Pressure points, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Donald Trump declared that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela, endorsing Acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
• The U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Venezuela, and the previous head of state was abducted.
• Venezuela's government, weakened by a decade of sanctions, is negotiating with the U.S.
• Delcy Rodriguez stated, “Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela”.

Detailed Insights:

• The U.S. aims to control Venezuela's oil without the costs of occupation or regime change, learning from the Iraq War.
• The U.S. seeks to capture the existing state apparatus and redirect its functions, a form of neocolonialism.
• Venezuela's government is pressured to comply with U.S. demands on oil trade and release political prisoners.
• Excessive pressure from the U.S. risks instability in Venezuela, contrary to the stated goal of preventing it.
• Sanctions devastated Venezuela’s economy and led to a migration crisis, which the U.S. uses to justify intervention.
• The U.S. offers to ease pressure only if Venezuela submits to exclusive American control over its resources.
• The situation is viewed as extortion, threatening the foundations of the international order and the safety of nations in the Global South.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.
• Neocolonialism: The use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or influence other countries, especially former dependencies.
• Sovereignty: The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.