What’s behind the US deal to seize control of Venezuelan oil reserves?

The United States has announced that it has secured control of a substantial portion of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, after President Donald Trump pledged to “take back” the South American country’s energy resources.

On Friday, Trump announced that his government and that of Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez had reached a deal to give the US majority control over more than 65 billion barrels’ worth of proven oil reserves.

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Details remain unclear. But the deal will involve 17 strategic oil fields in Venezuela. The US government has said it will partner with a private business