Representatives from major U.S. petroleum companies were scheduled to meet with the Trump administration later in the week, according to CBS News, a BBC partner. Trump's remarks followed his earlier statement that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela after Maduro's ousting, with Maduro then facing criminal charges in the U.S.

Analysts previously told the BBC that restoring Venezuela's former oil output could cost tens of billions of dollars and potentially take a decade. When pressed about the 18-month timeframe, Trump speculated that oil production could ramp up "in less time than that, but it'll be a lot of money." He has expressed clear ambitions for American petroleum companies to increase their operations.

The potential for U.S. oil companies to rapidly revitalize Venezuela's oil industry raises questions about the feasibility and economic implications of such an undertaking. The complexities of rebuilding infrastructure, navigating political instability, and securing investments pose significant challenges.