U.S. President Donald Trump has announced sweeping American involvement in Venezuela's oil sector, declaring that Washington will control which U.S. companies operate in the country and positioning the United States as a major beneficiary of Venezuela's crude output expansion.

Major Oil Deal Already Underway

Speaking during a meeting with U.S. oil executives, Trump revealed significant financial details of the emerging energy partnership:

Trump emphasized that Venezuela was "going to be very successful" and that Americans would benefit substantially from increased oil extraction in the country.

Strategic Control and Geopolitical Positioning

"We will make the decision on which companies will go into Venezuela," Trump stated, framing the initiative as preventing Chinese or Russian dominance over Venezuela's energy resources. The president indicated that without U.S. intervention, these rival powers would have stepped in to control the country's oil sector.

Trump also mentioned that a previously seized oil tanker is now returning to Venezuela, suggesting a complex arrangement involving both seized assets and new commercial agreements.

Diplomatic Engagement with Venezuelan Leadership

The president indicated Washington's readiness to work with Venezuelan officials on security guarantees and announced plans to meet various Venezuelan representatives soon. Referring to Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez, Trump described her as someone who "seems to be an ally right now."

Venezuela's Dual-Track Response

Rodríguez has adopted a complex diplomatic approach, combining public criticism with private engagement efforts. According to reports, Venezuela's government has accused Washington of orchestrating "illegitimate and illegal criminal aggression" in the seizure of former president Nicolás Maduro, claiming the operation resulted in more than 100 civilian and military deaths.

Despite these accusations, Rodríguez is pursuing exploratory diplomatic processes with the U.S., balancing public defiance with conciliatory gestures. The government has released some local and foreign prisoners as a goodwill measure, with Venezuela's oil industry emerging as the central pillar of the evolving Trump-Rodríguez engagement.

Broader Regional Implications

The announcement represents a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with energy cooperation becoming the primary vehicle for renewed engagement between the two countries. The substantial financial scale of the initial agreements, combined with Trump's assertion of American control over company selection, indicates a comprehensive approach to reshaping Venezuela's oil sector partnerships.

US oil executives are preparing for a crucial White House meeting on Friday to discuss potential investments in Venezuela, balancing the Trump administration's enthusiasm with investor caution about the country's political and economic risks.

White House Summit Details

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright recently reiterated President Trump's claim that US oil firms are prepared to spend billions of dollars rebuilding Venezuela's oil economy following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. The Friday meeting will bring together senior administration officials and representatives from 17 major companies to discuss investment opportunities.

Investor Skepticism and Corporate Caution

Despite the administration's optimistic projections, major oil companies and their investors are expressing significant reservations. Multiple attendees of private meetings held by Chevron and ConocoPhillips at a recent Goldman Sachs energy conference in Miami reported that executives offered few insights into Venezuela but made clear they would not make rash decisions.

David Byrns, portfolio manager at American Century Investments and major shareholder in Chevron and Exxon Mobil, emphasized investor concerns: "Investors will want to see long-lasting stability and good fiscal terms to protect against the risk of asset nationalization, which we've seen from Venezuela in the past."

Historical Context and Outstanding Claims

The investment landscape is complicated by historical grievances. While Chevron currently operates in Venezuela, both Exxon and ConocoPhillips departed nearly 20 years ago after asset nationalization and are still owed billions of dollars in compensation.

Infrastructure and Investment Concerns

Matthew Sallee, head of investments at Tortoise Capital, which owns Chevron shares, expressed conditional support but warned of limits: "If Chevron says we're going to dedicate multi-billion dollars a year to Venezuela, we would probably sell." His concerns center on the country's severely deteriorated infrastructure.

Service companies are also proceeding cautiously. Helmerich & Payne President Trey Adams noted his company has facilities in neighboring Colombia but emphasized the need for proper timing and customer relationships before entering Venezuela.

Three-Phase Recovery Plan

Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the US approach to Venezuela's recovery, describing a structured three-phase process:

• Phase 1: Stabilization of the country
• Phase 2: Recovery phase ensuring US oil company access
• Phase 3: Political transition period

Political Uncertainty Remains

Despite the removal of Maduro, questions about Venezuela's political future continue to influence investment decisions. Ali Moshiri, former Chevron president for Africa and Latin America and current CEO of Amos Global Energy, stated that while his firm plans to enter Venezuela, any investment remains "contingent on the US determining who will manage the transition period."

Foreign embassies in Venezuela are beginning to arrange visits for next week that will include representatives from American and European oil companies, indicating growing international interest despite the cautious approach from major firms.