U.S. officials defend deal with controversial Venezuelan oil baron - Axios

U.S. officials publicly defended a new deal with Venezuelan oil businessman Alejandro Betancourt, with one official describing him as a "proven operator" in the country's oil sector.
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital is taking a 35% equity stake in Betancourt's company as part of the arrangement.
Under the terms, the United States secures the rights to purchase 20% of the company's oil at cost, applied after the company pays its taxes.
The agreement links a U.S. government financing entity directly to a controversial figure in Venezuela's oil industry, drawing scrutiny over the choice of partner.
The defense of the deal by U.S. officials suggests an effort to justify the government's involvement despite questions surrounding Betancourt's background.