A Resurgence of Imperialism: US Energy Policy and the Pursuit of Venezuelan Oil
The United States’ recent military operation targeting the Venezuelan government, aimed at the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, can be interpreted as a deliberate effort to reassert American energy dominance. This initiative aligns with a broader ideological framework that views Latin America as a sphere of influence, where international law is selectively applied to serve current US administration objectives. This approach echoes the historical “Monroe Doctrine” of 1823, though in a contemporary iteration that embraces a more assertive, and arguably imperialistic, pursuit of control over natural resources, extending from Venezuela to Greenland.
However, the strategic rationale behind this forceful intervention remains unclear. Beyond the immediate goal of securing Venezuelan oil supplies, the operation lacks a comprehensive plan for long-term engagement. In the 21st century, influence and power are increasingly determined by factors distinct from those prevalent in the 19th and 20th centuries. The current US energy policy, rooted in the interests of fossil fuel companies that have historically funded political campaigns, is ill-suited to this evolving landscape.
Historically, spheres of influence were largely defined by territorial control. In today’s interconnected world, influence is increasingly projected through digital means, shaping narratives and ideologies that reach global populations. Economically, the future of wealth and power will be driven by emerging technologies and critical raw materials, rather than traditional energy resources like oil and coal. China’s aggressive pursuit of dominance in these sectors, through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green technologies, coupled with tight control over supply chains, presents a significant challenge to the United States’ ambitions. As the global transition to technologies like heat pumps and electric vehicles gains momentum, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the question arises: what specific strategic imperative compels the US to prioritize Venezuelan oil?
The Trump administration’s energy agenda is characterized by a determined effort to dictate global energy policy. This has manifested in attempts to undermine international consensus on the transition away from plastics, which are derived from petroleum. Furthermore, the administration has employed pressure tactics to obstruct progress on reducing and pricing emissions in the framework of the International Maritime Organization’s net-zero framework negotiations. The US has also withdrawn from key international agreements, including the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Reports indicate efforts to suppress and even destroy US data documenting environmental changes, suggesting an authoritarian inclination to conceal the negative consequences of oil and gas consumption. However, recent data from the European Copernicus program confirms that global warming has exceeded the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold for three consecutive years (2023-2025). The remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to manageable levels is rapidly diminishing. Increased oil production from Venezuela could accelerate the planet’s trajectory towards dangerous climate tipping points.
Venezuela possesses vast, largely untapped oil reserves. Years of mismanagement under Maduro’s leadership, compounded by US sanctions, have led to the abandonment of much of the country’s oil infrastructure. The environmental consequences of existing drilling operations in regions like the Orinoco Belt and Lake Maracaibo are already severe. Regardless of the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy due to the escalating climate crisis, the industrial and technological transformation is irreversible. Clean technologies offer numerous benefits, including efficiency gains, cost reductions, and increased autonomy. The inevitable adoption of these technologies, even without global consensus on emissions reductions, poses a significant challenge to the continued dominance of fossil fuels. European policymakers and business leaders who are now using the US return to fossil fuels as justification for weakening their own climate and energy goals should carefully consider the potential repercussions. The United States may be embarking on a battle that is ultimately unwinnable.
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