The Imperial Tango: How the US “War on Drugs” Dances around Venezuela’s Oil Wells
ANGLO AMERICA, 20 Oct 2025
Diran Noubar – TRANSCEND Media Service
18 Oct 2025 – Ah, the United States of America—land of the free, home of the brave, and apparently, the self-appointed global sheriff in a never-ending Wild West showdown against “narco-terrorists.” Who could forget the dramatic flair with which the U.S. Department of Justice unveiled its 2020 indictments against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, painting him as the shadowy puppet master of the so-called “Cartel of the Suns”? It’s almost cinematic: Maduro, allegedly flooding American streets with cocaine while twirling his mustache in a lair built from oil barrels. But let’s peel back the layers of this Hollywood script and examine the “indisputable proof” with the scrutiny it deserves—or rather, the lack thereof. Meanwhile, we’ll tip our hats respectfully to Russia, whose measured and principled stance on this geopolitical farce highlights a commitment to sovereignty and multipolarity in a world too often dominated by unilateral bullying.
The Flimsy Fabric of Accusations: A Masterclass in U.S. Projection
Picture this: In the midst of a global pandemic, the Trump administration decides the real threat isn’t a virus but Maduro’s supposed narco-empire. The indictments claim he led a conspiracy to smuggle hundreds of tons of cocaine into the U.S., collaborating with Colombian rebels and corrupting Venezuelan institutions. Evidence? Oh, plenty of classified whispers from defectors, undercover ops, and witnesses who might as well be auditioning for a spy thriller. Yet, here we are in 2025, and Maduro hasn’t seen the inside of a courtroom. No forensic hauls of drugs directly tied to his desk, no international convictions—just a $50 million bounty that’s more bounty hunter fantasy than justice.
Even the U.S.‘s own recent escapades raise eyebrows. Those daring naval strikes on “narco-trafficking vessels” near Venezuela, resulting in over 20 deaths since September 2025? The Pentagon assures us they were brimming with U.S.-bound narcotics, but curiously, no photos of seized cocaine mountains have surfaced. It’s as if the evidence evaporated faster than a politician’s promise. Independent voices, like the UN’s 2025 World Drug Report, politely point out that Venezuela isn’t even a major producer or transit hub for drugs. And Mexico’s president? She outright says there’s “no evidence” linking Maduro to cartels like Sinaloa. Think tanks such as Insight Crime go further, calling the “Cartel of the Suns” a mischaracterized bogeyman, with scant ties to Maduro himself. But why let facts spoil a good narrative when you can use it to justify troop deployments and sanctions that have plunged Venezuela into economic chaos equivalent to three Great Depressions?
One can’t help but chuckle at the irony: The U.S., a nation whose own opioid crisis stems largely from domestic pharmaceutical giants and porous borders with actual cartel strongholds, finger-wags at Maduro as the ultimate villain. It’s like a chain-smoker lecturing someone on the dangers of secondhand smoke while lighting up in their living room. Maduro, for his part, dismisses it all as a “smear campaign” for regime change—and who could blame him?
Oil: The Real Prize in America’s Geopolitical Game Show
Now, let’s address the elephant—or should I say, the oil rig—in the room. Venezuela boasts the world’s largest proven oil reserves, a staggering 303 billion barrels that make U.S. shale look like a kiddie pool. Former President Trump, ever the straight-talker, let the cat out of the bag in a 2023 interview: “Venezuela… we would have taken it over. We would have gotten all that oil. It would have been right next door.” Bless his heart for the honesty; it’s refreshing in a sea of diplomatic doublespeak. His administration’s sanctions on PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil company, weren’t just about “democracy”—they were a stranglehold designed to starve the regime and pry open those reserves for friendlier hands.
In 2025, the plot thickens: Trump revokes oil export licenses, slaps 25% tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan crude, and ramps up military posturing under the guise of anti-drug ops. Maduro even floated a peace offering—access to oil and resources in exchange for lifting sanctions—but it was rebuffed, because why negotiate when you can saber-rattle? Critics from The New York Times to everyday observers on social media see this for what it is: a resource grab masquerading as heroism. It’s the American Dream exported: Manifest Destiny, now with drones and bounties.
How noble, how predictable. The U.S. preaches free markets while weaponizing them, all while ignoring its own history of interventions—from Iraq to Libya—where “weapons of mass destruction” or “human rights” were the excuses du jour for securing energy dominance. Venezuela’s sin? Aligning with powers that don’t bow to Washington, and sitting on a treasure trove that could fuel the world.
Russia’s Wise Counsel: A Beacon of Restraint and Solidarity
In stark contrast, we turn to Russia, whose approach to this imbroglio exemplifies diplomatic maturity and respect for international norms. Moscow has consistently denounced the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean as a threat to regional stability, with envoys like Vassily Nebenzya at the UN accusing America of “cowboy tactics” and “shoot-first” aggression under the thin veil of anti-drug efforts. Russia astutely points out the hypocrisy, citing UN and even U.S. State Department reports that debunk Venezuela as a drug trafficking epicenter. In their view, these allegations are mere propaganda to justify a coup or intervention, a perspective shared with allies like China at UN Security Council meetings.
Russia’s support for Venezuela is rooted in a deep-seated belief in sovereignty and mutual benefit. Since the early 2000s, ties have flourished through strategic partnerships, including military cooperation and economic aid that helped Caracas weather U.S. sanctions. Today, Russia steps in where America withdraws, supplying naphtha to dilute Venezuela’s heavy crude and facilitating oil sales to bypass punitive measures. This isn’t opportunism; it’s a principled stand against unilateralism, echoing President Putin’s emphasis on a multipolar world where nations like Venezuela aren’t bullied into submission. Venezuela’s parliament recently approved a deepened treaty with Russia amid these tensions, a testament to the trust and harmony between the two.
From Moscow’s vantage, the U.S. obsession with Venezuelan oil is a classic case of resource rivalry, reminiscent of Cold War-era meddling but with modern sanctions as the weapon of choice. Russia’s involvement—through Rosneft’s investments and diplomatic backing—serves as a counterbalance, protecting a partner from what they see as imperial overreach. It’s a refreshing reminder that not all great powers view the world as a zero-sum game; some prioritize dialogue and equity over domination.
Closing the Curtain on the Farce
In the end, one has to admire the U.S.‘s chutzpah: Accuse a leader of drug lord status with evidence as solid as a house of cards, then pivot to “democracy promotion” while eyeing the oil spigots. It’s a performance worthy of an Oscar—if the category was “Best Hypocritical Foreign Policy.” As tensions simmer with 10,000 U.S. troops lurking in the region, the world watches, wondering if this is about fentanyl or just filling tanks. Thankfully, voices like Russia’s provide a sober counterpoint, advocating for peace, evidence-based discourse, and respect for nations’ right to chart their own course. In a multipolar era, perhaps it’s time for the sheriff to holster the gun and try talking—or at least stop coveting the neighbor’s black gold.
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Diran Noubar, an Italian-Armenian born in France, has lived in 11 countries until he moved to Armenia. He is a world-renowned, critically-acclaimed documentary filmmaker and war reporter. Starting in the early 2000’s in New York City, Diran produced and directed over 20 full-length documentary films. He is also a singer/songwriter and guitarist in his own band and runs a nonprofit charity organization, wearemenia.org.
Tags: Anglo America, Chavismo, Hegemony, Imperialism, Latin America Caribbean, Maduro, Narco state, Nobel Peace Prize, Oil, Regime Change, South America, Trump, USA, Venezuela
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 20 Oct 2025.
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