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Venezuela's oil industry faces major hurdles under Trump's takeover plan.
Summary
Reports say President Trump has proposed taking control of Venezuela's oil sector and asking U.S. companies to rebuild it; experts and officials say the industry is in disrepair and would take years and large investment to restore.
Content
U.S. reports describe a plan by President Donald Trump to take control of Venezuela's oil industry and invite American companies to help revive production following reported operations aimed at President Nicolás Maduro. Analysts and industry officials say Venezuela's oil infrastructure has suffered years of decline and international sanctions, and that rebuilding will be lengthy and costly. Markets showed little immediate reaction over the weekend, and the political situation in Venezuela was described as uncertain. Several legal and ownership questions have been raised about who would control the country's oil resources.
Key facts:
- Reports indicate the plan involves U.S. control of Venezuelan oil assets and requests for U.S. companies to assist in revitalization.
- Venezuela's current production was reported at about 1.1 million barrels per day after a long decline from past levels.
- Analysts estimate restoring large-scale output could take years and require substantial investment; one estimate cited about a decade and roughly $100 billion to return to roughly four million barrels per day.
- Legal experts noted questions about ownership and international law, and Venezuelan courts and officials were reported to be taking related procedural steps.
Summary:
Short-term effects on global oil prices were reported as limited and a major market shift was not expected immediately. The political and legal picture remains uncertain, with reports of Venezuelan court rulings and competing claims to authority; further developments and formal decisions were undetermined at this time.
Sources
Who controls Venezuela's oil? It's complicated | RCI
Radio Canada1/6/2026, 10:28:56 PMOpen source →
Fears that Canadian oil will be replaced by Venezuelan crude 'deeply overdone'
Financial Post1/6/2026, 9:44:14 PMOpen source →
Financial advisor believes N.L. oil will fare well even with U.S. plans for Venezuela | CBC News
CBC News1/6/2026, 8:40:26 PMOpen source →
Trump wants Venezuela's oil. Here's why that won't be easy | CBC News
CBC News1/5/2026, 1:13:57 AMOpen source →
Trump's plan to seize and revitalize Venezuela's oil industry faces major hurdles
The Star1/4/2026, 7:20:53 PMOpen source →
