Castro, Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats Issue Statement on State Department’s Partial Production of Venezuela Oil Deal Documents

Castro, Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats Issue Statement on State Department's Partial Production of Venezuela Oil Deal Documents

Reps. Joaquin Castro, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Democratic Members of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement after the State Department provided the Committee with one document related to the Trump Administration's deal signed with Alejandro Betancourt to acquire a stake in North American Blue Energy Partners:

"We appreciate that State has provided this document, but a single document falls far short of the records Democrats have requested as we conduct oversight over the Trump administration's Venezuela policy. When Democrats sought to subpoena the documents on September 15, Republicans, led by Chairwoman Maria Elvira Salazar, voted to shield the administration from accountability and protect Alejandro Betancourt and Delcy Rodriguez from scrutiny.

"Democrats will continue to examine the Trump administration's actions with respect to Venezuela, and we call on Secretary Rubio to produce to the Committee all remaining requested documents, including the agreement between Delcy Rodriguez and Betancourt, as well as KPMG's independent audits of the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, the account Trump established after his administration began seizing Venezuelan oil revenues.

"Congress cannot conduct meaningful oversight based on selective disclosures. Providing one document while withholding other central records raises further questions about what the administration is trying to conceal."

Congressman Castro added, "Last month, I motioned to subpoena the Trump Administration for records regarding its deal with Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt for Venezuelan oil. This week, we were able to secure a limited set of documents from the administration regarding this shady deal. It's a start but no where near what the Administration must provide Congress. There's billions of dollars moving hands and next to zero accountability. Americans are sick of corruption, and Venezuelans are too. We will continue these investigations until we have accountability."

Additional background:

On February 13, 2026, HFAC Democrats requested information regarding the Trump administration's decision to route Venezuela oil revenues into an offshore account in Qatar.

On April 17, 2026, Congressional Democrats requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a full audit of this deal. The GAO accepted the request and the audit remains ongoing. Read the full details of the audit and the full letter here.

On September 10, 2026, HFAC Democrats requested KPMG audits of the deal to be transmitted to Congress within 30 days of completion. The members also requested a complete accounting of all disbursements made from the fund since its establishment. The Members request a response by October 8, 2026. Read the full letter here.

On September 21, 2026, Congressman Castro motioned to subpoena the Trump Administration for records regarding its Venezuelan oil deal during a hearing, resulting in the partial release of records.