The Vicious Cycle Trump May Restart
The American seizure of Venezuelan oil is likely the first step in a familiar, unhappy chain of events.
TL;DR
- Major General Smedley Butler, a decorated Marine, later criticized U.S. interventions as "muscle for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the bankers."
- The Trump administration's seizure of Venezuelan oil is compared to past imperialistic actions, with potential to reignite anti-Americanism and future conflict.
- The current arrangement involves Venezuelan oligarch Alejandro Betancourt López and Chevron, with little clear benefit for ordinary Americans.
- Venezuela's history with oil includes nationalization and expropriation, with Hugo Chávez using "Gringos go home!" as a slogan.
- The article suggests that Trump's actions may lead to future Venezuelan politicians railing against foreign oil interests and potentially nationalizing assets again.
- Anti-interventionism had become popular among Republicans, but Trump's actions in Venezuela contradict this stance.