Chevron’s dilemma is both moral and commercial. It hopes to hang on and outlast President Nicolás Maduro, as it did with his late mentor Hugo Chávez and other rulers. The California-based giant long enjoyed close relations with the socialist regime that controls the world’s largest oil reserves , and has earned big money in Venezuela—about $2.8 billion between 2004 and 2014, according to cash-flow estimates by analytics firm GlobalData . The company is aware a pullout could trigger a collapse of the government’s finances, because a significant chunk of its scarce hard currency comes from joint operations with Chevron. Yet by staying in the country as its economic and humanitarian crises deepen, the company risks damage to its reputation by being seen as supporting an authoritarian regime sanctioned by the U.S. government . It also isn’t making much money here anymore. Filling up in Puerto Piritu, Venezuela. The government […]