US-Venezuela conflict: Experts caution that building the necessary infrastructure for oil exploration will take years and might not substantially reduce the US debt of $38.4 trillion.
Conflict between the US and Venezuela: On Saturday morning, the United States launched a massive military operation against Venezuela, a momentous event that shocked the whole world. US President Donald Trump used his social media account, Truth Social, to announce the US attack on Venezuela.
Additionally, the US President declared that Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, and his spouse had been apprehended and evacuated by plane. President Donald Trump stated that the US intended to use Venezuela's enormous oil reserves to sell to other countries following the successful US military operation. This statement sparked rumors about the advantages the US administration is considering by gaining control of Venezuela's 303 billion proven oil reserves.
US debt: Important numbers
Experts estimate that the current US debt is $38.4 trillion, which presents a serious problem for the US administration, which must pay $1 trillion in interest each year due to the US government's need to pay 8% percent on this debt.
US debt figures, Venezuela's oil reserves?
"Oil exploration requires time and is an institutional investment. As of right now, Chevron Corporation is the only American business doing business in Venezuela. Establishing the infrastructure needed by an oil corporation for oil exploration would take at least three to four years in order to fully control Venezuela's oil reserves. The US government is currently one of the parties who must make this investment. According to Amit Goel, Chief Global Strategist at Pace 360, "the US government is facing an uphill task to set up an infrastructure that an oil company needs before starting the oil exploration business before minting money from Venezuela's proven oil reserves."
Venezuelan oil is extremely heavy, according to the Pace 360 specialist. There is a lot of sulfur in the crude oil that is available in Venezuela. Therefore, the high sulfur concentration at oil fields needs to be removed at an extra cost. As a result, Venezuela's oil exploration would have greater input costs. Second, because of its high sulfur content, Venezuelan oil sells for $7–8 more per barrel than WTI crude oil. Consequently, Venezuelan crude oil production would likewise be lower.
"The US national debt reached $38.4 trillion in late 2025, and they are now spending roughly $1 trillion per year just on interest payments," said Balaji Rao Mudili, Research Analyst at Bonanza, when asked about the returns the US government would receive once they managed to set up the infrastructure for oil exploration. With around 303 billion barrels, Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world. The $38 trillion principal would remain unaltered even if production were brought back to its peak of 3.5 million barrels per day and sold at $60 per barrel. This would result in an annual revenue of around $76 billion, less than 8% of the annual interest on the U.S. debt.
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