U.S. President Donald Trump stated that U.S. companies would invest billions in Venezuelan oil production following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro, but industry experts are expressing doubt about the speed and scale of such investments. Trump's assertion comes after Maduro's rendition to the U.S., an action the Trump administration claims was never about a "war on drugs," but rather about securing Venezuelan oil resources.

Analysts suggest that U.S. oil firms are wary of potential risks and are unlikely to invest heavily without guarantees of reimbursement from the U.S. government for rebuilding Venezuela's dilapidated oil infrastructure. The Venezuelan oil industry, once a cornerstone of the nation's economy, has suffered from years of mismanagement, corruption, and underinvestment, leading to a drastic decline in production.

Industry insiders say that U.S. oil firms want to avoid getting "screwed" and will proceed with extreme caution in the region.

Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, a fact that has long attracted international interest and intervention. The country's oil wealth, however, has not translated into widespread prosperity, with many Venezuelans struggling with poverty, hyperinflation, and shortages of basic goods. Maduro's socialist policies and increasingly authoritarian rule led to international condemnation and U.S. sanctions, further crippling the oil sector.

The potential for U.S. investment in Venezuelan oil raises complex geopolitical questions. Countries like Russia and China, which have maintained close ties with the Maduro regime, may view U.S. involvement as an encroachment on their sphere of influence. The future of Venezuela's oil industry will likely depend on the political stability of the country and the willingness of international actors to cooperate in its reconstruction.