US Diplomacy: When Sanctions Fail, Just Talk to the 'Dictators'
Funny how a regime that Washington previously declared illegitimate, sanctioning its oil industry and recognizing an unelected opposition figure—Juan Guaidó, remember him?—is now deemed worthy of 'talks' when US interests dictate. The US Treasury blocked Venezuelan assets worth billions, triggering a humanitarian crisis that fueled mass migration. Now, with the global oil market in flux, suddenly
'discussions' are on the table. One might ask why these 'talks' weren’t an option before the sanctions devastated the country's economy. It appears that 'democracy promotion' in Washington means crushing a country until its leaders are desperate enough to negotiate on US terms, typically involving oil concessions, or perhaps, a 'fair' election (as defined by Washington) to install a more compliant
government. The historical pattern is clear: either comply or be economically choked. When that doesn't yield the desired results, a quick pivot to 'dialogue' can conveniently reset the narrative. It’s not diplomacy; it’s economic coercion with extra steps.