When empire says “democracy,” it means Chevron. When it says “talks,” it means surrender.

Weaponized Information | April 9, 2025

In the grand chessboard of global hegemony, Venezuela finds itself once again at the mercy of imperial maneuverings. President Nicolás Maduro’s recent overtures toward resuming direct talks with the United States are less a diplomatic initiative and more a survival tactic in the face of relentless economic aggression. This move, ostensibly aimed at mitigating the devastating impact of U.S.-imposed sanctions, warrants a critical examination through the lens of imperialist crisis and recalibration, the Monroe Doctrine 2.0 under the technofascist Trump regime, and the broader context of the new Cold War against China, in which Venezuela plays a pivotal role.

The Genesis of Economic Strangulation: A Timeline of U.S. Sanctions

The United States’ economic offensive against Venezuela began not with bullets, but with banking sanctions. In 2015, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13692, absurdly declaring Venezuela an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security. That bureaucratic theater laid the foundation for a brutal sanctions regime that would only escalate in the years to follow. (Federal Register)

By 2019, Trump had escalated matters by blacklisting Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA—effectively cutting off 90% of the country’s export revenue. These sanctions didn’t “target the regime,” they dismantled the economy. As of 2023, Venezuela’s GDP had shrunk by over 70% from its 2013 levels. Millions fled the country, and malnutrition skyrocketed—all in the name of “democracy promotion.” (State Department)

The Carrot and Stick: Chevron’s License Revocation

The Trump 2.0 regime has reintroduced an old favorite: using Chevron as a pawn. In February 2025, the White House pulled Chevron’s limited license to export Venezuelan crude—citing Maduro’s supposed failure to hold “fair elections.” But this wasn’t about elections. It was about control. Chevron had been a conduit for minimal economic relief. Its removal signals an escalation in the U.S. effort to induce collapse. (Reuters)

Maduro’s Countermove: Tactical or Concessional?

Maduro’s willingness to re-engage in talks with the U.S. is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of exhaustion. The Venezuelan state has endured a decade of sabotage, and the population is paying the price. In a recent overture, Maduro agreed to explore new talks with Washington. But as history shows—from Haiti to Libya—negotiating with empire rarely ends in justice for the colonized. (Reuters)

The Chokepoint Strategy: Resource Control as Imperial Leverage

Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world. That alone guarantees it a starring role in U.S. foreign policy nightmares. The empire’s chokepoint strategy is clear: isolate key producers, seize or block supply chains, and monopolize pricing. Venezuela’s energy sovereignty is not just a national issue—it’s a global flashpoint. Sanctions here are not about “bad governance,” they’re about locking down control over the arteries of the global economy.

The Monroe Doctrine 2.0 Under Technofascist Rule

The Trump doctrine isn’t new. It’s a high-tech remix of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine: the hemisphere belongs to us. But this time, it’s not just Marines and coups—it’s algorithms, sanctions, cyber-warfare, and financial blockades. This is Monroe Doctrine 2.0, weaponized through the surveillance-industrial complex and justified through liberal and neofascist talking points alike.

Venezuela and the New Cold War Against China

At the heart of the matter is China. Venezuela has become a battleground in the U.S. campaign to contain China’s rise. With over $60 billion in oil-for-loans agreements and infrastructure investments between Caracas and Beijing since 2007, Venezuela is a strategic node in China’s Latin American expansion. Washington’s fear isn’t just socialism—it’s multipolarity. The empire cannot tolerate a hemisphere where Chinese capital, not Wall Street, holds the keys to development.

Conclusion: The Lines Remain Drawn

Let’s not pretend this is about “democracy” or “elections.” This is about power—imperial power—being recalibrated under crisis. The U.S. empire is in decline. It is cornered. And like any wounded beast, it lashes out. Venezuela is one front in this global war of containment, and the stakes could not be higher.

We at Weaponized Information stand with the people of Venezuela, with the Bolivarian revolution, and with all nations under siege for daring to defy empire. The lines are drawn. Not between democracy and dictatorship—but between the colonizer and the colonized. Between empire and humanity.

Our side is clear. And so is our task.