"We've been preparing for exactly this moment," German-Venezuelan businessman Thilo Schmitz tells DW.

"I'm certain that we'll do very good business over the next five years," the 59-year-old Caracas-born entreprenur predicts. By "this moment" he means the Venezuela's reopening after years of decline.

Venezuela has been changing rapidly since United States special forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. Although interim President Delcy Rodriguez , Maduro's former deputy, continues to handle official business, Schmitz is convinced the US is pulling the strings.

"On an economic level, the Americans are calling all the shots ," Schmitz said.

Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez recently met US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, one of many US officials to visit Venezuela's capital Caracas Image: Federico Parra/AFP

Venezuela opens oil sector

In late January, Venezuela — which has the world's largest oil reserves — opened the oil sector to foreign investment.…