Latin America After the Fall of Maduro

The House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans held a hearing on April 16, 2026, to examine U.S. foreign policy in Latin America following the fall of Maduro in Venezuela. The discussion focused heavily on the political transitions in Venezuela and Cuba, U.S. sanctions and their easing, and the strategic realignment of Latin American countries away from Chinese and Cuban influence. Key procurement-related topics included the management and oversight of Venezuelan oil revenues held in U.S. Treasury accounts, with $3 billion reported to be under audit by KPMG to ensure funds benefit the Venezuelan people and are not misused. The hearing also addressed U.S. efforts to support economic and security partnerships in the region, including sanctions relief to encourage U.S. investment in Venezuela's oil sector and expanded fuel supply permissions to private businesses in Cuba for humanitarian purposes. Members questioned the administration's negotiation strategies with Cuban officials and the effectiveness of sanctions and aid policies. No specific contract awards or procurement vehicles were discussed, but the oversight of Venezuelan oil revenue spending and the potential for U.S. investment in Latin American energy sectors were prominent themes.