Venezuela is considering leaving OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), a move that could further weaken the group’s influence over global crude markets, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The proposal has been discussed with U.S. officials, but no final decision has been made. A withdrawal would mark a major change for Venezuela, one of the five countries that founded OPEC in 1960. The possible exit comes as Washington deepens ties with Caracas and negotiates long-term access to Venezuela’s oil reserves, including a potential 100-year lease on several oil fields. Venezuela produced about 1.16 million barrels per day in July, less than half its output a decade ago, limiting the immediate impact on global oil markets. Still, leaving OPEC could raise further questions about the group’s cohesion after the United Arab Emirates left earlier this year and could weaken its ability to influence crude prices.