Donald Trump’s military buildup and threats fail miserably as Maduro emerges stronger; But why is there hostility between US and Venezuela?

New Delhi: The extent of the US-Venezuela rivalry can be gauged from Trump’s appeal to close the airspace to the enemy country. Previously, Trump had imposed sanctions on the country. He doubled the bounty on President Maduro after accusing him of drug trafficking. He has threatened to overthrow the government and made every effort to control the oil industry. Despite this, Venezuela is ready to fight back. Find out the reason for the animosity between the two countries.

US-Venezuela relations

Relations between the US and Venezuela have long been tense. US President Doland Trump has long accused Venezuela of drug trafficking. However, President Nicolas Maduro has consistently denied the allegations. Trump has dispatched warships several times to monitor and take action against Venezuela and even attempted to monitor it from the air. There was talk that a war could break out between the two countries. Now, Trump has called for the closure of Venezuela’s airspace, which Venezuela has described as a colonial threat. Meanwhile, the two leaders have held talks. However, Trump has refused to disclose what transpired.

The USA-Venezuela animosity dates back not only to the Maduro era. From former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to current President Nicolas Maduro, prominent Venezuelan leaders view the US as an imperialist power.

US imposed sanctions

Venezuela has never extended a hand of friendship to the US, nor has it bowed to its leaders. The extent of the tension between the two countries can be gauged by the fact that Trump imposed numerous economic sanctions on Venezuela during his first term as president. To pressure Maduro, he imposed sanctions on the country’s backbone, the oil industry.

Despite this, Venezuela stood tall against the United States. When Trump became displeased, he threatened to seize Venezuela and overthrow the regime. Even then, Venezuela did not bow to the United States.

Venezuela called a drug trafficker

The United States has consistently accused Venezuela of drug trafficking. The Trump administration, calling President Maduro the world’s biggest drug trafficker, initially offered a bounty of $25 million (Rs 217 crore), which it increased to $50 million (Rs 435 crore). A New York court filed a case against Maduro in 2020 on charges of cocaine trafficking and narcoterrorism. The Trump administration alleged that Maduro, in collaboration with Venezuelan drug cartels, supplies cocaine to the United States. Maduro warned Trump, “If he has the courage, he should catch him.”

Failed to control Venezuelan oil

Interestingly, the US has been purchasing oil from the same Venezuelan oil industry that the US has sanctioned. However, in March of this year, Trump announced that he would impose a 25% tariff on any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela. Through this strategy, Trump attempted to control Venezuela’s oil industry but failed. This is one reason for Trump’s irritation.

Border tension

Venezuela’s location is also a reason for Trump’s irritation. Its northern border meets the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This border is home to numerous small islands. This area controls maritime trade routes in the Caribbean region and important sea routes for oil exports. This is the reason why America wants Venezuela to remain under its control, but the US has failed every time.