The United States’ escalating actions against Venezuela have triggered growing alarm across the international community, not only because of their immediate humanitarian and economic consequences, but also because they revive a long and troubling history of unilateral intervention in Latin America. The seizure of a second Venezuelan oil tanker on December 20 marked a significant escalation, transforming what Washington frames as “law enforcement” into what many governments view as economic warfare. The response from Latin America, Europe, and even within the United States itself makes clear that Washington’s actions are isolating it diplomatically and morally.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s warning that a US military intervention in Venezuela would constitute a “humanitarian catastrophe for the hemisphere and a dangerous precedent for the world” captured the core concern shared by many countries. Far from rallying international support, Washington’s posture has prompted unease even among its traditional allies. Reports that the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands have paused or restricted intelligence-sharing related to the region underscore how controversial US actions have become. Rather than reinforcing global leadership, the United States increasingly finds itself out of step with prevailing international norms.

At the heart of the crisis lies oil-the lifeblood of Venezuela’s economy. With production at approximately one million barrels per day, oil revenues are essential for public services, food imports, healthcare, and basic economic stability. The US blockade and tanker seizures have sharply curtailed Venezuela’s ability to export crude, leaving oil tankers stranded in Venezuelan waters and supply chains paralyzed. This deliberate targeting of a nation’s economic core amounts to a chokehold on ordinary Venezuelans, who bear the brunt of policies decided thousands of kilometers away.

Economic strangulation does not exist in a vacuum. The Venezuelan government’s indication that it may declare a state of emergency in response to what it describes as US “aggression” highlights how quickly economic pressure can morph into political and military........

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