Trump's Venezuela Gambit: A Deal for Oil and Votes

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is proposing a direct deal with Venezuela: American companies would develop the country's vast oil resources in exchange for lifting sanctions, according to sources familiar with the plan. The proposal aims to increase global oil supplies to lower fuel prices. This is a key issue for American voters ahead of the November election. The plan would require Venezuela's authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, to agree to a "free and fair" presidential election. Observers note this would be a major shift for a leader accused of rigging past votes. This move marks a sharp break from current U.S. policy. The Biden administration has maintained sanctions, reimposing them after Maduro broke an earlier election agreement. In a separate geopolitical shift, the U.S. has also ended a critical military partnership with Ukraine. The "Terms of Reference" agreement, which allowed for joint operations and intelligence sharing, was not renewed. Official reasons remain unclear.