The U.S. is interested in Venezuelan oil, but that's not all. Tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. have been rising, and the recent seizure of a tanker filled with illegal oil by the U.S. government marks a significant escalation. This move, unprecedented in nature, highlights the growing standoff between the two nations. The U.S. has been taking a series of actions, including striking suspected drug boats, imposing new sanctions, and increasing its naval presence in the Caribbean, all aimed at Venezuela. The relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela has long been driven by economic and political interests, with the oil industry playing a pivotal role. Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin American Energy Program at the Baker Institute at Rice University, provides insight into how the two countries have reached this point. To listen to sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org. This episode was produced by Ava Berger and Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by Tiffany Vera Castro. It was edited by Sarah Handel. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
