Trump's Venezuela Deal Is a 'Shameful' Gift to Dictators: Former Adviser

Elliott Abrams, a former adviser to the Trump administration, has expressed his disappointment with the recent shift in the U.S. policy towards Venezuela. In a recent op-ed, Abrams criticized the Trump administration's new oil arrangement with the country's interim government, calling it a "shameful sellout." Abrams argues that the deal provides the U.S. with a stake in Venezuela's oil reserves, thereby strengthening the position of interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

The deal grants the United States a 20 percent stake in Venezuela's national oil patrimony at no cost, marking a significant shift from the administration's earlier focus on political change towards economic engagement with Rodríguez's government. The arrangement has faced criticism from various quarters within Venezuela's political landscape, and Abrams highlights the involvement of Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, who stands accused of money laundering in Switzerland and Spain.

Abrams, who previously supported the U.S. intervention to remove former President Nicolás Maduro, now questions the administration's commitment to facilitating Venezuela's return to democracy. Abrams asserts that the deal incentivizes Rodríguez's government to maintain power, as she is directly involved in negotiating the terms. He also points out the lack of personal involvement from the current administration, attributing the shift to the team changes and differing priorities.