Anatoly Kurmanaev

can control the supply of oil, can control the global oil prices, and can reward its allies and punish its adversaries by manipulating the oil market.

Absolutely, geopolitical benefit.

And there's a bigger, more fundamental benefit for the United States.

Control of the world's largest oil reserves would mean

allow the United States to follow through of its plan of becoming the dominant player in the Americas, of expelling its adversaries China, Russia, and Iran from the region, and dominating the country's political and economic environment.

So far, we're standing on the sidelines.

Of course, China has just sealed a major trade deal with the United States, which is crucial to its economy.

And it's been very careful about what fights it picks with the United States.

We have seen the seizure of Chinese property in the actions taken against tankers China has issued recently.

a statement condemning these seizures, but has not taken any further action.

Russia as well has made some gestures of verbal support, but has not moved beyond that.

We have not seen Maduro's allies come to its aid in any meaningful way.

We have basically seen America's adversary acknowledging Latin America as a sphere of American influence.

Part of it is a position of relative weakness.

They are preoccupied elsewhere.

Of course, Russia is fighting a massive war in Ukraine.

China is dealing with economic slowdown.

They have bigger fish to fry.

But Trump's actions also fit into this country's fundamental worldview, which basically sees world powers, regional powers, having the right to dominate their neighbors.

And for Russia, the loss of Maduro is an acceptable cause for American acknowledgement that it has rights to defend its interest in Eastern Europe.