### Trump Pushes for $100 Billion Investment in Venezuela's Oil Sector Amid Industry Skepticism In a recent meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump urged major U.S. oil executives to invest $100 billion in Venezuela's oil industry, which he described as a critical opportunity for both the U.S. and the South American nation. However, executives from leading companies like ExxonMobil expressed significant reservations, labeling Venezuela as "uninvestable" due to its unstable political climate and the need for substantial legal reforms. This meeting comes as the U.S. government has intensified its control over oil revenues in Venezuela, further complicating the investment landscape. ### Structure of the Response 1. **Overview of Trump's Proposal** - Trump is advocating for a $100 billion investment in Venezuela's oil sector to revitalize its production capabilities [https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/trump-meets-oil-company-executives-36529031]. - The meeting included executives from major oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, who were presented with the potential benefits of investing in Venezuela's vast oil reserves [https://www.indianexpress.com/article/world/donald-trump-promises-oil-firms-total-safety-in-venezuela-urges-100bn-investment-10465363]. 2. **Industry Response and Concerns** - Executives voiced skepticism, with ExxonMobil's CEO Darren Woods stating that Venezuela is currently "uninvestable" without significant reforms to its legal and commercial frameworks [https://fortune.com/2026/01/09/trump-oil-venezuela-100-billion-exxon-uninvestable]. - Concerns were raised about the political risks, ongoing sanctions, and the history of asset seizures that have plagued foreign investments in Venezuela [https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/venezuela-still-uninvestable-say-us-oil-bosses-despite-trumps-zeal]. 3. **Potential Implications for U.S.-Venezuela Relations** - Trump's push for investment signals a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Venezuela, aiming to rebuild its energy sector while also addressing domestic energy needs [https://www.republicworld.com/business/us-eyes-oil-led-reset-in-venezuela-as-trump-pushes-big-energy-firms]. - The administration's focus on oil could lead to increased tensions with the current Venezuelan government, which has been resistant to U.S. influence [https://www.cityam.com/venezuela-is-uninvestable-as-trump-unnerves-market-analysts]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Investment Proposal**: Trump is seeking a $100 billion investment to revitalize Venezuela's oil production, which has been severely hampered by years of mismanagement and sanctions [https://www.firstpost.com/world/exxon-ceo-calls-venezuela-uninvestable-but-trusts-trump-to-fix-legal-safeties-13967380.html]. - **Industry Skepticism**: Executives from major oil companies have consistently referred to Venezuela as "uninvestable," citing the need for legal and political reforms before any substantial investment can be made [https://www.luxtimes.lu/world/us-oil-majors-wary-of-investing-billions-in-venezuela-despite-trumps-assurances/122825392.html]. - **Political Context**: The U.S. has been tightening its control over Venezuelan oil revenues, which complicates the investment landscape for foreign companies [https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/trump-pressures-big-oil-for-100-billion-venezuela-spend-article-13766345.html]. ### Conclusion and Key Takeaways - **Trump's ambitious proposal for a $100 billion investment in Venezuela's oil sector faces significant hurdles due to industry skepticism and the country's unstable political environment.** 1. **Overview**: Trump is pushing for major investments to revitalize Venezuela's oil production [https://www.express.co.uk/news/us/2155998/trump-meets-oil-executives-venezuela]. 2. **Industry Concerns**: Executives have labeled Venezuela as "uninvestable," citing the need for reforms [https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/01/10/trump-urges-us-oil-firms-to-invest-in-venezuela-but-ceos-warn-country-is-uninvestable/204882]. 3. **Implications**: The proposal could reshape U.S.-Venezuela relations, but significant risks remain [https://www.asiaone.com/world/trump-urges-us-oil-giants-repair-venezuelas-rotting-energy-industry]. In summary, while Trump's call for investment in Venezuela's oil sector presents a potential opportunity, the prevailing skepticism among industry leaders highlights the complexities and risks associated with such a venture.