Donald Trump has pledged to exploit Venezuela's vast oil reserves following the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, stating the United States will oversee the nation until a "safe" transition occurs. The former U.S. president aims to have American oil companies invest billions of dollars into Venezuela, which possesses the world's largest crude oil reserves, to develop the largely untapped resource.

Trump asserted that U.S. companies would repair Venezuela's "badly broken" oil infrastructure and "start making money for the country." However, experts caution that Trump's plan faces significant hurdles, estimating that it would require billions of dollars and up to a decade to significantly increase oil production.

Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, making it a globally significant energy resource. However, the country's current oil production is minimal compared to its potential, having declined sharply in recent years.

The decline in Venezuela's oil output is largely attributed to a combination of factors, including economic mismanagement, corruption, and U.S. sanctions imposed in response to the Maduro regime's human rights abuses and undemocratic practices. These sanctions have restricted Venezuela's access to international financial markets and limited its ability to import essential equipment and technology needed for oil production.

The potential for U.S. involvement in Venezuela's oil sector raises complex geopolitical and ethical considerations. Any intervention would need to navigate international law, respect Venezuelan sovereignty, and address concerns about potential exploitation and environmental damage. Furthermore, the involvement of U.S. companies could be viewed as a form of neocolonialism, potentially fueling anti-American sentiment in the region.

The success of Trump's plan hinges on several factors, including the establishment of a stable and legitimate government in Venezuela, the lifting of U.S. sanctions, and the willingness of American oil companies to invest in a country with a history of political instability and economic turmoil. Even under the most optimistic scenarios, it would take considerable time and investment to rehabilitate Venezuela's oil industry and restore it to its former capacity.