Trump promises oil executives ‘total safety’ if they invest in Venezuela

In January 2026, US President Donald Trump met with oil executives at the White House to encourage them to invest in Venezuela's oil sector. Trump promised "total safety" for their investments, assuring them they would deal directly with the US government, not Venezuela. He stated that the US is seeking $100 billion in investments from major oil companies to revive Venezuela's oil production capabilities. The meeting followed the US seizure of multiple tankers linked to Venezuelan oil, signaling the US government's intent to control the country's oil sector. Seventeen companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, were invited to the meeting.

According to reports, Donald Trump plans to leverage Venezuela's vast oil reserves to control oil production in the Western Hemisphere, aiming to lower US oil prices to around $50 a barrel. The strategy involves increasing Venezuela's oil output and restricting access for Russia and China. The US has already laid claim to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude and seized a Russian oil tanker linked to Venezuela. Trump stated that Venezuela would use oil sale profits exclusively to purchase American-made goods. Experts question the feasibility of revitalizing Venezuela's oil industry to achieve the desired production increase.

President Trump claimed Venezuela would send 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, with profits controlled by the U.S. "to benefit" both countries. The claim follows the capture of President Maduro and amid threats of a naval blockade. It's unclear what Venezuela would receive in return for the oil, valued at $1.8 to $3 billion, or the legal basis for the U.S. to claim it without Caracas's agreement. The timeline and source of the oil are also unspecified. The announcement comes as Venezuelan officials intensify crackdowns on citizens. U.S. officials plan to meet with Western oil companies to discuss next steps in Venezuela, with Energy Secretary Wright meeting executives Wednesday and Trump potentially meeting with major oil companies Friday.

Nicolás Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan leader, appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Monday, January 5, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to federal charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. Maduro, who was captured in Caracas on Saturday by Army Delta Force commandos and transported to the U.S., claimed he was "kidnapped" and declared himself a "prisoner of war." Despite his protests, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein only confirmed his identity. Maduro's lawyer indicated they may challenge the legality of the arrest and the U.S. government's refusal to recognize him as Venezuela's legitimate president. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted, leaving Venezuela's future uncertain. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Maduro was a fugitive from American justice.

A video circulating in news feeds purportedly shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in US custody on January 4, 2026. The video allegedly depicts Maduro arriving at a Drug Enforcement Agency detention center in New York. According to the news feed, US forces seized Maduro and his wife in a raid on Caracas. The stated reason for the seizure is to bring Maduro to the US to face drug-trafficking charges. The authenticity of the video and the details surrounding the alleged arrest remain unconfirmed.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to drug and weapon charges in a New York City courtroom on Monday. Maduro, who claims he was kidnapped from his home in Caracas on January 3rd, declared himself a "prisoner of war" during the arraignment. The couple was arrested by US forces in Venezuela on Saturday in a surprise operation involving strikes on military bases. Dressed in jail attire, Maduro and Flores listened to the proceedings through Spanish translation headphones. The 40-minute hearing was held in the same courtroom where Sean "Diddy" Combs was previously tried.

Following the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump urged oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil to invest $100 billion in Venezuela's oil infrastructure. At a White House roundtable, Trump promised "total safety" and security for these investments, emphasizing the opportunity for American oil companies to extract resources. He stated that the investment would come from the oil companies themselves, not the US government, and that the US would benefit from lower energy prices. While some oil executives expressed support and willingness to rebuild Venezuela's oil infrastructure, analysts remain skeptical about the speed of investment. Trump also warned that other companies were ready to take their place if they were not interested in the rebuilding efforts.

In January 2026, President Trump stated his intention to exploit Venezuela's vast oil reserves following the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Trump indicated that the aggressive U.S. actions were necessary to curb drugs and migration from that country. He claimed American companies would benefit, with profits also reimbursing the U.S. for damages caused by Venezuela. Trump suggested the country's oil wealth was a key factor in his decision to attack, and pledged that the United States would "run" Venezuela for the foreseeable future. While Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves, analysts caution that significantly increasing production could be a lengthy and expensive process.

Following the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, uncertainty surrounds Venezuela's economic future. The U.S. announced it will control Venezuelan oil sales "indefinitely," raising concerns about revenue for Caracas. The U.S. plans to market sanctioned oil, holding proceeds in U.S. Treasury accounts to be shared between the two countries. A deal was also struck for Venezuela to export up to $2 billion worth of crude oil to the U.S. In the long term, the U.S. may ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil imports and equipment. The impact on Venezuela's economy hinges on sanctions relief, relations with the U.S., and control of oil revenues, especially considering that nearly 80% of Venezuela's budget was allocated to social spending.

President Trump announced the U.S. will govern Venezuela until a transition can occur. On January 3rd, the U.S. launched strikes in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump stated the couple was apprehended at a fortified residence and will be transported to New York, with only minor U.S. injuries reported. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Maduro's indictment in New York on drug and weapons charges, stating he will be prosecuted in American courts. In response, Venezuela declared a national emergency, condemning what it described as "extremely serious military aggression" by the U.S.

Explosions were reported in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with the cause of the blasts currently unknown. The incident follows months of increasing pressure from the United States on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. government accuses of leading a "narco-terrorist" state and controlling drug trafficking groups. The U.S. military has increased its presence in the Caribbean since late August, engaging in operations against vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling. These actions have resulted in numerous deaths and have been criticized as potential extrajudicial killings. The situation is ongoing, and further updates are expected.

On January 3, 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government declared a national emergency following a series of attacks across the country. Venezuela accused the United States of military aggression, alleging attacks on civilian and military installations in multiple states. In response, then US President Donald Trump claimed the United States had "captured" Maduro and his wife and removed them from Venezuela. The alleged capture followed what Trump described as "large-scale" strikes. The events took place amidst rising tensions between the two nations.

In a phone interview with The New York Times on January 3, 2026, President Trump confirmed and celebrated the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump described the operation as "brilliant," citing "good planning" and "great troops." The interview occurred shortly after Trump announced the capture on social media. When asked if he had consulted Congress before the military action, Trump stated that they would discuss it later at a planned news conference. He declined to elaborate on the future of Venezuela or the justification for the mission, promising further details at the 11 a.m. press conference at Mar-a-Lago. The brief phone call lasted less than a minute.

A video shows the aftermath of explosions that occurred across Venezuela early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026. The video was filmed in the port city of La Guaira. Venezuelan President Maduro has declared a state of emergency in response to the explosions. Maduro is accusing the United States of orchestrating the strikes. The extent of the damage and the specific targets of the explosions are not detailed in the report.

On January 3, 2026, low-flying aircraft were observed over Caracas, Venezuela, while multiple explosions occurred throughout the city. The Venezuelan government has accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in several Venezuelan states. The specific targets of the alleged attacks and the extent of the damage remain unclear. The motive behind the purported attacks, according to the Venezuelan government, is to destabilize the country. Further details are awaited as the situation develops.

On January 3, 2026, explosions and smoke were reported in Caracas, Venezuela. The events occurred amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States. Power outages were also reported near a key military base in the capital city. There were also reports of low-flying aircraft over Caracas. Al Jazeera reported on the situation, with Lucia Newman providing details as they became available. The cause of the explosions and the extent of the damage remain unclear.