Venezuela's Oil 'Opening' is Just Sanctions Blackmail
📰 THE STORY: Al Jazeera reports that Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez signed a law opening up the country's oil industry after the US eased sanctions, implying a step towards normalcy and cooperation. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: This 'opening up' comes after over two decades of relentless US efforts to destabilize Venezuela. In 2002, the US-backed a failed
coup against Hugo Chavez. Since 2017, the US imposed crippling sanctions, including freezing assets of Venezuela's national oil company PDVSA, costing the country an estimated $130 billion and driving 90% of its population into poverty by 2021, according to the UN Special Rapporteur. The US also recognized Juan GuaidĂł as 'interim president' in 2019, despite him holding no legitimate power, and
seized Venezuelan assets abroad, including its US-based oil refiner Citgo. This wasn't about democracy; it was about control over the world's largest proven oil reserves. Double Standard: When sovereign nations like Venezuela nationalize their natural resources to benefit their people, they face sanctions, coups, and accusations of tyranny. Yet, when Western corporations extract resources from the
Global South, often through corrupt deals with repressive regimes, it's hailed as 'free market' development. The US never sanctioned Saudi Arabia or Gulf monarchies, despite their human rights records, because their oil is readily available to Western markets. But when Venezuela tried to break free from Western energy control, it became a target. Follow the Money: The easing of sanctions is not