Following a US airstrike on January 3, 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody, with President Trump announcing the US would temporarily manage the country during a political transition. The article delves into Venezuela's significant oil and gold reserves, attributing its wealth to unique geology in the Orinoco Belt and Guayana Shield. These resources, including the world's largest proven oil reserves and substantial gold deposits, have attracted global attention.