Ben Bartenstein
Verified
@business correspondent & @aajajcamp co-director • Mideast, LatAm, Washington & Wall St • bbartenstei3@bloomberg.net • Signal: bbartens.123
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ben Bartenstein
イラン小学校はなぜ爆撃されたか 児童123人死亡、 米軍｢今世紀最悪｣のミスに AIも影響
イラン小学校はなぜ爆撃されたか 児童123人死亡、 米軍｢今世紀最悪｣のミスに AIも影響 米・イスラエルによるイラン攻撃開始の日、米軍の標的選定ミスで南部ミナブの小学校が爆撃され、児童123人が死亡した。軍の標的特定から攻撃までの「キルチェーン」の各段階で、誤情報やヒューマンエラーが重なり、攻撃対象を見直す機会を逃していたことが内部調査で分かってきた。...
Pentagon Plans to Hold Report on School Strike Past Midterms
Photographer: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- Top Pentagon officials have expressed their intention to hold off on releasing an internal report into the attack on a school in southern Iran until after the US midterm elections at the...
El magnate Alejandro Betancourt comenzó a reconstruir su imperio petrolero antes de la caída de Maduro
Bloomberg — Alejandro Betancourt comenzó a reconstruir su imperio petrolero venezolano casi dos años antes de que las fuerzas estadounidenses capturaran a Nicolás Maduro. A partir de abril de 2024, este empresario de 46 años resolvió una antigua disputa con la empresa petrolera estatal venezolana, recuperó el acceso a un yacimiento prometedor del que había perdido el control y fue incorporando progresivamente nuevos proyectos petroleros.
Oil Mogul’s Hunt for Venezuela Riches Began Years Before Maduro’s Capture
Photographer: Federico Parra/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- Alejandro Betancourt started rebuilding his Venezuelan oil empire nearly two years before US forces captured Nicolás Maduro.
Magnate petrolero fue tras la riqueza venezolana antes de caer Maduro
Alejandro Betancourt llevaba casi dos años reconstruyendo su imperio petrolero en Venezuela cuando las fuerzas estadounidenses capturaron a Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela weighs OPEC exit as US discusses stake in oil fields
Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago. The idea of an exit has been a topic in conversations with U.S. officials, and no final decision has been made, said some of the people, asking not to be identified discussing private information.
Inside the US ‘Kill Chain’ That Destroyed an Iranian School
Inside the US ‘Kill Chain’ That Destroyed an Iranian School Pentagon investigators have discovered that flawed intelligence, outdated imagery and an overreliance on AI contributed to a missile strike that killed 123 children in Minab.
Monaco set to exit dirty-money list along with Bulgaria, Ivory Coast
Monaco is among several nations poised to exit a global financial watchdog’s dirty money watchlist next month, marking a change in fortune for the city-state that’s home to the world’s highest concentration of millionaires and billionaires. The French Riviera principality was placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s “gray list” in June 2024, bringing with it heightened scrutiny over shortcomings in its efforts to tackle illegal money flows.
Mónaco, el país con la mayor concentración de multimillonarios, sale de la lista gris de dinero sucio
Mónaco se encuentra entre varias naciones que están a punto de salir de la lista de vigilancia de dinero sucio de un organismo de control financiero global el próximo mes, lo que marca un cambio de fortuna para la ciudad-estado que alberga la mayor concentración de millonarios y multimillonarios del mundo.
Após avanços no sistema financeiro, Mônaco sai da lista de países com dinheiro sujo
Bloomberg — Mônaco está entre os vários países prestes a sair da lista de observação de dinheiro sujo de um órgão global de supervisão financeira no próximo mês, o que marca uma reviravolta na sorte da cidade-estado que abriga a maior concentração de milionários e bilionários do mundo.
Monaco Set to Exit Dirty-Money List Along With Bulgaria, Ivory Coast
Photographer: Andrei Antipov/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- Monaco is among several nations poised to exit a global financial watchdog’s dirty money watchlist next month, marking a change in fortune for the city-state that’s home to the world’s...
Top US Lobby Firm Had Hidden Ties to Iran, Russia Oil Tycoons
In early March, as the war in Iran sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel, executives at a Washington-based lobbying firm called Qorvis made an unusual suggestion to senior US officials, according to people familiar with the matter: The Trump administration should relax some sanctions on Iran and Russia to help stabilize the market. Within days, the Treasury Department issued short-term waivers allowing the sale and offloading of Iranian and Russian oil stranded on tankers at sea.
Top US Lobby Firm Had Hidden Ties to Iran, Russia Oil Tycoons
Illustration: 731; Photo: Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- In early March, as the war in Iran sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel, executives at a Washington-based lobbying firm called Qorvis made an unusual suggestion to senior US officials,...
Venezuela weighs OPEC exit as US discusses stake in oil fields
Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago. The idea of an exit has been a topic in conversations with US officials, and no final decision has been made, said some of the people, asking not to be identified discussing private information.
El Pentágono va por el petróleo de Venezuela: Negocia acuerdo con el millonario Alejandro Betancourt
El gobierno de Estados Unidos busca obtener una participación importante en las reservas petroleras de Venezuela mediante una posible asociación entre el Departamento de Defensa y Alejandro Betancourt, un controvertido inversionista energético que se ha convertido en un intermediario clave entre ambos países. Las negociaciones se centran en hasta 17 yacimientos petroleros que abarcan las principales cuencas de hidrocarburos de Venezuela, según personas familiarizadas con el asunto.
Pentagon in Talks With Venezuelan Mogul for Massive Oil Deal (1)
The US government is pursuing a major stake in Venezuelan oil reserves via a potential partnership between the Department of Defense and , a controversial energy investor who has become a key middleman between the two countries. The negotiations are focused on as many as 17 oil fields that span Venezuela’s main petroleum basins, according to people familiar with the matter.
El Pentágono negocia multimillonario acuerdo petrolero con magnate venezolano
(Bloomberg) -- Read story in English El gobierno de Estados Unidos busca obtener una participación importante en las reservas petroleras de Venezuela mediante una posible asociación entre el Departamento de Defensa y Alejandro Betancourt, un controvertido inversionista energético que se ha convertido en un intermediario clave entre ambos países.
El Pentágono negocia multimillonario acuerdo petrolero con magnate venezolano
La medida "transformaría la posición de EE.UU. en los mercados petroleros internacionales, su poder de influencia en Venezuela y su participación en el futuro del país", afirmó en un mensaje de texto Evan Ellis, investigador sénior no residente del Center for Strategic and International Studies y exfuncionario del Departamento de Estado. Nota Original: Pentagon Is in Talks With Venezuelan Mogul for Massive Oil Deal More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Pentagon Is in Talks With Venezuelan Mogul for Massive Oil Deal
(Bloomberg) -- The US government is pursuing a major stake in Venezuelan oil reserves via a potential partnership between the Department of Defense and Alejandro Betancourt, a controversial energy investor who has become a key middleman between the two countries.
Venezuela avalia deixar Opep e amplia dúvidas sobre grupo
Bloomberg — O domínio de décadas da Opep sobre o mercado global de petróleo volta a se enfraquecer enquanto a Venezuela, membro fundador, tornando-se o segundo país em questão de meses a considerar uma saída. As discussões em Caracas sobre deixar ou não a organização que o país ajudou a criar há mais de seis décadas, em meio a uma aproximação cada vez maior com os EUA, podem ter impacto imediato insignificante sobre a oferta global de petróleo, segundo operadores de petróleo.
Venezuela weighs OPEC exit as U.S. discusses oil stake
Skip to Content The idea of an exit has been a topic in conversations with U.S. officials, and no final decision has been made A worker of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA participates in a drill to reduce risks from natural disasters or armed conflicts at the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State, Venezuela, on September 27, 2025.
Venezuela evalúa abandonar la OPEP mientras profundiza su alianza con Estados Unidos
Venezuela evalúa abandonar la OPEP (Europa Press) Venezuela está considerando si debería abandonar la OPEP, según personas familiarizadas con el asunto, lo que podría asestar un nuevo golpe al cartel petrolero que ayudó a crear hace más de seis décadas. La idea de una salida ha sido tema de conversaciones con funcionarios de Estados Unidos y no se ha tomado una decisión final, dijeron algunas de las personas, que pidieron no ser identificadas al hablar de información privada.
Venezuela weighs Opec exit as US discusses oil stake — Bloomberg
Ben Bartenstein, Mie Dahl, Fabiola Zerpa & Mitchell Ferman / BloombergFri, Aug 28, 2026 • 09:01 PM GMT+08 • • 6 min read Since US forces captured Maduro on Jan 3 and acting President Delcy Rodríguez took power, relations between Washington and Caracas have shifted from isolation and acrimony to a deepening partnership as Trump exerts significant leverage over the nation and Follow us on Facebook and join our Telegram channel for the latest updates.
Venezuela evalúa abandonar la OPEP mientras profundiza su alianza con EE.UU.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Venezuela razmatra izlazak iz OPEC-a, SAD želi udio u njihovim naftnim poljima
Venezuela razmatra izlazak iz Organizacije zemalja izvoznica nafte (OPEC), što bi mogao biti novi udarac naftnom kartelu koji je suosnovala prije više od šest desetljeća. Ideja je raspravljana s američkim dužnosnicima, ali konačna odluka još nije donesena, rekli su izvori Bloomberga koji su željeli ostati anonimni.
Venecuela razmatra izlazak iz OPEC-a, SAD ciljaju udeo u njenim naftnim poljima
Venecuela razmatra mogućnost izlaska iz Organizacije zemalja izvoznica nafte (OPEC), što bi mogao biti novi udarac naftnom kartelu čiji je i sama bila jedan od osnivača pre više od šest decenija. Ideja o izlasku bila je tema razgovora sa američkim zvaničnicima, ali konačna odluka još nije doneta, rekli su izvori koji su želeli da ostanu anonimni.
Венецуела размислува за излез од ОПЕК, САД преговараат за удел во нафтените полиња
Венецуела размислува дали да го напушти ОПЕК, изјавија луѓе запознаени со случајот, што потенцијално би било нов удар за нафтениот картел во чие основање помогна пред повеќе од шест децении. Идејата за излез била тема во разговорите со американските претставници, а конечна одлука сè уште не е донесена, рекоа некои од изворите, барајќи да не бидат именувани бидејќи зборуваат за доверливи информации.
Venezuela weighs Opec exit as US discusses oil stake - Bloomberg
Venezuela is considering whether it should quit Opec, according to people familiar with the matter, potentially delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago. (Aug 28): Venezuela is considering whether it should quit Opec, according to people familiar with the matter, potentially delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago.
Venezuela weighs OPEC exit after decades as it deepens U.S. ties
Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago. The idea of an exit has been a topic in conversations with U.S. officials, and no final decision has been made, said some of the people, asking not to be identified discussing private information.
Venezuela Weighs OPEC Exit After Decades as It Deepens US Ties
BB By Ben Bartenstein, Mie Dahl and Mitchell Ferman, Bloomberg August 27, 2026 05:53 PM CDT Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago.
Venezuela weighs OPEC exit as US discusses stake in oil fields
Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago. The idea of an exit has been a topic in conversations with U.S. officials, and no final decision has been made, said some of the people, asking not to be identified discussing private information.
Venezuela evalúa abandonar la OPEP mientras refuerza sus vínculos con Estados Unidos
Bloomberg — Según fuentes familiarizadas con el asunto, Venezuela está estudiando detenidamente la posibilidad de abandonar la OPEP, lo que supondría un nuevo golpe para el cártel petrolero que ella misma ayudó a crear hace más de seis décadas. La idea de una salida ha sido tema de conversación con funcionarios estadounidenses, y aún no se ha tomado ninguna decisión definitiva, afirmaron algunas de estas personas, que solicitaron permanecer en el anonimato al tratar información privada.
Venezuela Weighs OPEC Exit as US Discusses Oil Fields Stake Original
Photographer: Pedro Mattey/AFP/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela is considering whether it should quit OPEC, according to people familiar with the matter, potentially delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six...
Venezuela weighs Opec exit as US discusses stake in oil fields - Bloomberg
Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave Opec, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago. (Aug 28): Venezuela is closely examining plans to leave Opec, according to people familiar with the matter, delivering a fresh blow to the oil cartel it helped create more than six decades ago.
Trump’s Venezuela fixer is promoting ‘America First’ oil deals
1 day ago Venezuela and Japan both experienced major quakes this summer. Their responses differed, and not just because of money. In June and July, mega-earthquakes hit Venezuela and Japan; in the past two weeks, major quakes have struck Colombia and Indonesia. It’s too early to know the aftermath of the …
Trump’s Venezuela Fixer Is Promoting ‘America First’ Oil Deals
Photographer: Vladimir Marcano/Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- A Venezuelan mogul who minted a fortune selling power turbines and pumping oil has emerged as the Trump administration’s fixer for promoting “America First” deals for favored US companies, as...
Hilton Plans Frankfurt Hotel Exit as US Sanctions Iranian Owner
Ali Ansari used shell companies and bank accounts across multiple jurisdictions to accumulate vast holdings under Saint Kitts and Nevis-based Smart Global Ltd., the US Treasury Department said last week when it designated the financier and the firm. Smart Global has been the ultimate owner of two properties in Germany’s financial hub: Hilton Frankfurt City Centre and the Hilton Frankfurt Gravenbruch, corporate records show.
Hilton Plans Frankfurt Hotel Exit as US Sanctions Iranian Owner
Source: Hilton (Bloomberg) -- Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
Trump says Iran ceasefire over but talks on deal to continue
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said the U.S. would continue talks with Iran but considers the ceasefire between the countries to be over. His administration quickly moved to add additional pressure on Tehran. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!," Trump said Friday on social media.
US Sanctions Supreme Leader’s Network as Iran Ceasefire Frays
Photographer: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- The US imposed sanctions on Iranian financier Ali Ansari, accusing him of managing a global network of assets for Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other senior regime figures, the latest...
Trump Says Iran Ceasefire Over But Talks on Deal to Continue Original
Photographer: Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump said the US would continue talks with Iran but considers the ceasefire between the countries to be over.
Trump says Iran ceasefire over but talks on deal to continue
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the U.S. would continue talks with Iran but considers the ceasefire between the countries to be over. His administration quickly moved to add additional pressure on Tehran. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!,” Trump said Friday on social media.
Trump says Iran ceasefire over but talks on deal to continue
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the U.S. would continue talks with Iran but considers the ceasefire between the countries to be over. His administration quickly moved to add additional pressure on Tehran. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!,” Trump said Friday on social media.
Porodična kancelarija vladara Abu Dabija šeika Mohammeda bin Zayeda Al Nahyana postala je globalna sila u investicionim poslovima
U srcu finansijskog centra Dubaija nalazi se investicioni fond čije se ime retko pominje u javnosti, iako se njegov novac iznova pojavljuje u poslovima širom sveta. Posluje toliko diskretno da je identitet njegovog vlasnika godinama bio nepoznat čak i jednom dugogodišnjem zaposlenom. AC Limited je porodična kancelarija šeika Mohammeda bin Zayeda Al Nahyana, predsednika Ujedinjenih Arapskih Emirata i vladara Abu Dabija.
Porodična kancelarija: Šta se krije iza investicijskog fonda vladara Emirata
U srcu finansijskog centra Dubaija nalazi se investicioni fond čije se ime rijetko pominje u javnosti, iako se njegov novac iznova pojavljuje u poslovima širom svijeta. Posluje toliko diskretno da je identitet njegovog vlasnika godinama bio nepoznat čak i jednom dugogodišnjem zaposlenom. AC Limited je porodična kancelarija šeika Mohammeda bin Zayeda Al Nahyana, predsjednika Ujedinjenih Arapskih Emirata i vladara Abu Dabija.
Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Family Office Is a Global Dealmaking Force
July 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT In the heart of Dubai’s financial center sits an investment fund whose name is rarely mentioned in public, though its money surfaces with striking regularity in deals around the world.
シティなど米銀を司法省が調査、イラン最高指導者の投資網めぐり
Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Ben
Contact Ben, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack