(José Niño, Headline USA) A Reuters investigation has examined whether gasoline trader John Addison’s relationship with Vice President JD Vance helped Vitol secure permission to market Venezuelan crude after January’s American military operation.
A source told Reuters that Addison and Vance discussed potential oil sales during a December 27, 2025 Montana meeting. Flight records placed their aircraft at the same airport, but neither establishes that the meeting occurred. Addison and Vance’s office denied it.
“And anyone who says so is absolutely making it up because I’ve never told a single soul that was the case,” Addison said.
Addison confirmed that Energy Secretary Chris Wright contacted him January 5, 2026 about Vitol handling Venezuelan oil. A U.S. official said Vance had recommended Addison as trustworthy at least a year earlier. The Energy Department denied that Vance and Wright discussed Venezuelan oil sales and attributed Vitol’s selection to its scale.
Vitol and Trafigura subsequently received licenses without competitive bidding. The administration said speed was essential to financing Venezuela’s transition. Both companies denied advance knowledge of the military operation.
Rep. Robert Garcia, who requested records in January, renewed his concerns.
“For months, Oversight Democrats have been demanding answers about the Trump Administration’s massive Venezuelan oil deal and whether oil-company insiders received advance warning of military action against Venezuela,” he said.
“New reporting that JD Vance met with a senior Vitol trader before Maduro’s capture raises even more questions about who knew what and when,” Garcia added.
Federal records show Addison gave $300,000 to a committee supporting Vance in 2022. He and his wife contributed $7 million to political committees in 2024. Those donations do not establish improper influence.
At a January White House meeting, Addison told President Donald Trump, “We’re here to ensure that you are going to be able to move all of this oil all around the world at the best price possible so that the influence that you have over the Venezuelans will ensure that you get what you want.”
Expert estimates suggested substantial trading profits, but Reuters could not independently verify transaction margins or volumes. Addison later retired from Vitol and became chairman of Wright’s energy policy advisory board.
José Niño is the deputy editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/JoseAlNino
