this ties into the theory that we invaded iraq because of saddam’s decision to price oil in euros. as it is, bush already backed a coup to oust chavez, so this new theory could most certainly be plausible.
where to start… well, opposite of how bush invaded iraq and summarily tore up its existing oil contracts and doled them out to u.s. corporations, venezuela has been actively forming new partnerships with countries like
russia and
china. meanwhile, they’ve been dragging their feet in the dirt when it comes to renewing contracts with
u.s. oil companies.
the people of Venezuela have definitely benefited from high oil prices here. it’s estimated that for every $1 increase in the price of one barrel of oil, venezuela realizes $100 billion in additional revenues. with all of this money, chavez has given his people universal healthcare. deals made with china will naturally include increased exports to china – as it has recently become the world’s #2 consumer of oil and long-term projections show that it will eventually become the #1 consumer. what this means is that exports diverted away from the u.s. will cause our
oil prices to increase even more.
we’ve already thwarted china’s quest for reliable oil supplies in afghanistan and iraq. we have our sights focused on iran, another key supplier for china. how about venezuela, where bush has already tried to stage a kissinger-esqe coup?
big momma rice has come out giving strong
condemnation of Venezuela while women are beheaded in public in the land of bush’s friends, Saudi Arabia - and she doesn't say anything!
one last article that summarizes the issue nicely (if you didn’t feel like reading all the other ones above):
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/02/07/Bu...l_artery.shtml
so, anyone here care to speculate what bush's foreign policy with respect to venezuela might be? boy, pissing off the whole world really works wonders for our country!