Really? What has the USA done. It sounds like nonsense to me.

@doug6352 The U.S. conspired to lower oil prices and throw Venezuela into a recession. The U.S. has wanted regime change there since Hugo Chavez. The guy gave free heating oil to poor families in the Bronx. Capitalism vs "socialism". Chavez did too much for poor people, and he tried to nationalize the oil sector in Venezuela. Why is it so hard to believe that the U.S. tries to perpetrate coups against economic enemies? Chavez was at odds with ExxonMobil (Rex Tillerson). ExxonMobil supported Guyana in a border dispute against Venezuela because there is a huge basin there filled with oil and natural gas. Marco Rubio even came out against Haiti, DR, and El Salvador for siding with Venezuela. Venezuela was one of the most oil rich nations in the world, and they spiraled into poverty so quickly. Take a look at all the governments that the U.S. is against in Latin countries. They are left and left center. It's like McCarthyism in the 50s all over again. Anything for the people is routinely called socialism and demonized. The U.S. is right wing. There is no more left wing in the U.S. At least not in positions of power and decision making. We live in the most capitalistic society in the history of mankind. Why do people still think the U.S. is a shining beacon of freedom and "free market" economics?

[nytimes.com]

[washingtonpost.com]

[huffingtonpost.com]

[theguardian.com]

[cepr.net]

[telesurtv.net]

There's a documentary called "South of the Border" by Oliver Stone that I haven't seen yet, but intend to check out. It touches on how despised these left leaning Latin governments are by the U.S.

[reuters.com]

I like how they turn a blind eye to some things, but if Venezuela rolls it's eyes, they want full fledged investigations.

@Piece2YourPuzzle So in your theory Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump are all in agreement to screw Venezuela, even if they can't agree on anything else. It doesn't seem too plausible to me.

@doug6352 It's not a theory. I don't believe all those presidents have differing foreign affairs agendas.

Where was everyone with all the "Venezuela's downfall is socialism" when Venezuela was booming under Chavez? His problem was just that he didn't try to diversify or build up Venezuela in any way other than with oil. Society in Venezuela saw a huge improvement under him. You can't put all your eggs in one basket though. Most property, GDP generation, and employment in Venezuela are PRIVATELY owned. So it's not even fully socialist. Chavez wanted it to be. So it's actually capitalism that people should be pissed about.

You mean like the NY Times? [nytimes.com]