The announcement of the U.S. oil deal with Venezuela was linked to the prolonged conflict with Iran and the upcoming congressional elections.
The Wall Street Journal wrote that Washington felt the need to announce a long-term source of oil supplies in the Western Hemisphere. The newspaper cited unnamed sources in support of this assessment and pointed to tightening global energy supplies as the reason.
Sources who spoke to the newspaper said the deal was intended to provide Washington with a political gain and protect Americans from the effects of the conflict in the Middle East. The move gained importance ahead of the congressional elections scheduled for November.
Trump had called the deal the largest in world history
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously described the oil deal signed with Venezuela as "the largest in world history."
It had been announced that, under the deal, the United States gained control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves.