Ex-Trump officials seek jobs in Venezuelan oil sector now under U.S. control

Ex-Trump officials find new jobs in Venezuela’s lucrative oil industry - The Washington Post

Accessibility statement

Democracy Dies in Darkness

SubscribeSign in

Democracy Dies in Darkness

WorldAmericasAfricaAsiaEuropeMiddle East

WorldAmericasAfricaAsiaEuropeMiddle East

Ex-Trump officials find new jobs in Venezuela’s lucrative oil industry

Companies and investors are eager to hire those with recent access to the White House and knowledge of the administration’s Venezuela policy or contacts.

October 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. EDTToday at 5:00 a.m. EDT

12 min

*The El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, in January. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images)*

By Samantha Schmidt

,

Anthony Faiola

and

Karen DeYoung

Three days after Michael Jensen left his job as the top Trump White House official for Latin America policy in late May, he boarded a private jet with an American crypto tycoon scouting oil deals in Venezuela, where a U.S. military raid last January had removed President Nicolás Maduro and installed a compliant government.

---

* Analysis Karen Tumulty Congress is supposed to police its own ethics. Here’s why it falls short. April 23, 2026
* Evan Halper How utility and tech firms ‘educate’ regulators with big donations, secret retreats August 12, 2026
* Patrick Marley Prosecutor says judge knew she would get ‘heat’ for aiding immigrant December 15, 2025
* Column Bethany McLean A reckoning over capitalism December 15, 2025
* Riley Beggin Private equity role in soaring child care prices under investigation March 24, 2026
* Frances Vinall What to know about Palantir, the tech company playing a key role for ICE December 4, 2025

NewsletterAs news breaks

World News Alerts

Breaking news email alerts for major happenings around the world.

Company

* About The Post
* Newsroom Policies & Standards
* WP Creative Group
* Workforce Demographics
* Careers
* Media & Community Relations
* Accessibility Statement

Sections

* Trending
* Politics
* Elections
* Opinions
* U.S. News
* World
* Style
* Sports
* Business
* Climate
* Well+Being
* D.C., Md., & Va.
* Obituaries
* Weather
* Arts & Entertainment
* Recipes

Get The Post

* WP Intelligence
* Enterprise Subscriptions
* Manage Your Subscription
* Become a Subscriber
* Gift Subscriptions
* Mobile & Apps
* Newsletters & Alerts
* Washington Post Live
* Reprints & Permissions
* Post Store
* Books & E-Books
* Print Archives (Subscribers Only)
* Today’s Paper
* Public Notices
* Crosswords & Games
* Download on iOS
* Download on Android

Contact Us

* Contact the Newsroom
* Contact Customer Care
* Contact the Opinions Team
* Advertise
* Licensing & Syndication
* Request a Correction
* Send a News Tip
* Report a Vulnerability

Terms of Use

* Digital Products Terms of Sale
* Print Products Terms of Sale
* Terms of Service
* Privacy Policy
* Cookie Settings
* Submissions & Discussion Policy
* RSS Terms of Service
* Sitemap
* Ad Choices
* Your Privacy Choices

washingtonpost.com © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

* WP Intelligence
* Ask The Post AI
* WP Creative Group
* Workforce Demographics
* Careers
* Media & Community Relations
* Accessibility Statement

* Trending
* Politics
* Elections
* Opinions
* U.S. News
* World
* Style
* Sports
* Business
* Climate
* Well+Being
* D.C., Md., & Va.
* Obituaries
* Weather
* Arts & Entertainment
* Recipes

* WP Intelligence
* Enterprise Subscriptions
* Manage Your Subscription
* Become a Subscriber
* Gift Subscriptions
* Mobile & Apps
* Newsletters & Alerts
* Washington Post Live
* Reprints & Permissions
* Post Store
* Books & E-Books
* Print Archives (Subscribers Only)
* Today’s Paper
* Public Notices
* Crosswords & Games
* Download on iOS
* Download on Android

* Contact the Newsroom
* Contact Customer Care
* Contact the Opinions Team
* Advertise
* Licensing & Syndication
* Request a Correction
* Send a News Tip
* Report a Vulnerability
* Download the Washington Post App

* About The Post
* Policies & Standards
* Digital Products Terms of Sale
* Print Products Terms of Sale
* Terms of Service
* Privacy Policy
* Cookie Settings
* Submissions & Discussion Policy
* RSS Terms of Service
* Sitemap
* Ad Choices
* Your Privacy Choices

* washingtonpost.com
* © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

5.64.3

!pixel