The operation to arrest Nicolás Maduro and his wife would not be motivated merely by promoting "democracy," but rather by pragmatic interests: power, security, and money. The speed of such an action would serve as a strategic warning to other regional governments not aligned with American interests.
The Oil Sector: The Primary Target
Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, surpassing Saudi Arabia. Historically, the country was the richest in Latin America during the 1950s, but suffered from the "Dutch disease," characterized by excessive dependence on a single resource.
Following the rise of Hugo Chávez and the nationalization of the industry, the lack of technical investment and the expulsion of large international companies led to production collapse. The strategic interest of the U.S. lies in the fact that its refineries are prepared for Venezuela's heavy and viscous oil. With the recovery of infrastructure by American companies, Venezuela could replace other suppliers at lower costs.
Other Strategic Resources
Besides oil, Venezuela holds other natural resources of tremendous value:
* Natural Gas: Estimated reserves of 200 trillion cubic feet.
* Gold: Significant reserves of about 161 metric tons.
* Iron Ore: The 12th largest reserve in the world, with potential value in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
* Rare Earths: Essential for the tech industry (chips and artificial intelligence), with a potential of 200 billion dollars in the Orinoco Mining Arc.
The Bitcoin Issue
There is strong speculation that the Venezuelan regime has used Bitcoin to circumvent international sanctions. Some estimates suggest that Venezuela could be the fourth largest holder of Bitcoins in the world, with about 600,000 $BTC , although this data remains speculative.
Conclusion
Venezuela is considered a fundamental strategic asset. While Maduro's exit may be seen as a relief, there is a risk of a power vacuum and internal conflicts during a transition. However, the prospect of recovering national infrastructure offers hope for a better economic future for the Venezuelan people.