Trump Targets $100 Billion Investment for Venezuelan Oil Revival

Sun Jan 11 2026 01:57:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a move to bolster U.S. energy prices, President Trump reaches out to major oil executives for significant investments in Venezuela's oil sector, amidst ongoing economic instability in the region.

President Donald Trump is set to meet with executives from major oil companies at the White House, aiming to secure a $100 billion investment to revitalize Venezuela’s oil production. This initiative follows Trump's recent military actions in the region and reflects his strategy to manage gasoline prices for American consumers. However, challenges remain in convincing these companies to invest in a politically volatile environment, particularly with Venezuela's oil production levels dwindling.

President Donald Trump is meeting with oil executives at the White House on Friday in hopes of securing $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela’s ability to tap into its vast petroleum reserves — a plan that relies on oil executives' comfort level with making commitments in a region marred by political instability and economic uncertainty.

In the wake of a U.S. military operation targeting former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump has quickly repositioned the action as an opportunity for economic leverage, highlighting the seizure of three tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and asserting that the U.S. would assume control over the sale of previously sanctioned oil resources.

Amid growing concerns about high gas prices domestically, the push to engage Venezuela’s oil sector embodies Trump’s strategy to display his authority as president while aiming for relief at the pump for American consumers.

The meeting, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST, is expected to be closed to the public. Trump proclaimed on social media: 'At least $100 Billion will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House.'

Trump's dialogue with top executives from the leading oil companies aims to finalize commitments. As noted in his earlier discussions with Sean Hannity, companies like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips will be key players in any ventures into Venezuela’s oil industry, which has seen substantial reductions in production due to previous nationalizations and ongoing economic challenges.

While large American oil companies have largely avoided confirming investments in Venezuela, citing the need for secure contracts and guarantees, Trump has indicated that the U.S. would support and secure investments made in that market.

Currently, Venezuela's oil output has dropped below one million barrels per day, and Trump's challenge will be to convince oil executives that his administration can foster a stable relationship with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and ensure protections for companies that might re-enter the Venezuelan oil market.