Use in the United States. The Foreign Government Deposit Funds: (i) have not been, and shall not be, used for any commercial activity in the United States; and (ii) shall be held pending sovereign disposition for public, governmental, or diplomatic purposes determined by
This adds findings. The funds belong to the Venezuelan state. No private party owns them. That includes people holding judgments against it. It includes firms that traded with it. This country holds the money only as custodian. It is not acting as a market player. The funds have not been used for business here. They await a sovereign decision.
Sec. 5. Treatment of Foreign Government Deposit Funds
(a) In holding the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the Secretary of the Treasury shall: (i) designate such funds in a manner that clearly reflects their status as sovereign property of the Government of Venezuela held in custody by the United States, and not as the property of the United States; (ii) comply with instructions regarding disbursements or transfers of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds as may be determined by the Secretary of State, and not permit such funds to be used for any other purpose; and (iii) consult, as appropriate, with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Energy. (b) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General are authorized and directed to assert, in any judicial or administrative proceeding, the sovereign immunity of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds consistent with this order and applicable law.
(a) In holding the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the Secretary of the Treasury shall: (i) designate such funds in a manner that clearly reflects their status as sovereign property of the Government of Venezuela held in custody by the United States, and not as the property of the United States; (ii) comply with instructions regarding disbursements or transfers of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds as may be determined by the Secretary of State, and not permit such funds to be used for any other purpose; and (iii) consult, as appropriate, with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Energy. (b) The Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General are authorized and directed to assert, in any judicial or administrative proceeding, the sovereign immunity of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds consistent with this order and applicable law.
This says how Treasury holds the money. It must label the funds as Venezuela's own. The label must show they are held in custody. They are not property of this country. Treasury must follow State on any payout. No other use is allowed. It must consult State and Justice. Energy is consulted too. Treasury and Justice must claim immunity in court.
Sec. 6. Administration
(a) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of [[Page 2047]] Energy, is authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of the Treasury. The head of each executive department and agency (agency) of the United States Government shall take all appropriate measures within the agency's authority to implement this order. (b) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with
(a) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of [[Page 2047]] Energy, is authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of the Treasury. The head of each executive department and agency (agency) of the United States Government shall take all appropriate measures within the agency's authority to implement this order. (b) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with
This says who runs the order. Treasury leads. State, Justice and Energy are consulted. Treasury may write rules. It may use the emergency powers law. It may pass the work to its own staff. Every agency must help where it can. Treasury must also report to Congress. Those reports cover the emergency named here.
Sec. 7. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of the Treasury. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 9, 2026. [FR
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of the Treasury. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 9, 2026. [FR
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.