US 'Democracy' Aid Triggers Bolivarian Gas Crisis
The Financial Times breathlessly reports that Venezuela has 'suspended' gas deals with Trinidad over a US military build-up ( Financial Times ). Missing from this narrative, of course, is the historical context of US 'democracy promotion' in a country sitting on the world's largest proven oil reserves. One might recall 2002, when the US reportedly supported a coup attempt against Hugo Chávez, or
the multiple rounds of sanctions designed to collapse the Venezuelan economy. Now, with a 'US military presence' conveniently strengthening its ties with Trinidad, Caracas is somehow unreasonable for questioning their gas partnerships. How many times must a country be told it's just 'friendly influence' before it starts securing its economic lifelines? It appears that when Washington sends B-52s
for 'exercises' and calls for 'democratic transition' (read: regime change), neighboring countries might, just might, view resource agreements with suspicion. This isn't about gas; it's about sovereignty. The FT presents it as a geopolitical spat, but it's a predictable reaction to a decades-long policy of aggressive meddling. One wonders if the US expects nations to just hand over their resources
while its military flexes nearby?