An ally of President Trump has publicly defended a new oil deal with Venezuela. The agreement, which aims to develop Venezuela's oil reserves, has drawn criticism, with some observers labeling it "gunpoint diplomacy."
Following President Trump's plan, Chevron announced it will expand its operations in Venezuela. This move is expected to increase U.S. influence over the nation's significant oil resources.
Despite the expansion, the deal has raised concerns, with some analysts calling it troubling. A major unanswered question revolves around the source of an estimated $100 billion in funding required for the Venezuelan oil initiative. This is a developing story and will be updated as details emerge.