US GOVT TO TAKE STAKE IN VENEZUELAN OIL FIELDS VIA PENTAGON-BACKED DEAL

The U.S. government will acquire a 35% passive stake in a private company granted century-long rights to 17 Venezuelan oil fields containing an estimated 65 billion barrels. The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital will structure the investment in North American Blue Energy Partners, led by businessman Alejandro Betancourt. The agreement, finalized after months of secret talks, also gives the U.S. preferential rights to purchase 20% of the output at cost.