US Seizes Tankers, Then Expects Venezuela to Negotiate Nicely
DW breathlessly reports that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is 'open' to an oil deal, a diplomatic olive branch. This comes directly after the US, which slapped sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector years ago, decided to seize two tankers carrying Venezuelan crude. The US justifies these seizures as enforcement of its own sanctions, which it unilaterally imposed. One might wonder if this
'openness' from Venezuela is less about cooperation and more about economic survival under duress. This isn't negotiation; it's international strong-arming. The US, with its long history of intervention in Latin America—from supporting coups to economic blockades—operates on the principle that its national interests supersede another sovereign nation's right to its own resources. The media
conveniently frames this as Venezuela being 'open' to US terms, rather than acknowledging classic gunboat diplomacy in a new package. It appears Washington still believes the best way to cut a deal is to first take your counterpart's assets.