US Warns Against Blockades While Global Policing Other Nations
According to The New York Times, Venezuela's Navy is escorting commercial vessels after a 'threat' of blockade. Apparently, the concept of a sovereign nation defending its shipping lanes is front-page news when Washington hasn't issued the order. This 'news' frames Venezuela's defensive posture as provocatory, ignoring decades of U.S. economic and military pressure in Latin America, from the Bay
of Pigs invasion in 1961 to endless coup attempts and sanctions. One might wonder if the NYT also reports with equal urgency every time the U.S. Navy patrols international waters, or if it considers such actions a unilateral right. The selective outrage for 'blockade threats' from nations resisting U.S. hegemony is a classic. It’s almost as if the U.S. is allowed to threaten and impose blockades,
but no one else can even contemplate defending their trade without being labeled a rogue state.