Nearly eight months after President Donald Trump pledged that U.S. companies would "rapidly rebuild" Venezuela's oil industry, no new petroleum agreements have been finalized with the U.S., according to a new report. Critics argue that bureaucratic delays have prevented American companies from moving quickly into one of the world's largest untapped oil markets. Trump announced shortly after Maduro's removal from power on Jan. 3 that the United States would oversee which American companies would participate in rebuilding Venezuela's battered petroleum sector. Speaking to oil executives days later, Trump said firms would work directly with Washington rather than negotiating independently with Venezuelan authorities. Department spokesperson Ben Dieterich said officials continue working with both Venezuelan authorities and American companies "of all sizes" to expand investment opportunities while strengthening Venezuela's legal framework for foreign energy companies.