That’s an interesting question, and it points to a very fluid and significant situation in US foreign policy. However, it’s important to clarify a key point: the recent, high-profile policy changes and timelines regarding US oil operations in Venezuela have been implemented by the Biden administration, not former President Trump.

Venezuelan oil has been a rollercoaster over the past year, driven by the Biden administration’s efforts to encourage a democratic election in Venezuela.

US President Donald Trump has stated that American oil companies could have an expanded presence in Venezuela within 18 months and might even be “up and running” sooner.
 

“I think we can do it in less time than that, but it’ll be a lot of money,” Trump told NBC News. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.”