Investigation

The deal is built to prevent future presidents and Venezuelan leaders from changing or dismantling the enterprise

Published October 23, 2026 6:00AM (EDT)

Donald Trump takes questions from members of the media during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House on January 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

This article originally appeared on ProPublica .

In late August, President Donald Trump announced what he called the “biggest oil deal in world history.” Since then, the full text of the accord — which grants the U.S. sweeping access to Venezuela’s oil reserves — has been one of the most sought-after secrets in Washington, D.C.

ProPublica has reviewed a copy of the 18-page strategic partnership agreement signed for the United States by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The document reveals carefully constructed terms that favor U.S.…