Gangsters in Suits: The Bipartisan Heist of Venezuela's Oil Wealth

You know, it's always seemed to be about the oil. You've heard all the chatter about the United States calling Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro illegitimate, right? Between you and me, it feels like a crafty move to get control over Venezuela's oil company, CITGO.

Think about it. For years, the U.S. has been painting Maduro and his government as the bad guys. Remember that "interim president" who was shaking hands with Congress and U.S. allies everywhere? And don't get me started on how the media were singing the same tune. It's like something out of a gangster movie, only the crooks are the politicians.

It's not like this came out of nowhere, either. Obama got the ball rolling with sanctions, then handed the baton to Trump. Now, Trump's not exactly everyone's favorite guy in the world, but he sure was vocal about wanting Venezuela's oil. He got his wish, and now Biden's carrying on the tradition, wearing the ring leader's crown.

A while back, I read about a columnist who got a front-row seat at the International People's Tribunal on U.S Sanctions hearing in Venezuela. From the way they described it, it was eye-opening to see how far the U.S. would go to get what it wanted. They weren't just playing hardball; they were playing dirty.

You've heard about sanctions, right? It's like a modern form of piracy. They're hitting more than 40 countries, affecting nearly a third of the world's population. It's like strong-arming countries to do what the U.S. wants or else.

And the irony? Before all this, Venezuela was sharing the wealth. Neighbors in the Caribbean were getting a sweet deal on oil, and even low-income Americans were benefiting. They provided free oil to 200,000 homes every winter through a non-profit. Can you believe that?

Of course, Uncle Sam wasn't too happy about that. An oil-rich nation being generous? That's like a thorn in the side of those wanting to control and dominate.

But here's where it gets real messy. CITGO's going to be auctioned off soon, on October 22, 2023. Big companies like Crystallex and Conoco-Phillips are already lining up to get their piece of the pie.

That's not all. Sanctions are like a wrecking ball to a government's foundation. Venezuela used to provide free health care, even had a children's hospital in Caracas. Now, thanks to sanctions, they're struggling to perform surgeries with the right equipment.

And don't think Venezuela is alone in this. Other nations are getting the cold shoulder too, all because they dare to stand up to U.S. control. More sanctions are coming, and regime change is still on the table.

So, what's the game plan? How do we stop this auction and raise awareness about these actions? The world's starting to push back, but the U.S. isn't letting go of its power, using its military bases and dollar domination.

Venezuela's been resisting for a long time, but it's a hard fight. Maybe it's time we pay attention and find our way to resist too. What do you think?