(FILES) View of El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo state, Venezuela on January 23, 2026. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) View of a chimney at an oil refining plant of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) in Puerto La Cruz, Anzoategui state, Venezuela on November 4, 2021. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) View of a chimney at an oil refining plant of state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) in Puerto La Cruz, Anzoategui state, Venezuela on November 4, 2021. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) View of the refinery El Palito in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo state, Venezuela on January 22, 2026. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by Ronaldo SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) A refinary is pictured in Maracaibo, Venezuela on December 8, 2002. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by ANDREW ALVAREZ / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) An Oil refinery is pictured in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela on March 19, 2025. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by Pedro MATTEY / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) Oil trucks are pictured stationed in an oil refinery in Maracaibo, Venezuela on December 18, 2002. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by ANDREW ALVAREZ / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) (FILE) An oil tower at the PDVSA oil refinery burns in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela on December 7, 2002. Venezuela's defense minister on September 1, 2026, said the army supported the country's multibillion-dollar oil deal with the US. (Photo by ANDREW ALVAREZ / AFP via Getty Images)