Why Trump argues the US deserves Venezuela’s oil

WASHINGTON – The US has ratcheted up pressure on the government of Venezuela with a series of measures designed to stifle the country’s vital oil exports, including a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers going to and from the country. US President Donald Trump and top administration officials say their main objectives are to stem the flow of illegal narcotics from the country and force President Nicolás Maduro from power. But for decades, US companies dominated Venezuelan oil production before most saw their operations expropriated in the early 2000s. Mr Trump and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have…