Big Oil Meets Trump as $100 Billion Venezuela Oil Plan Takes Shape
Washington, D.C.: President Donald Trump has launched a fresh push to draw major global oil companies into Venezuela, pitching a massive $100 billion private investment drive and promising “total safety” and government-backed security for firms willing to rebuild the country’s battered energy sector.
Trump hosted top executives from leading U.S. oil majors at the White House, urging them to deploy their own capital — not American taxpayer money — to revive Venezuela’s oil industry, once among the world’s most productive. He made it clear that while federal funding would not be involved, Washington would provide political backing, security assurances and regulatory support.
WOW! President Trump DROPPED the hammer to oil execs:
American giants will be pouring in $100 BILLION (their money, not taxpayers!) to rebuild Venezuela’s oil empire with FULL government security and protection.
Venezuela has greenlit America to refine and sell 50 MILLION… pic.twitter.com/TaRvDRN6Lg
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 9, 2026
“The plan is for our giant oil companies to spend at least $100 billion of their own money,” Trump said, stressing that the role of the U.S. government would be protection, not financing.
The meeting included leaders from Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. Trump argued that the political shift in Venezuela had opened what he described as an unprecedented opportunity for large-scale oil extraction, claiming output levels could reach historic highs and help lower global energy prices.
He also issued a blunt warning to hesitant executives, saying dozens of other companies were ready to step in if current participants were unwilling to commit. While offering “total safety,” Trump noted that many oil firms already operate in some of the world’s most volatile regions, suggesting Venezuela posed comparatively manageable risks.
Industry responses, however, reflected a mix of optimism and caution. Chevron said it remains committed to Venezuela and has the capacity to rapidly increase production from existing joint ventures. ExxonMobil struck a more skeptical tone, with its leadership saying Venezuela remains uninvestable without sweeping legal and commercial reforms, particularly stronger protections for foreign capital. Other companies echoed concerns over long-term stability, contract enforcement and regulatory clarity.
Trump framed the initiative as a strategic win for both countries — reviving Venezuela’s economy while strengthening U.S. energy security and delivering lower fuel costs at home. Despite the bold pitch, no binding investment commitments were announced, leaving the scale and timeline of any future oil rush uncertain.
