Venezuela Oil & Gas Timeline: Trump Takeover Post-Maduro Arrest 2026

Dive into the comprehensive history of Venezuela's oil and gas industry in this in-depth timeline video, exploring its rise as a global energy powerhouse and the dramatic recent developments involving President Donald Trump's aggressive involvement following Nicolás Maduro's capture on January 3, 2026. Venezuela boasts the world's largest proven oil reserves, estimated at over 300 billion barrels, but its story is one of boom, nationalization, decline, and now a bold U.S.-led revival. Starting in the early 20th century, Venezuela's oil discovery in 1914 transformed it into a key exporter, with foreign companies like Standard Oil dominating until the 1970s nationalization under President Carlos Andrés Pérez, creating PDVSA as a state-owned giant. The golden era peaked in the 1990s with production hitting 3.5 million barrels per day, fueling economic growth and global influence. However, under Hugo Chávez from 1999, further nationalizations and social spending led to mismanagement, corruption, and a sharp decline. By Maduro's era starting in 2013, U.S. sanctions intensified due to human rights abuses and election fraud, crippling output to under 500,000 barrels daily amid hyperinflation and exodus. Fast-forward to 2026: U.S. forces captured Maduro in a swift operation, paving the way for Trump's energy overhaul. In White House meetings with executives from Chevron, ExxonMobil, and nearly 20 other firms, Trump pitched a $100 billion investment plan to rebuild infrastructure, promising "total safety and total security" for American companies. The U.S. has seized five sanctioned oil tankers, securing 30-50 million barrels for refining and sale, with plans to control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized long-term U.S. oversight to stabilize global markets, potentially lowering oil prices and boosting U.S. energy independence. This video breaks down key milestones: from Lake Maracaibo's early wells to Orinoco Belt heavy crude challenges, OPEC involvement, environmental impacts, and geopolitical shifts. We analyze Trump's strategy amid falling oil prices, wary oil execs' hesitations over technical hurdles, and implications for Canada’s oil sector and global supply. Featuring expert insights, archival footage, and data visualizations, understand why Venezuela's oil matters—its hidden history of economic warfare, sanctions relief prospects, and the high-stakes power play reshaping Latin American energy. Whether you're into geopolitics, economics, or energy news, this timeline unpacks Trump's Venezuela oil takeover, Maduro's fall, and the path to reviving a neglected giant. Subscribe for more on U.S. foreign policy, oil industry updates, and 2026 world events. (412 words) #VenezuelaOilTimeline, #TrumpVenezuelaOil, #MaduroArrest2026, #USOilTakeover, #VenezuelaGasHistory, #TrumpOilInvestment, #PDVSANationalization, #OilReservesBoom, #SanctionsDecline, #EnergySecurityPlan Venezuela oil timeline, Trump involvement Venezuela, Maduro arrest 2026, US oil takeover, Venezuelan gas history, $100 billion investment, oil reserves world largest, PDVSA nationalization, Chavez era decline, US sanctions impact, oil production collapse, Trump oil CEOs meeting, total safety security, seized oil tankers, 50 million barrels, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Orinoco Belt crude, OPEC Venezuela role, global oil prices fall, Latin America energy shift