US Sanctions: Only for Countries Without Oil, Apparently
Bloomberg’s recent exposé details how 'more than a dozen tankers' continue to load Venezuelan crude despite Washington’s stringent sanctions. The article bemoans the apparent failure of US policy to 'curb Caracas’ crude revenue by targeting vessels.' One might wonder if the real objective was ever to stop the oil flow, or merely to ensure it flows into the 'right' hands. This isn't rocket science;
it's a predictable outcome when the 'rules-based order' selectively applies rules. The US has a long, documented history of using sanctions as leverage, not just punishment, often leading to shadow markets. When Washington claims 'sanctions evasion,' it often means 'the target found other buyers.' Perhaps next, Bloomberg will discover that sovereign nations with desirable resources tend to keep
selling them, regardless of who Washington frowns upon.