General Discussion

First, the oil that comes from Venezuela is exactly what many Gulf Coast refineries were built to refine. This is possibly the main reason for targeting Venezuelan oil to begin with. Campaign promises to oil companies must be fulfilled--not so much to the American people.

"Venezuelan oil is particularly dense and sticky. The high-sulphur crude more closely resembles a semi-solid tar than the far clearer liquids produced in US shale heartlands, making it more difficult to extract and process into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and feedstock for the chemicals industry. But it is exactly what many refineries in the US were built to treat."
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/05/venezuelan-crude-oil-appeals-to-us-refineries

Second, it seems highly likely that the VP of Venezuela--Delcy Rodríguez--was in on the ousting of Maduro. It explains a lot: how did the U.S. have such great intelligence on Maduro's residence; why did the U.S. not immediately back the true winners of the election that Maduro stole? Who in Venezuela at this point has gained the most from the U.S. raid? Why would you leave the rest of the regime in power?

They aren't looking for a friend in Venezuela. They would have to treat a friend much better than a beholden enemy.

My $.02....