double-skinned crabsexellent crabgood crab

Trump Mulls Blocking ExxonMobil From Venezuela After CEO Calls Country ‘Uninvestable’

Associated Press
January 12, 2026 | 9:03 pm
SHARE
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Aboard Air Force One. President Donald Trump said Sunday he is “inclined” to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after the company’s top executive voiced skepticism about investing in the country following the toppling of former President Nicolás Maduro.

“I didn’t like Exxon’s response,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida. “They’re playing too cute.”

During a meeting on Friday with oil executives, Trump sought to ease industry concerns, telling companies they would deal directly with the US government rather than Venezuelan authorities.

Some executives, however, remained unconvinced.

ADVERTISEMENT

“If we look at the commercial constructs and frameworks in place in Venezuela today, it’s uninvestable,” said Darren Woods, chief executive of ExxonMobil, the largest U.S. oil company.

An ExxonMobil spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.

Also on Friday, Trump signed an executive order aimed at protecting Venezuelan oil revenue from being seized in judicial proceedings. The order, made public Saturday, warns that such seizures could “undermine critical US efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela.”

Venezuela has a long history of state asset seizures, US sanctions, and political instability.

Securing US oil investment to help rebuild Venezuela’s infrastructure has become a top priority for the Trump administration following Maduro’s capture.

The White House has framed its approach to Venezuela largely in economic terms. Trump has seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, said the US is taking over sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned crude, and indicated plans to control those sales globally for the foreseeable future.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News 5 hours ago

Iran Reopens Hormuz, Trump Keeps Blockade in Place

Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, but the US keeps its blockade on Iranian shipping, maintaining pressure as nuclear talks stall.
Business Apr 14, 2026 | 9:23 am

JCI Pops 1.5% as Markets Shake Off War Fears and $100 Oil

JCI rose 1.52% as global equities rallied despite oil briefly topping $100, with investors betting geopolitical risks remain contained.
News Apr 13, 2026 | 10:51 pm

US Moves to Blockade Iranian Ports as Tehran Threatens Regional Retaliation

US plans Iran port blockade as Tehran threatens Gulf retaliation, raising risks to global oil flows and fragile ceasefire talks.
News Apr 13, 2026 | 2:39 pm

Trump Lashes Out at Pope Leo Over Iran War Remarks

Trump reacts to Pope Leo’s Iran war comments, following calls for peace and ongoing US response.
Business Apr 13, 2026 | 9:07 am

Trump’s Hormuz Move Drags JCI Down 0.64%

Jakarta stocks weaken as Trump’s stance escalates US–Iran tensions.
Business Apr 9, 2026 | 9:05 am

JCI Retreats as Iran Disputes Ceasefire Terms

JCI fell 0.56% as early gains faded, with investors turning cautious amid doubts over a fragile US-Iran ceasefire.
Opinion Apr 8, 2026 | 11:32 am

When War Becomes Negotiation

Repeating and escalating threats reveal how war is increasingly used as an instrument of diplomacy.
Business Apr 8, 2026 | 10:23 am

Ceasefire Boost Sends Gold Higher, Antam Gold Reaches Rp 2.9M

Antam gold jumps to Rp 2.9M as global prices break $4,800 on Middle East ceasefire hopes, with further upside toward $5,000 in sight.
Business Apr 8, 2026 | 9:16 am

Indonesian Stocks Jump Over 2% at Open as Bargain Hunting Meets Easing War Fears

Indonesian stocks jumped over 2% at open as dip buying kicked in, but rupiah weakness and FTSE review kept investors cautious.
News Apr 8, 2026 | 8:52 am

Iran Accepts Two-Week Ceasefire But Israel Continues Attacking

“Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force,” it said.

The Latest


Lifestyle 4 hours ago

Ronaldo 'Fenomeno', Del Piero Land in Jakarta for Clash of Legends

Ronaldo and Del Piero arrive in Jakarta, drawing crowds ahead of the Clash of Legends exhibition at Gelora Bung Karno.
Business 4 hours ago

Oil Drops 10%, US Stocks Rally on Hormuz Reopening

Oil prices plunge over 10% and US stocks rally after Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of global supply disruptions.
News 5 hours ago

Iran Reopens Hormuz, Trump Keeps Blockade in Place

Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, but the US keeps its blockade on Iranian shipping, maintaining pressure as nuclear talks stall.
News 5 hours ago

Jakarta Begins Mass Removal of Invasive ‘Janitor Fish'

Jakarta launches a citywide operation to remove invasive “janitor fish,” aiming to restore river ecosystems and protect infrastructure.
Business 5 hours ago

Indonesia Mulls Fertilizer Exports While Keeping Local Supply

Indonesia weighs fertilizer exports amid surplus, but keeps domestic supply priority as global demand rises and prices strengthen.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED