Militia groups outside Caracas' control could endanger oil workers, while a drop in crude oil prices makes it harder for companies to recoup investments.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the U.S. is in "close correspondence" with interim Venezuelan authorities following the toppling of the Maduro regime.

The U.S. seized an empty Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.

First, the country must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties, the sources said. Second, Venezuela must agree to partner exclusively with the U.S. on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil, they added.

Trump expects huge investment in Venezuela, but will big oil play ball? Former Venezuelan Minister Ricardo Hausmann, now with Harvard University, says firms won’t invest without democratic legitimacy.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday night that Venezuela will turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, to be sold at market value and with the proceeds controlled by the US.

The U.S. seized Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in a military operation Saturday, removing them both from their home on a military base in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Hours later, Trump said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela and expressed skepticism that Machado could ever be its leader.

US President Donald Trump has said Venezuela "will be turning over" up to 50 million barrels of oil - worth about $2.8bn (£2.1bn) - to the US, after a military operation to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.