Trump pitches Venezuela oil to U.S. majors — and hits skepticism

U.S. President Donald Trump pressed top oil executives Friday to invest in Venezuela’s vast reserves, but was met with a cautious reception — with one major CEO dismissing the country as “uninvestable” without sweeping reforms.

Trump told the industry leaders that his administration — not Caracas — would decide which firms are allowed to operate in Venezuela following the stunning capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

“We’re going to be making the decision as to which oil companies are going to go in … (we’re) going to cut a deal with the companies,” Trump said at the White House, arguing that foreign firms had faced no meaningful protections under Maduro.