Overview
- Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in New York after his capture by U.S. forces, as Washington asserts temporary control and backs Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s leader.
- President Trump told NBC News he expects U.S. oil companies could be operating in Venezuela within 18 months and promised reimbursement through federal support or future revenues.
- Senior officials signaled outreach to industry, with meetings planned this week and a suggestion that easing certain sanctions and equipment restrictions could lift output more quickly.
- Major firms have stayed cautious, with Chevron the only U.S. operator still in country and ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips focused on multi‑billion‑dollar arbitration claims from past nationalizations.
- Energy and defense shares rose on potential access, even as reports flagged PDVSA well shut‑ins under a tightened export blockade and experts said any sizable output gains would take years and tens of billions of dollars.