Ge Long Hui·2026-01-22 07:26Core Viewpoint - Following the recent capture of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, U.S. energy companies are purchasing Venezuelan oil, indicating a shift in trade dynamics between the U.S. and Venezuela [1] Group 1: Company Activities - Valero Energy (VLO.US) has purchased a shipment of Venezuelan crude oil [1] - Phillips 66 (PSX.US) has also acquired a shipment of Venezuelan crude oil [1] - Both companies sourced their oil through the trader Vitol, which is among the first to receive U.S. government approval for Venezuelan oil trade [1] Group 2: Trade Agreements - The U.S. has reached an agreement with Venezuela for the country to export up to 50 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S. [1] - The purchase price for the oil is reported to be at a discount of $8.5 to $9.5 per barrel compared to Brent futures prices [1] Group 3: Market Implications - The involvement of traders like Vitol and Trafigura highlights the emerging opportunities in Venezuelan oil trade following U.S. policy changes [1]