Press Release: 1/8/2026
Markey Presses Oil Company CEOs on Collusion with Trump on Venezuela Oil War
Washington (January 6, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee, today wrote to the CEOs of three U.S.-based oil companies—Michael K. Wirth, CEO of Chevron; Darren W. Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil; and Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips—requesting information on the communications that their companies have had with the Trump administration about U.S. military operations in Venezuela, as well as about their intentions for oil production in the country. Senator Markey’s letter comes after President Trump has made repeated claims that he has been in regular touch with oil companies “before and after” the illegal and unconstitutional capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
In the letter to the three oil company CEOs, Senator Markey wrote, “President Trump and his Administration lied about and concealed their plans to attack the territory of, and conduct regime change in, Venezuela, keeping the American public and Members of Congress — who have the sole constitutional power to declare war — in the dark. The only outside entities that appear to have known the truth are oil executives, including one anonymously quoted as saying: ‘In preparation for regime change, there had been engagement’ between the Trump administration and the fossil fuel industry.”
Senator Markey continued, “The American people deserve to know whether and, if so, how [the company] participated in President Trump’s extra-constitutional military operation, and whether [it] is promoting our country’s involvement in regime change and global destabilization for its own financial gain.”
Senator Markey requested answers by January 15, 2026, to questions that include:
- Did you or anyone at [the company] communicate with President Trump or members of his Administration about the U.S. military operations in Venezuela before they occurred?
- Did anyone at [the company] have advance notice of “regime change” operations in Venezuela? If so, who and when?
- What are [the company’s] plans for investing in and producing oil in Venezuela post-Maduro? Have you made any proposals to the Trump administration regarding [the company’s] future investment in Venezuela?
- Do you believe that the United States or any U.S. oil company has any legal claim to Venezuela’s oil, as President Trump has stated?
- Do you believe that the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela over the past month comport with international law and respect Venezuela’s sovereignty?
- How have current military actions affected your operations in Venezuela? How do you anticipate any ongoing hostilities will impact your business?
Senator Markey has been outspoken in his opposition to U.S. military action in Venezuela. On Monday, Senator Markey wrote a letter to President Trump, demanding a cessation of hostilities against Venezuela and answers on the Trump administration’s objectives, legal rationale, and plans for Venezuela’s future. On Saturday, he released a statement and video after the Trump administration launched an illegal strike on Venezuela and captured President Maduro. In November, Senator Markey supported Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-Va.) War Powers Resolution that would have blocked Donald Trump from authorizing military strikes on Venezuela. Republicans voted down the resolution.