US military action against Venezuela will determine whether South America's vast mineral wealth is used to drive a 21st-century energy transition or build up military power to defend 20th-century fossil fuel interests.
The US has launched its first overt attack on an Amazon nation, targeting the government of Nicolás Maduro in what is perceived as part of an extractivist rivalry with China. The ramifications are far-reaching and not limited to Venezuela's oil reserves. This move sends a message to neighboring leaders that South America is under Washington's thrall.
The US has long been interested in securing access to critical minerals, such as lithium, which is essential for electric car batteries. Brazil is thought to have the world's second biggest deposits of these minerals and already leads production of niobium, needed for high-grade steel. Bolivia has the largest known deposits of lithium, while Chile, Peru, and Colombia are also believed to have significant reserves.
China currently dominates South America in terms of investment in processing facilities and transport infrastructure, largely due to lower tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on US goods. The US is now trying to reverse this situation with military force and interference in domestic politics.
The governments of Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, and Cuba have condemned the US actions as a challenge to regional stability, while several leaders are mobilizing armed forces along their borders with Venezuela.
Colombia's president has vowed to take up arms if threats intensify, particularly after President Trump accused Maduro of making cocaine and selling it to the US. The Colombian leader is facing re-election this year.
Brazil's left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also faced backlash from the Trump administration last year when he criticized the US for behaving like an emperor. This led to a 50% increase in US tariffs on Brazilian goods, but ultimately boosted Lula's popularity rating.
The US is now prioritizing domestic interests over global cooperation on climate and nature crises, opting instead to push South America into opening its oil spigots wider and securing rare earths and other resources for strengthening the world's largest military. This approach may not achieve its goals, as many leaders in the region are likely to resist being turned into a pantry, mineral deposit, and fuel tank.
The US strategy document emphasizes the need for "God-given natural rights" of its citizens, which may be appealing to some but is seen by others as a doomsday bunker mentality that would harm democracy, people, and the environment.
The US has launched its first overt attack on an Amazon nation, targeting the government of Nicolás Maduro in what is perceived as part of an extractivist rivalry with China. The ramifications are far-reaching and not limited to Venezuela's oil reserves. This move sends a message to neighboring leaders that South America is under Washington's thrall.
The US has long been interested in securing access to critical minerals, such as lithium, which is essential for electric car batteries. Brazil is thought to have the world's second biggest deposits of these minerals and already leads production of niobium, needed for high-grade steel. Bolivia has the largest known deposits of lithium, while Chile, Peru, and Colombia are also believed to have significant reserves.
China currently dominates South America in terms of investment in processing facilities and transport infrastructure, largely due to lower tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on US goods. The US is now trying to reverse this situation with military force and interference in domestic politics.
The governments of Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, and Cuba have condemned the US actions as a challenge to regional stability, while several leaders are mobilizing armed forces along their borders with Venezuela.
Colombia's president has vowed to take up arms if threats intensify, particularly after President Trump accused Maduro of making cocaine and selling it to the US. The Colombian leader is facing re-election this year.
Brazil's left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also faced backlash from the Trump administration last year when he criticized the US for behaving like an emperor. This led to a 50% increase in US tariffs on Brazilian goods, but ultimately boosted Lula's popularity rating.
The US is now prioritizing domestic interests over global cooperation on climate and nature crises, opting instead to push South America into opening its oil spigots wider and securing rare earths and other resources for strengthening the world's largest military. This approach may not achieve its goals, as many leaders in the region are likely to resist being turned into a pantry, mineral deposit, and fuel tank.
The US strategy document emphasizes the need for "God-given natural rights" of its citizens, which may be appealing to some but is seen by others as a doomsday bunker mentality that would harm democracy, people, and the environment.
this us move in venezuela is like, super concerning 
they're basically trying to control south america's mineral wealth 
for their own energy interests 
not thinking about the bigger pic 
like climate change 
and global cooperation 
it's all about protecting their fossil fuel profits 
not doing what's best for the planet or its people 
meanwhile, china is over here building infrastructure and investing in sustainable energy 
and we're left to deal with this extractivist rivalry 
brazil and bolivia are already waking up to the us tactics 
️️ and colombia's president is like "peace out" 
no more threats from trump 
.
. They shouldn't let the US bully them into doing what they want 
.
This whole thing feels super weird... like they're trying to force everyone to play their game instead of working together on the big issues we need to solve - climate change and stuff. I mean, what's with all the emphasis on extracting minerals and oil? Can't we just focus on making sustainable energy already?
As an aside, I've been following Brazil and Colombia's reactions to this, and it's clear they're not having it. Lula's popularity ratings just went through the roof after that US tariff nonsense... but can we please focus on climate change instead of resource extraction? 
.
. The US should be prioritizing global cooperation over domestic interests. This approach might just lead to a whole lotta pushback from the international community and ultimately harm the very people they're supposed to be protecting 
.
.
. Newsflash: we're not your colonies anymore! 
We've got our own interests, our own economies, and our own people to protect.
. It's like they're trying to own up all South America's mineral wealth to fuel their own 21st-century energy needs without considering the long-term effects on the region or the planet. I mean, what's next? They'll just keep on taking and taking until everyone else is left with nothing?
. But instead of playing nice, the US is resorting to military force and interference in domestic politics. That's not how you build trust or achieve global cooperation on climate change issues.
. It's not just about politics; it's about our collective future 
. I hope world leaders can come together and find a better way forward, one that doesn't put profit over people or the planet 
.
. We need to teach our kids that they can make a difference when they grow up and become leaders themselves 
. can't they see that investing in renewable energy is the future? 
.
... whats next? is america gonna start a war with Venezuela too? and what about Brazil and Chile and Peru and all the other countries in South America? wont they just sit there and watch as their own interests are disregarded? 
. This whole situation is all about control and power, you feel? Like, what's next? The US trying to dominate South America's mineral resources like it owns the place? 
It's like the US is all about prioritizing its own interests over cooperation and progress 
. We need to be careful not to let our leaders get caught up in this kind of thinking, you know? 
. I think it's essential to acknowledge that China has been making significant investments in processing facilities and transport infrastructure in South America, but this move by the US could create a new era of great power competition 
. Like, what even is the goal here? Is it just gonna be a huge power struggle over fossil fuels and rare earths? 
. Like, what's next? They'll just take over all our countries and exploit our resources for their own gain 
️. It's about the long-term impact on the planet 
.