Trump Urges Oil Companies to Invest Billions in Venezuela, Promises 'Total Safety'
Washington D.C. - U.S. President Donald Trump urged oil company executives to invest billions in Venezuela, promising them "total safety" and "total security" following the anticipated removal of Nicolás Maduro from power by U.S. forces. The appeal was made during a roundtable meeting at the White House on Friday, January 9, 2026, with more than a dozen oil executives present, according to The Guardian.
Trump sought to assure the executives that they should not be skeptical about investing, or in some cases, returning to the South American country, despite its history of state asset seizures and ongoing U.S. sanctions, Al Jazeera reported. The White House is looking to quickly secure $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela's ability to fully tap into its expansive reserves of petroleum.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump opened the meeting by assuring the oil executives that they would have "total safety" if they proceeded with investments in Venezuela. He emphasized the potential for significant returns once U.S. forces toppled Maduro, promising "total security" for their investments, The Guardian noted.
The president acknowledged that Venezuela is currently "uninvestable," but signaled that with U.S. support, the CEOs would be ready to spend, The Guardian reported. The meeting took place amidst ongoing U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and a history of state asset seizures, making the president's assurances a key focus of the discussion.
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