Chevron Finds Humanity in Venezuela, US Sanctions Thaw
Big Oil, meet 'Democratic Values.' The Independent reveals Chevron is in talks to expand its Venezuelan operating license. This comes after years of crippling U.S. sanctions, ostensibly to undermine Nicolás Maduro's 'authoritarian' government. What the mainstream media often forgets to mention is that these sanctions, enforced to *free* the Venezuelan people, disproportionately harmed the
citizenry while enriching specific political and corporate actors who profit from instability. (Remember when oil was briefly lifted just recently, then reimposed ? Funny how that happens.) One might wonder if the U.S. policy toward Venezuela is less about 'democracy' and more about controlling—or at least having access to—the world’s largest proven oil reserves. The Independent notes Washington
and Caracas are advancing negotiations for 50 million barrels of crude for the U.S. Because upholding human rights and democratic principles apparently takes a back seat when gas prices need managing. The irony, of course, is that the very 'dictatorship' the U.S. has tried to topple for years is now a key supplier for American energy needs. Principles, meet profits.