The relationship between countries in the Global South and the United States can be likened to an abusive relationship, marked by manipulation, coercion, and aggression.
Many nations, particularly Venezuela, have found themselves resisting a cycle of domination that often leads to dire consequences.
The latent promise of a prosperous partnership often devolves into various stages of exploitation and control, as evidenced by recent US foreign policy approaches.
This dynamic has been particularly evident since the discovery of significant oil deposits in the disputed Essequibo region of Guyana, where Washington seemingly began grooming the region for exploitation.
Initially, the US lured these countries with promises of support and development, yet this often transforms into coercive measures once local governments assert their sovereignty.
The case of Venezuela under Hugo Chávez illustrates this pattern vividly.
When Chávez rose to power in 1998 with a sovereign anti-imperialist agenda, he soon faced an offensive from the US, which viewed the oil nationalization that followed as a direct threat to its interests.
As the relationship soured, manipulation turned into more aggressive forms of interference and violence directed toward Caracas.
Some of the outlined tactics employed by the US against Venezuela include:
1) The US has actively lobbied governments and multinational organizations to adopt hostile positions toward Venezuela, accusing the government of human rights abuses.
This isolation extends into multilateral forums, where Washington has threatened sanctions and tariffs against countries engaging with Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.
2) The US has utilized local proxies in Venezuela to carry out coup endeavors, notably through the support of Juan Guaidó’s self-proclaimed interim government, in attempts to destabilize the elected government.
3) Economic sanctions, particularly against the oil industry, have been imposed since 2017, greatly exacerbating the economic crisis, leading to significant migration and suffering among Venezuelans.
According to various reports, these sanctions have directly contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands.
4) Threats of military action have also emerged from US officials, challenging Venezuela as it navigates claims to the oil-rich Essequibo region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has openly threatened military action against Venezuela, a stance reflecting Trump-era rhetoric that hinted at aggression.
The mainstream media has played a crucial role in enabling this cycle of abuse by promoting narratives that align with and often absolve the US government of its actions.
This has fostered a climate where the public remains largely unaware or misinformed about the realities of US-imposed sanctions and their consequences on the Venezuelan population.
Publications like The New York Times have a long history of promoting interventionist ideals, often advocating for military action or sanctions against nations classified as adversaries to US interests.
A recent example is an article by NYT columnist Bret Stephens that calls for the overthrow of Maduro, framing the proposal within a context of ‘coercive diplomacy’ or even military force if necessary.
Such proclamations paradoxically advocate for ‘democracy’ while disregarding the violent repercussions of such actions, revealing an imperialist mentality.
The article provides historical examples of US interventions, praising the 1989 invasion of Panama without addressing the subsequent loss of life and economic turmoil experienced by the country.
Instead, it draws dubious parallels between Venezuela and other nations targeted for intervention, claiming that military action would eradicate a ‘criminal regime’ while conveniently ignoring the lack of evidence for such allegations.
Accusations of drug trafficking against the Venezuelan government have been repeated without substantiation, aligning with a strategy historically employed by the US to justify interference.
Amidst the increasing migration crisis, the article shifts blame onto the Maduro administration while failing to acknowledge the devastating impact of US sanctions, which triggered widespread economic hardship.
Recent reports estimate that nearly eight million Venezuelans have fled since Maduro took power, a migration boom exacerbated by the sanctions beginning in 2017 that drained state revenues.
Many Venezuelans have sought refuge in the US, only to face further challenges and criminalization.
The tactics employed by media outlets, including DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender), distort narratives to shield the US from accountability for the created suffering.
Instead of addressing the realities, Stephens’s article shifts the discourse entirely by proposing military invasion as a potential solution.
Critics of such interventions emphasize that the US must first cease its damaging policies—lifting sanctions, halting support for violent coup attempts, and resisting calls for military action before any real relief can be provided.
As tensions continue to mount and economic challenges persist, Venezuela remains committed to its sovereign project, emphasizing that genuine empowerment and liberation belong to the people.
This resistance signifies a broader understanding among Global South countries that they cannot trust colonial powers historically motivated by exploitation.
The struggle of nations like Venezuela is not merely about surviving aggressive foreign policies but reclaiming their right to self-determination and developing their resources for the benefit of their citizens.
image source from：https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/04/11/stages-of-an-abusive-relationship-with-the-united-states/
