← Back to All Videos

Oil, Gold, and the End of the Petrodollar: The Real Venezuela Story

Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Jan 6, 2026

The U.S. invaded Venezuela and seized its president. This move wasn’t about Venezuela’s politics—it was about preserving U.S. dominance through oil, gold, and control of the global monetary system. Because beneath the surface, Venezuela represents everything the U.S. needs—and everything the dollar cannot survive losing.

Why Venezuela’s Oil Is Critical to the U.S.

The U.S. is now the world’s largest oil producer. Sounds good, right? But there’s a problem they’re not telling you:

  • America produces mostly “light” oil, which is great for gasoline.
  • But decades ago, during the oil crisis of the 1970s, the U.S. retooled its entire refining infrastructure—at a cost of hundreds of billions—to handle heavy crude instead.
  • Now, reversing that would take years and more billions—not to mention tank refining profits in the meantime.

So what’s left? Import heavy crude. And where does it come from?

  • Canada (60% of U.S. imports)
  • Venezuela, formerly the largest oil exporter on Earth
  • Definitely not Russia

The problem is Venezuela’s heavy crude infrastructure collapsed under years of U.S. sanctions and economic decay. That left America cornered, and re-entering Venezuela became the only viable option—a move even Trump previewed when he said U.S. oil companies would “go in and fix the broken infrastructure.”

The Petrodollar Is Breaking—And Venezuela Helped Push It

Since the 1970s, oil has been priced in U.S. dollars, giving rise to the “petrodollar” system. This structure forced global demand for dollars and gave the U.S. massive economic leverage.

But the system is crumbling:

  • In 2022, the U.S. froze Russia’s dollar reserves after the Ukraine invasion.
  • That sent a clear message: your reserves are only safe as long as Washington agrees with you.
  • The result? A global stampede into de-dollarization.

Nations began:

  • Trading oil in local currencies
  • Establishing non-Western payment systems
  • Settling in hard assets like gold

Venezuela was a key player in this shift, forced off the dollar system and into deeper alliances with China and BRICS. This threatened the very foundation of U.S. dollar dominance.

BRICS, Gold, and the New Monetary Order

While the U.S. prints more debt, the BRICS nations are doing something very different:

  • China is buying record amounts of gold
  • They’re building the Shanghai Gold Exchange and a regional gold vaulting network
  • Their Belt and Road Initiative creates infrastructure for non-dollar trade settlement

And Venezuela?

  • A major participant in Belt and Road
  • Home to critical rare earths needed for modern warfare
  • China’s largest Latin American oil partner

Just hours before Maduro was seized, he met with China’s Latin America envoy. Coincidence? Doubtful.

Could the U.S. Use Venezuela’s Gold Reserves?

There’s speculation that this invasion wasn’t just about oil—but gold.

  • Venezuela holds more gold than any other Latin American country
  • Billions are tied up in legal disputes with the Bank of England
  • Could this be a coordinated move to seize or control those reserves?

Gold & Silver: The Only Lifeboats in a Sinking System

This isn’t about politics. It’s about preserving your wealth in a collapsing system.

Here’s what history shows us:

  • Every currency reset begins with inflation, then hyperinflation, then devaluation.
  • Fiat currencies fail—but gold always survives.
  • Venezuela’s own people watched their savings wiped out by inflation, while those who held physical gold preserved their purchasing power.

Now the same forces are at play:

  • De-dollarization is accelerating
  • The U.S. must print more to stay afloat
  • The value of your dollars, savings, and retirement is under direct threat

Gold and silver aren’t just hedges. They’re exits.

This Is How Dollar Hegemony Ends

This isn’t just about Venezuela.

It’s about:

  • A global pivot away from the dollar
  • The return of real money and tangible assets
  • And a coming storm that will crush those stuck in fiat systems

The first thought that should cross your mind? “I don’t have enough gold and silver for what’s coming.”

About ITM Trading

ITM Trading has over 28 years of experience helping clients safeguard their wealth through personalized strategies built on physical gold and silver. Our team of experts delivers research-backed guidance tailored to today’s economic threats.

THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING GOLD & SILVER?
Get expert guidance from our team of analysts with 28+ years of experience.
👉 [SCHEDULE YOUR CALL HERE] or call 866-351-4219

Secure Your Future With Gold & Silver

Access expert advice and transparent pricing—backed by decades of leadership in retirement protection.
Schedule Strategy Call

Sources & References In This Article

Similar Posts

Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Jan 13, 2026

GOLD or SILVER in 2026: Which Should You Be Stacking?

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Jan 8, 2026

Gold Exposes Dollar Reset While Media Pushes False Narrative

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Jan 4, 2026

$9 TRILLION 2026 Debt Wall Exposes U.S. Buyer Crisis

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Dec 30, 2025

Gold & Silver’s Surge Warns of a 2026 Great Reckoning

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Dec 23, 2025

A MASSIVE End of Year Message

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Dec 21, 2025

2025 Year End Recap: What Surprised Us Most

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Dec 18, 2025

Gold Is Repricing Everything as the Reset Accelerates

Learn More
Taylor Kenney - ITM Trading Dec 16, 2025

Gold Warning Issued as New Monetary System Takes Hold

Learn More
Claim Your FREE Gold & Silver Protection Guide
Inside this free guide, you'll discover:
  • Why Gold & Silver Are Real Money - And Paper Isn’t
  • What to Buy, What to Avoid, and Why It Matters
  • The Best Ways to Buy Gold & Silver Today
  • How to Build a Wealth Strategy That Lasts Any Economic Crisis
Gold & Silver Protection Guide
Gold & Silver Protection Guide