The US paid Venezuela $12.26 billion after taking control of the country’s natural resources

The United States paid Venezuela more than $12.26 billion after taking control of the country’s natural resources, according to a report by the US State Department in Washington, cited by AFP on Thursday. The money has been transferred, starting January 3, into an account designated for Venezuelan export revenues.

The report says the funds came from entities that were vetted and authorized to conduct activities related to Venezuela’s natural resources. The Venezuela Custody account was initially opened in Qatar and is administered by the US Treasury.

The information about the amount paid had previously been mentioned in a report by consulting firm KPMG, cited by The New York Times. Venezuela’s main source of revenue is oil; the country also exports gold, other minerals and fertilizers.

A US official said, on condition of anonymity, that American lawmakers were informed about the payments at the beginning of November. However, the State Department report is dated October 29.

The payments come after Washington and Caracas announced in August that the United States was taking control of Venezuelan oil fields, estimated to contain 65 billion barrels. Nicolas Maduro and his wife are being detained in New York, where they are due to stand trial on several charges, including drug trafficking. Delcy Rodriguez is serving as interim head of state.