The former Venezuelan president says he is immune from the federal charges.
Venezuela is believed to hold more than 300 billion barrels of oil, but the country currently produces only a small fraction of its potential.
The Trump administration has told Venezuela's interim president that the regime must meet the White House's demands before being allowed to pump more oil.
Trump said the money would be controlled by him as president but it would be used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to federal charges Monday in Manhattan federal court.
President Trump said that U.S. energy companies are eager to invest in Venezuela, the nation with the largest oil reserves, and U.S. energy stocks rose Monday at the prospect. Still, it's not a simple proposition given the cost and the political uncertainty.
