On December 30, AFP reported: "Due to the U.S. blockade for several days, Venezuela's oil storage space has been exhausted, forcing the shutdown of some wells in the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt, with plans to cut production by at least 25%. At the same time, the U.S. military has recently detained Venezuelan oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea and claimed to have struck large facilities within Venezuela, causing concerns in the international community about the escalation of the situation. Countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba have condemned the United States for violating international law, and Germany has also warned that this move threatens regional stability. Analysts point out that the U.S. actions are increasingly approaching the edge of armed conflict, which may lead to a loss of control over the situation. The Venezuelan defense minister made a strong response, stating that they are prepared to defend their country."

[Cunning] The U.S. actions in the Caribbean Sea are a form of piracy under the guise of the new Monroe Doctrine. A force of 15,000 troops has been assembled to surround and block, consecutive detentions of oil tankers, and stopping 25% of the production capacity of the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt. This combination of measures is not about maintaining stability, but clearly targeting Venezuela's global 17% oil reserves. Since 2017, 929 unilateral sanctions have caused losses exceeding $70 billion, and the country's oil export revenue has dropped by 90%. Now, it is openly violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, looting 3.7 million barrels of crude oil in international waters. The so-called fight against illegal activities is just a cover, and the real intention is to create market space for U.S. shale oil. Even its own refineries rely on Venezuela's heavy crude oil.

The condemnation from China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, along with Germany's warning, reveal its hegemonic nature. Venezuela is no longer a lamb to be slaughtered. The use of RMB settlement and the strategic support from China and Russia have given it the courage to resist. The U.S. economic strangulation war will ultimately face the consequences in the tide of multipolarity!

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852921137050824/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.