The US raid on Venezuela isn't just making geopolitical waves—it could reshape oil markets in ways that hit American wallets at the pump. But before you panic about prices, there's a twist worth understanding.

Crude oil doesn't trade on weekends, so markets haven't reacted yet. When they do, three key factors suggest the impact might be surprisingly muted in the short run, despite the drama unfolding in Caracas.

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the US intends to tap Venezuelan oil reserves. That's potentially a lot of new supply hitting a market that's already drowning in crude. Oil prices have been in free fall since early last year, and this move could accelerate the slide.

Here's where it gets interesting: US companies rushing into Venezuela will face an uncomfortable paradox. Every barrel they extract adds to the world's existing glut, which pushes prices down further. Lower prices mean thinner profit margins, making the whole drilling operation less attractive. It's the oil industry's version of shooting yourself in the foot while trying to run a race.

According to reports, the choices these companies make will ultimately determine what happens to oil prices—and what consumers end up paying at gas stations. The assault on Venezuela represents more than military strategy; it's a calculated move in the global energy chess game.

With potential Venezuelan production coming online, the crude surplus could balloon even further. That affects everyone from oil executives to suburban commuters filling their tanks. The real question isn't whether supply increases, but whether drillers can navigate the profitability tightrope without making prices crash completely.