Why Some Judge in Delaware Could Be Asked to Decide Who Venezuela’s President Is

The leadership crisis in Venezuela could lead to an odd legal situation in the U.S. -- a Delaware judge may be asked to decide who is the legitimate president of the South American country.

The issue could arise in the U.S. because of the power struggle over Citgo Petroleum Corp., the Houston-based refiner owned by Venezuela oil giant Petroleos de Venezuela SA. Last week, Juan Guaido, the U.S.-backed head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, named new directors to Citgo and PDVSA, a critical part of his strategy to seize oil assets and oust the regime headed by autocrat Nicolas Maduro, who remains in control of the military and other key parts of the government.