By Micah Jonah
February 16, 2026
US President, Donald Trump announced plans to visit Venezuela, potentially becoming the first sitting US President to do so since Bill Clinton in 1997.
Trump made the statement while departing for Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he met US soldiers involved in the January 3 operation to abduct Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro. He did not provide a date for the planned visit.
The announcement comes as US eases sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector, allowing major oil companies including Chevron, BP, Shell, and Repsol to expand operations with the state-run PDVSA. Trump aims to attract $100 billion in foreign investment, while the US will control proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales until a “representative government” is established.
Energy Secretary, Chris Wright confirmed that Venezuelan oil sales since Maduro’s capture have already reached $1 billion, expected to grow to $5 billion in coming months.
Trump praised the January 3 operation, calling the US military “the strongest in the world by far,” despite international criticism over violations of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.
