Venezuela leader gave Trump fund US$500,000

Venezuela's president donated gave US$500,000 to Donald Trump inauguration fund – while food shortages and economic strife cripple the South American country.

Recently released inaugural committee records show Citgo Petroleum was one of the ceremony's biggest corporate donors.

Citgo Petroleum is a US affiliate of Venezuela's state oil company.

The sum is higher than a number of US firms, including Verizon (US$100,00) and Walmart (US$150,00), and matches that provided by Exxon and JP Morgan Chase.

The South American country has the world's largest oil reserves and once commanded a booming economy, but many Venezuelans accuse President Nicolas Maduro of pilfering the nation's wealth.

Maduro has been attempting to keep the new US president on side, but in February Trump met the wife of a jailed opposition leader at the White House.

Earlier this week the US State Department issued a statement decrying violence against protesters.

"Those responsible for the criminal repression of peaceful democratic activity... will be held individually accountable for their actions by the Venezuelan people and their institutions, as well as the international community," the statement read.

Yesterday, two people were shot dead as thousands of Venezuelans took part in protests against Maduro demanding fresh elections and the release of jailed opposition politicians.

Venezuela leader gave Trump fund US$500,000

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