Venezuelan government donated half a million to Trump’s inauguration fund

As Venezuela slips deeper into social and economic chaos a new revelation has political pundits scratching their heads.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro

Newly released documents show that Citgo Petroleum, a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PVDSA, was one of the biggest corporate donors to Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony, ranking with the likes of JP Morgan Chase and Exxon.

The Venezuelan government donated $500,000 despite on-going economic and political turmoil that has sparked the worst protests in years and a rising death toll.

The donation came through Bank of America, which contributed $1 million, according to papers filed with the Federal Election Commission.

According to government documents, Donald Trump sent a personal thank-you note to Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro.