The big difference is that the oil in UAE is easy to extract and use, the oil in Venezuela isn't.

Looking just at the facts, the action to take over Venezuela seems to be a good decision.

1. Public opinion isn't as important anymore, as Trumpism has found a way to flood the zone with so much shit, they have many more options

2. International environment looks way harsher and less cooperative, stressing the need to gain resources/influence

3. Resource rich, unstable country that has been in the headline and run down for years, right on the doorstep of the US

If they really gain access to all that oil the challenges US hegemony is bolstered up again. Seems low risk high reward. If they give it the facade of legitimacy by installing a local puppet government, they might get away with it.

As expected: "Trump now turns now to oil. He claims the oil business in Venezuela has been a 'bust', and that large US companies are going to go into the country to fix the infrastructure and "start making money for the country"."