‘Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day': Rep. Maria Salazar

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. has designated the Maduro regime in Venezuela as a foreign terrorist organization, which could lead to significant political and economic changes in the region, particularly benefiting American oil companies and potentially destabilizing leftist regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua [1][3][4]. Group 1: Economic Implications - The designation of Maduro as a terrorist leader could open up over a trillion dollars in economic activity for American oil companies, as they would be able to engage in the repair and operation of Venezuela's oil infrastructure [8]. - Venezuela possesses the largest oil reserves in the world, surpassing even Saudi Arabia, which could result in a substantial windfall for the U.S. if the regime changes [17]. Group 2: Political Context - The Maduro regime is viewed as a hub for various adversaries of the U.S., including Iran and Hezbollah, which poses a security threat to the United States [9]. - The political landscape in Latin America is shifting, with a growing anti-socialist sentiment that could lead to regime changes in countries like Chile and Colombia, further isolating the Maduro regime [19][20]. Group 3: Military and Regime Change - There is speculation about how the military in Venezuela will respond to potential U.S. intervention, with indications that lower ranks may support the opposition against Maduro [11][12]. - A 100-day plan has been developed by the Venezuelan opposition to ensure a smooth transition post-Maduro, indicating preparedness for a regime change [14][15].