President Donald Trump on Friday urged U.S. oil executives to re-engage with Venezuela, presenting the country’s crumbling infrastructure and vast petroleum reserves as a $100 billion opportunity for American investment.

The call follows a U.S. military operation targeting former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which Trump has framed as a chance to expand U.S. economic influence. He announced that the United States has taken control of tankers carrying Venezuelan crude and will oversee the sale of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned oil, managing global distribution for an indefinite period.

During a White House meeting, executives expressed cautious interest. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods described Venezuela as “un-investable at this time,” citing long-standing commercial and political challenges.

Trump sought to allay such concerns, urging oil companies to view the opportunity despite decades of political instability, asset seizures, and lingering U.S. sanctions.