Donald Trump’s claimed “biggest oil deal in world history” with Venezuela is facing serious legal, financial and logistical obstacles, making it unlikely to succeed. The agreement followed the US capture of Nicolás Maduro and is intended to give Washington a financial stake in Venezuelan oil production, but experts and officials told the Guardian that many of the administration’s claims are inaccurate or misleading.

Venezuelan law reportedly limits oil-development agreements to 25 years, while the Pentagon office involved may lack legal authority to own company shares. The arrangement is also not expected to provide new investment or replenish the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve soon. At its centre is Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt López, who has faced international scrutiny over corruption allegations but has never been charged or convicted; sceptics question whether the deal can overcome Venezuela’s unstable legal and commercial environment.