Trump Optimistic on Bringing Back Venezuela Oil Operations in Under 18 Months

(L-R) CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth listen as President Donald Trump addresses the media at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 3, 2026. Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesThe U.S. oil industry could get new operations in Venezuela “up and running” in less than 18 months in the wake of leader Nicolás Maduro’s capture, U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday.“I think we can do it in less time than that, but it’ll be a lot of money,” Trump told NBC News in an interview. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.”