Venezuela: China, Russia, Oil and the Threat to U.S. National Security, by Ken Blackwell/Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin

The thought of the world’s largest supply of recoverable oil falling into the hands of Russia and China is not a far flung idea. And with that, a fleet of warships docked on the coast of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, positioned to threaten the American national security. If America eventually surrenders its influence in Venezuela, this scenario could become reality.

As of now, Nicolas Maduro is the ruthless socialist dictator of a crumbling Venezuela. Desperate to maintain his grip on power, it is very likely he will cede control of Venezuela’s oil industry to the Russians and Chinese in exchange for the two countries doubling down on financially backing his country’s collapsing economy and his withering dictatorship.

President  Trump has taken the right approach by enacting tough sanctions on the illegitimate Maduro government and has correctly thrown his administration’s support behind the opposition party leader, Juan Gauido. But improving the situation for the people of Venezuela is slow-going.  ….