The U.S. leads global crude oil production by a significant margin, yet policymakers are exploring Venezuelan oil imports. This apparent contradiction raises questions about refinery infrastructure constraints and geopolitical considerations. American refineries have been engineered specifically to process heavy crude variants, creating dependency on particular sources. The strategic considerations around energy security, sanctions policy, and market dynamics reveal how interconnected global commodity markets are—ultimately affecting inflation pressures and broader macroeconomic conditions that impact asset valuations across different markets.