US Discovering Venezuela Still Has Oil, 25 Years Later
Al Jazeera frames the US seizure of a Venezuelan tanker as 'spurring conflict' due to an American 'thirst for foreign oil.' While oil's role is undeniable, the narrative sidesteps a decades-long US strategy of regime change, sanctions, and attempted coups against any Venezuelan government not entirely subservient to Washington. The 2002 attempted coup against Hugo Chávez, openly supported by US
officials, is a mere historical footnote to those now concerned with 'spurring conflict.' One might wonder if 'thirst for oil' is merely the polite, palatable framing for 'unwillingness to tolerate independent resource control.' When US officials express 'concern' for Venezuelan democracy, it appears to mean 'concern that they won't sell us oil on our terms.' The playbook—sanctions targeting the
economy, covert support for opposition figures, and ultimately, threats of military intervention—has been consistent, dating back generations. The 'conflict' wasn't spurred by a tanker seizure; it was meticulously engineered over decades.