Ever since the U.S.
captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro,
President Trump has made one of his top priorities clear,
getting control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
But to do that, Trump is going to need the help of U.S.
oil companies.
On Friday last week, he called a group of oil executives to the White House for a televised meeting.
Our colleague Andrew Restusia was watching.
Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.
You have Trump and his top advisors,
including Secretary of State Barker Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright,
sitting at a series of tables in the East Room.
And then around them, at tables sort of formed,
almost like a horseshoe, are the most powerful and influential US oil executives.
Today I'm delighted to welcome almost two dozen of the biggest and most respected oil and gas executives in the world.
all sort of there waiting to have a discussion about the future of Venezuela.
And what does Trump say to them?
He sends a message that he wants them to spend big and move quickly to invest in Venezuela.
Our giant oil companies will be spending at least $100 billion of their money,
not the government's money.