It comes as Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, declaring a national security emergency over the issue. Since the US captured Rodríguez’s predecessor, President Nicolás Maduro, at the beginning of January it has repeatedly made clear it wants American companies to invest in Venezuela’s oil industry. Venezuela has more proven oil reserves than any nation on the planet. Speaking ahead of the “Melania” premiere Thursday night, Trump told reporters he is not trying to choke out Cuba’s economy. Easing restrictionsVenezuela’s new law was approved on the same day that the US Treasury eased some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry.