Trump Admin Routes Venezuelan Oil Proceeds to Qatar, Raising Transparency Concerns

Hundreds of millions from Venezuelan oil sales are being held in a Qatar-based account rather than US banks or direct transfers to Caracas; the first sale yielded about $500 million and more are expected, with Qatar acting as intermediary to funnel funds to Venezuelan banks for food, medicine and small businesses under US oversight. Experts warn the arrangement may reduce transparency and could be used to aid the Maduro regime, while officials say the proceeds will fund government operations and essential needs in Venezuela.