US Promises Prosperity, Delivers Sanctions and Instability to Venezuela
📰 THE STORY: The BBC reports on a heated hearing where Senator Marco Rubio asserted that US intervention in Venezuela would lead to prosperity and security, despite questions about the legality of 'Maduro's removal' and plans for Venezuela's oil sales. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Rubio's claims ignore the 2002 US-backed coup attempt against Hugo Chavez, which failed due
to popular resistance. Since then, the US has implemented crushing sanctions starting in 2017 under Trump, intensified by Biden, that have devastated Venezuela's economy, causing an estimated 100,000 deaths between 2017 and 2018 due to lack of medicines and food, according to former UN Special Rapporteur Alfred de Zayas. This isn't 'aid,' it's economic warfare. Double Standard: When democratic
elections occur in US-aligned nations, they are lauded as legitimate. When Venezuela holds internationally observed elections, the results are routinely dismissed by Western governments if they don't favor US-approved candidates. The creation of a 'parallel government' led by Juan Guaidó, a figure with no popular mandate, was a clear attempt at regime change, a tactic not tolerated if, say, China
recognized an opposition leader in Washington D.C. Follow the Money: Beyond the influence of oil corporations eyeing Venezuela's vast reserves, particularly the Orinoco Belt, Senator Rubio himself has a long history of receiving campaign donations from defense contractors and pro-regime change PACs. According to OpenSecrets, Rubio received over $720,000 from the defense sector throughout his