Venezuela's 'Opening' to Private Oil: Another Imperialist Loophole
📰 THE STORY: Deutsche Welle reports that Venezuela is opening its nationalized oil sector to private and joint ventures for the first time in 15 years, seeking to boost production amidst ongoing economic challenges. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: This 'opening' comes directly after over two decades of US-led destabilization efforts and crushing sanctions. In 2002, the US
backed a failed coup attempt against then-President Hugo Chávez, followed by a relentless campaign targeting Venezuela's oil industry, including sanctions that began in earnest under Obama in 2015 and were drastically expanded under Trump. These sanctions, documented by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, caused an estimated 40,000 deaths between 2017-2018 alone by severely limiting
access to vital medicine and food. The current 'opening' is a direct consequence of this economic warfare, forcing the state to cede control to attract capital it was deliberately prevented from accessing. Double Standard: Western media routinely celebrates this kind of 'liberalization' in resource-rich nations as a sign of economic progress or capitulation. Yet, when nations like Bolivia
nationalize their lithium—as Evo Morales did in 2008 and 2019—to prevent foreign exploitation and ensure national benefit, the same outlets often frame it as 'anti-market' or 'populist,' often preceding US-backed coups, as seen in Bolivia in 2019. The 'free market' is only 'free' when Western corporations are at the helm. Follow the Money: The primary beneficiaries of this 'opening' will be the