Subject: They said it out loud
last May:

U.S. secretly negotiating deal to let Venezuela sell more oil if it takes more deportees

The Trump administration is quietly negotiating a high-stakes deal with the Nicolás Maduro regime to allow Chevron to continue exporting Venezuelan oil to the U.S.

A Caracas-based source told the Herald that under the current terms being considered, Maduro would remain in power and grant broad oil and mining concessions to U.S. companies, including Chevron. The oil giant, which holds significant assets in Venezuela, has been constrained by U.S. sanctions that have prevented full development of its holdings.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/ne...

Just like in Iraq, it's all about the oil. Recall, that, in the year before the US invasion, Saddam had negotiated contracts with several non-US oil companies. After the invasion, the US quisling regime voided those contracts, and invited the US oil companies to bid. Cue the Gomer Pyle voice "surprise, surprise, surprise"

But, seems his nibs has tired of negotiations, and will follow the Bush junta's pattern instead.

***ripped from the headlines***

Trump Halts Venezuela Talks as US Considers Cartel Targets on Land

President Donald Trump has called off US diplomatic engagement with Venezuela, people familiar with the move said, a decision that favors Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s more hardline approach and may lead to further military escalation.

Trump told Richard Grenell, a long-time aide who had been leading diplomacy with Venezuela, that he should stop pursuing a deal with Nicolas Maduro’s administration, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Grenell had been speaking to Venezuelan officials every few days.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...

Got oil?

Steve...has oil