|  | (Source : Sadanews) |
| The relation between the U.S. and Venezuela has been tense for many years. It suffered from tensions around politics and economics. Plus, there has been many accusations of human rights abuses. | A history of cooperation and conflict | In the early 20th century, these states had a friendly relationship. Venezuela is rich in oil, and U.S. companies were involved in its oil industry. For many years, both countries benefited from this trade. But this changed in the late 1990s when Hugo Chávez became president. | He wanted to move Venezuela away from U.S. influence. He used oil profits to fund social programs for the poor. But he also increased the government's control over the economy. He often criticized the U.S. and the foreign policies in South America. As a result, the relations between the two states became strained. | U.S. concerns about democracy and human rights | One of the main reasons for the tension is the U.S. worries about democracy. Over the years, the government has been accused of hurting democratic institutions. It rigged elections, jailed opponents, and limited freedom of the press. | Chavez died and Maduro took power. Under Maduro, the state has faced a big economic crisis. Inflation has soared, food and medicine have become scarce, and millions left the country. The U.S. has said that Madure is to blame for the crisis. In response, the U.S. put economic sanctions on Venezuela. | Sanctions and their effects | The U.S. used sanctions as a tool to pressure the government. They targeted government leaders and agencies. But also, the oil industry. The goal was to force Maduro to allow free elections and bring democracy back. | But critics argue that this hurt ordinary citizens. The state's economy was in trouble. The sanctions made it even harder to recover. Many people believe that it worsened poverty. | The 2019 presidential crisis | This year the tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela reached a peak. The National Assembly stated that Maduro's re-election was not valid. They said the vote had not been fair or free. As a result, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president. | The U.S. and other states quickly recognized Guaidó as the official president. But Maduro, stayed in power with the support of the army and allies. These latter included Russia, China, and Iran. This led to a divided world. Some states supported Maduro, while others supported Guaidó. | Despite support from the U.S. and others, Guaidó was not able to take full control. Maduro stayed in power. The crisis continued. Guaidó lost some global support, and efforts to remove Maduro slowed down. | Oil, politics, and global influence | Oil is at the center of the conflict. Venezuela has some of the largest oil reserves in the world. For decades, it supplied oil to the U.S. But sanctions and political tension have disrupted this trade. The U.S. has tried to block Venezuela from selling oil, mostly to states that support Maduro. | At the same time, other powerful states have stepped in. Russia and China have invested money and resources in Venezuela. They have used the situation to increase their influence in the region and to challenge U.S. power. | This global involvement has made the conflict more difficult to solve. It is not just about two countries anymore. It is about different world powers trying to shape the future of this state and Latin America. | Latest developments | This year, the relation further worsened. The U.S. increased military activity in the south of the Caribbean. Warships, submarines, and marines were deployed. Trump says this is a campaign against drug‑trafficking linked to Venezuela. At the same time, Maduro responded by mobilizing militias. He declared readiness for "armed struggle" in defense of its sovereignty. He also accused the U.S. of seeking regime change. | The U.S. also carried out a series of strikes on suspected drug‑smuggling vessels off Venezuela's coast. This caused in dozens of deaths. It sparked sharp global criticism over legality and respect for Venezuela's territorial integrity. Venezuela has appealed to the UN to declare the U.S. actions illegal. But Washington continues to tighten sanctions and military pressure. | Decoding geopolitics isn't à job. It's survival. | Joy |
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