Trump's Venezuela Plans: Freedom for Oil, Again?
While the Times frames this as a novel strategic dilemma, it's a well-worn playbook for US foreign policy. From Chile in 1973 to Iraq in 2003, 'weighing options' has consistently led to military intervention, often justified by concerns over resources or perceived threats to 'democracy.' Venezuela, sitting on the world's largest proven oil reserves, is no stranger to this dance, facing sanctions
and coup attempts for daring to pursue a path independent of Washington's dictates. One might wonder if these 'options' include the humanitarian costs, or perhaps just the potential oil profits. The cycle of demonization followed by intervention is as predictable as a pundit's outrage on cable news. How many times will we 'weigh options' for regime change before acknowledging its disastrous track
record?