Unlocking Venezuela's dormant oil reserves could reshape energy markets and boost U.S. interests—or so the thinking goes. The strategy hinges on reviving idle production capacity while strengthening America's energy independence. However, this approach runs into several headwinds. First, decades of infrastructure decay and underinvestment demand massive capital commitments. Second, geopolitical complications persist despite potential policy shifts. Third, global energy dynamics have shifted—renewable transitions and market oversupply create structural headwinds. These factors suggest the path to mutual economic gains isn't straightforward, despite surface-level appeal.