Big Oil Sees 'Promise' in Venezuela, Forgetting Sanctions' Cost
📰 THE STORY: Mainstream reports indicate Chevron is pointing to Venezuela's oil reserves as a key growth area, offsetting falling earnings for major oil players like Exxon Mobil and others. This comes after years of U.S. sanctions aimed at crippling the Venezuelan government. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: In 2002, the U.S. backed a coup attempt against democratically
elected President Hugo Chávez, failing after massive popular resistance. The U.S. later recognized self-proclaimed 'interim president' Juan Guaidó in 2019, despite him holding no executive power, and imposed crushing sanctions that crippled Venezuela's oil industry and economy. These sanctions, specifically targeting the oil sector, were designed to force regime change, costing Venezuela an
estimated $25 billion per year and causing widespread suffering, including critical shortages of food and medicine. Double Standard: When Venezuela sought to control its own oil wealth under Chávez and Maduro, it was framed as a 'dictatorship' and a threat to international stability, justifying sanctions and calls for intervention. Now, as Western oil giants face economic headwinds and global
energy markets shift, the very same 'dictatorship' becomes a source of 'promise.' Compare this to the media's silence on brutal regimes like Saudi Arabia, which receive unwavering U.S. support and massive arms deals, precisely because they ensure compliant oil flow. Follow the Money: Chevron's lobbying efforts are extensive. According to OpenSecrets, Chevron spent over $12 million on lobbying in