By SONYA GUGLIARA, US REPORTER

Published: 15:10 GMT, 11 January 2026 | Updated: 15:53 GMT, 11 January 2026

A New Jersey island owned by a branch of Venezuela's national oil company may soon be taken over by a loyal Donald Trump supporter. 

Petty's Island, a 300-acre island in the Delaware River with sweeping views of Philadelphia, has been owned by Citgo Petroleum Corp for decades. 

Citgo is the Houston, Texas-based refining arm of Venezuela's state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). 

But with the Latin American country's president, Nicolas Maduro, being detained by US forces on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges, and following a recent court ruling, the land could fall into the hands of a major donor to Trump's campaign.

In late November of last year, a federal judge in Delaware approved a $5.9 billion bid from Amber Energy to buy PDVSA through a sale of shares to settle billions in debt, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. 

Amber Energy is an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management, which was founded by Paul Singer. 

Singer and his firm have donated tens of millions to conservative political causes, including Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. 

Amber Energy CEO Gregory Goff said after the court ruling: 'We look forward to working with the talented CITGO team to strengthen the business through capital investment and operational excellence.

Petty's Island has been owned by Citgo Petroleum Corp for 110 years

Petty's Island is named after Philadelphia merchant John Petty, who bought the island in the 18th century

Paul Singer is the founder of Elliott Investment Management and has donated tens of billions to conservative political causes

'I am confident that together we will help enhance America's energy leadership position.' 

An Amber Energy spokesperson told the Inquirer that the 'transaction involving Citgo has not yet been completed' and declined to comment further.  

Venezuelan officials have slammed the sale as 'fraudulent' and appealed the court's decision.