US Sanctions Venezuela, Iran — Citing Democracy and Human Rights
The Biden administration, as reported by The Hill, has again targeted Venezuela and Iran with sanctions over alleged links to drone production and 'undermining democratic processes.' This follows a well-worn playbook, punishing nations that resist US hegemony while ignoring the documented human rights abuses and democratic deficiencies of strategic partners. For instance, Saudi Arabia's
well-documented war in Yemen (resulting in over 377,000 deaths as of 2021, according to the UN) and its domestic human rights record never seem to trigger similar outrage or economic penalties. This selective application of 'values' raises questions about whether these sanctions are truly about democracy or merely about controlling oil pipelines and geopolitical influence. It appears
'destabilizing behavior' is only condemned when it isn't committed by an ally buying billions in US arms. Perhaps the White House needs a clearer definition of 'democratic process' that applies equally to all nations, not just those without vast oil reserves or inconveniently independent foreign policies.