The US has a long history of influencing Venezuelan politics, particularly through its control over the country's vast oil wealth. After the US special forces' daring operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States would now 'run' Venezuela, including its abundant oil resources. This move marks a significant shift in the adversarial relationship between the two nations, which began nearly 30 years ago. The Trump administration's military action in Venezuela is unprecedented, but it is not surprising given the country's oil wealth and the historical tensions between the US and Venezuela under former President Hugo Chávez and Maduro. Venezuela, a republic with a population of around 30 million, has been a key player in the oil industry since the early 20th century. Foreign companies, including US-based ones, have invested heavily in the country's oil sector, but US opposition has led Venezuelan leaders to assert more control over their main export resource. This has fueled claims that Venezuela 'stole' US oil. Despite its oil wealth, Venezuela's economic prosperity has not translated to its citizens. Mismanagement of the oil industry led to a debt crisis and international intervention, sparking protests and a violent government response. Hugo Chávez, a former military officer, rose to power in the early 1990s, advocating for a socialist revolution. He was briefly ousted in a coup in 2002, but quickly regained power with the support of his followers. The US was accused of involvement in the coup, and questions about US involvement lingered. Maduro, Chávez's successor, faced continued US pressure and sanctions, with the US refusing to recognize his election wins. Maduro's government became heavily dependent on selling oil to China, and he claims to have thwarted coup attempts involving the US and domestic opposition. The US has denied involvement in these plots, and no evidence of US involvement in the 2020 failed coup has been found. The US's actions in Venezuela will likely continue as long as they have financial stakes in the country.
