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In a move straight out of a geopolitical thriller, the Trump administration and the amazing US military pulled off a dramatic and highly coordinated operation that global markets are cheering. Oil prices took a wild ride—tanking at first, only to roar back as Wall Street cheered a stronger dollar, a rising stock market, and booming demand projections. Forget those gloomy tales of de-dollarization; nobody’s letters and death spots put on notice—the potential of rebuilding Venezuela, as well as the rest of the hemisphere, has the market extremely optimistic. Codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve—a chapter in the wider campaign against alleged drug trafficking—the U.S. military unleashed a wave of airstrikes over Venezuela, neutralized their air defenses, and sent in elite special forces. The result? Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were swiftly captured in Caracas and whisked away, first to the USS Iwo Jima, then on to New York to face U.S. narcoterrorism charges. 

President Trump didn’t hold back, touting the mission as a tactical tour de force with zero American casualties, calling it one of the most sophisticated military raids in history. Officially, the White House pitched the mission as a crackdown on drug trafficking. With Maduro now in U.S. custody, Trump declared that America would temporarily “run” Venezuela during a transition, while Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was reportedly installed as interim leader under Washington’s watchful eye.

Forget those gloomy tales of de-dollarization; the world’s money men were quick to drop the risk premium after witnessing yet another masterclass in U.S. military muscle. The message? Don’t mess with Uncle Sam, whether you’re a drug lord, a dictator, or one of the BRICS power brokers.The markets couldn’t contain their excitement after the stunning capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro—a man who wore two hats: despotic ruler and alleged kingpin of the drug trade. Suddenly, optimism was everywhere, with hopes that American know-how could jumpstart Venezuela’s battered economy and unleash its industrial might. The Trump administration wasted no time, promising to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure and inviting U.S. companies to take the reins.If history is any guide, American oil giants are ready and able. Remember Chevron’s short-lived return? The company ramped up output by 300,000 barrels a day, pushing Venezuela’s production back over the million-barrel mark almost overnight. Now, with all the big names at the table and plenty of incentives to go around, this could be the start of an oil renaissance—provided, of course, that political winds stay calm enough for the gushers to flow. 

Skeptics, however, point out that Venezuela’s recovery is fraught with challenges. Experts like Rice University’s Monaldi estimate it could take at least a decade and over $100 billion to restore oil production to 4 million barrels per day, while PDVSA believes $58 billion is needed just to update pipelines that have not been improved in half a century. The current leadership remains hostile toward the US, and without a stable, pro-Western government, foreign investment is unlikely to materialize. This political uncertainty casts doubt on the feasibility of a quick recovery.Yet I argue that while there are challenges, do not underestimate the US Energy Industry to blow away those expectations, especially with the backing and security of the US and the Trump Administration that values the resources and we will control one third of global oil supply.Trump wants to reinvigorate their mining sector and the oil sector, where of course they hold the largest supply of proven oil reserves on the planet.Meanwhile, Canadian infrastructure offers a stark contrast—pipelines from Alberta are already well-integrated with US refineries, optimized over years for heavy crude. Even if Venezuela boosts production in the next decade, it will compete with similar heavy crude from Canada, reinforcing the value of existing North American refining infrastructure.Nonetheless, Venezuela’s vast reserves extend beyond oil to gold, iron ore, and diamonds, presenting significant profit potential if political and economic conditions improve. In the short term, oil stocks and mining shares are rallying on market optimism, despite lingering uncertainties. 

The US administration has made its intentions clear, with President Trump expressing enthusiasm for further actions and asserting American control over Venezuela until a stable transition can occur. As Venezuela’s former leader Maduro awaits trial in New York on drug trafficking charges, the US is preparing to direct the nation’s resources toward benefiting both Venezuelans and international investors, with a focus on rebuilding energy infrastructure and unlocking the country’s considerable mineral wealth. Chevron and others in the U.S. oil-and-gas industry didn’t receive advance notice of the U.S. incursion or the Trump administration’s broader Venezuela strategy, according to people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department and federal law enforcement agencies defended their role in the seizure of Maduro, saying in a joint statement that the U.S. had “pursued every lawful opportunity to resolve this matter peacefully.” The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday morning, saying they were “deeply alarmed” by the U.S. incursion.News of President Maduro’s capture by the U.S. sent shockwaves of excitement through global markets, sparking a massive rally in major oil and energy stocks. Industry giants saw remarkable gains: Chevron soared 11%, Valero leaped 11%, while ConocoPhillips and Marathon each jumped 10%. Exxon Mobil surged 7%, Phillips 66 climbed 6%, and both Occidental Petroleum and EOG Resources added 4%. Devon Energy and Kinder Morgan also joined the party with impressive 4% and 3% increases, respectively. On January 5, 2026, companies specializing in oilfield services and mining also enjoyed substantial upticks. Schlumberger, renowned for infrastructure expertise, surged nearly 8%, setting itself up as a frontrunner for Venezuela’s reconstruction contracts. Halliburton, with its strong track record in drilling and decades of Venezuelan experience, saw its stock rise 7%.Oil firms with Venezuelan connections are poised for a windfall, benefiting from higher production, debt repayment opportunities, and access to prized heavy crude for U.S. refineries.

Chevron, the leading U.S. producer still active in Venezuela, rocketed over 6% on the news. Exxon Mobil, which holds a $2.6 billion arbitration claim for expropriated assets, gained 3%, while ConocoPhillips—with an $8.7 billion award and promising prospects for asset recovery and new ventures—rose approximately 7%. PBF Energy, a refiner tailored for Venezuelan crude, advanced 5.2%, and both Phillips 66 and Valero Energy celebrated gains thanks to increased imports and streamlined supply chains.The Energy Report Saturday, January 3, 2026 On Saturday, the world wakes up to a headline that should reshape global oil markets, maybe forever, in true game-change fashion. In a stunning turn of events, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”This was a hugely successful operation for the Trump administration and it’s raising hope that the duly elected president of Venezuela, María Corina Machado, will be put in place. According to Fox News, she emerges as top potential successor after Maduro’s fall. Fox News says that Venezuela expert says opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González have support of 70% of country.The U.S. military didn’t stop there; recent strikes targeted drug-laden vessels linked to the Venezuelan regime across the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. The CIA also executed a targeted operation inside Venezuela, hitting dock areas notorious for drug trafficking. With a $50 million bounty offered for Maduro’s arrest, this high-stakes mission marks a pivotal moment.

Venezuela’s vice president, in disbelief, has even demanded proof of life after the early-morning operation.Today marks not just political change but a new era for the global energy sector. The U.S.-backed removal of Maduro will rip through global oil markets, signaling hope after years of sanctions and missed opportunities.Venezuela, home to the massive Orinoco Belt and the world’s largest proven oil reserves, is on the brink of transformation. The outlook? Brighter American energy independence, potentially lower fuel prices, and a seismic shift away from Russian oil dominance.Diplomatic efforts and international collaboration paved the way for this transition, and the impact is already tangible. With Maduro gone, the Orinoco Belt’s treasure trove—over 300 billion barrels of heavy crude—is ready for revival. U.S. companies, including powerhouses like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, are gearing up for a triumphant comeback. Expelled under Maduro’s regime, they’re now returning with fresh licenses, technological expertise, and massive investments. Chevron has surged ahead, boosting production in joint ventures thanks to eased sanctions. Full access could soon restore production to pre-sanction levels. ExxonMobil, emboldened by arbitration victories, is exploring lucrative offshore opportunities near the Guyana-Venezuela border. Meanwhile, ConocoPhillips is eager to reclaim and optimize assets with advanced upgrading technology.This American resurgence isn’t just about reclaiming lost ground—it’s about leveling the playing field against Russia’s Urals blend. Once upgraded, Venezuelan extra-heavy oil matches Urals in refining quality, suitable for high-demand products like diesel and jet fuel. With output expected to surge by 1–2 million barrels per day in the coming years, major Asian markets like India and China will benefit from greater supply, potentially driving global prices down and squeezing Russia’s oil revenues. 

Vice President Vance is also talking about this historic move, saying that drug trafficking must be stopped and stolen oil must be returned to the United States of America.Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of the sad story of the socialist takeover of Venezuela by Hugo Chavez and later his strongman Nicolás Maduro—another lesson in why socialism never works. I hope New York learns more of a lesson from what happened in Venezuela. This sad socialist dictator story was almost cliché, and hopefully now it can have a happy ending after decades of suffering of the Venezuelan people from this socialist regime. Also, President Trump’s movement towards energy dominance and the potential resurgence of the Venezuelan oil industry will be a big boom for the US economy and the global economy, and it will also put more pressure on Russia and Vladimir Putin. Peace through strength, peace through energy.The markets will be feeling excited. WTI crude prices—with the potential of Venezuela ramping up, there’s a real possibility for downward pressure—excellent news for inflation-watchers and consumers everywhere. Combined with OPEC’s measured approach and steady U.S. shale production, the energy landscape looks more balanced and optimistic than ever.So, raise your coffee mugs to new possibilities! Venezuela is back in the game, American companies are leading the charge, and Russia faces tough competition. The future of energy, because of Trump’s actions, is brighter, more competitive, and full of promise.Venezuela’s Arco Minero region, brimming with gold, coltan, nickel, and rare earth minerals, is now a beacon of opportunity for the mining sector. With potential shifts in U.S. policy, companies with established claims and expertise in critical minerals may soon seize new prospects. Gold Reserve Inc., a Canadian company with long-standing gold and copper claims, is well positioned to enforce its $1 billion arbitration settlement. Barrick Gold, an industry titan, stands to profit from rising gold prices and fresh opportunities in the region. Meanwhile, MP Materials, a U.S. leader in rare earths, could gain big if Venezuelan supply disrupts China’s market dominance, and Lynas Rare Earths of Australia may also benefit if the U.S. seeks to diversify supply chains away from China. The future is looking bright for energy and mining investors as optimism sweeps across the sector.The effort to rebuild Venezuela’s deteriorated oil infrastructure—estimated to cost between $7 and $9 billion—will focus on pipelines, refineries, and oil fields. Major oil service providers such as Baker Hughes and Weatherford are well-positioned to secure contracts for this rehabilitation work, potentially leading to broader infrastructure development, including investments in power and roads. These activities are likely to provide a significant regional boost for Texas-based firms and drive additional growth in the energy sector.While the current rally is largely fueled by speculation, long-term gains will depend on stable governance and sustained investment. If oil supply from Venezuela increases, it will put downward pressure on prices, which would favor refiners over producers in the market. Stay tuned to Fox for more updates as this dynamic story unfolds.

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