Trump and the Legacy of Colonialism: Why He Considers Venezuelan Resources US Property |
Trump is unabashedly trying to enforce colonial-era control in the 21st century: he is leading colonial powers to enforce their belief that mineral rights obtained through colonial and quasi-colonial means in the 20th century remain enforceable today.
Trump’s Projection: “Land, Oil, and Other Assets They Stole from Us”
Trump’s accusations against Venezuela misrepresent the 2007 actions of nationalizing Venezuelan oilfields previously held by US, British, Norwegian, and French Multinationals. These multinationals had gained these oil rights through colonial practices, including gunboat diplomacy. The US and its allies are attempting to undermine the sovereignty of Global South countries by separating political independence from control over land and resources. The West wants an outcome where independent Global South countries leave their land and minerals to firms owned by colonial powers, while rights declared by the UN Charter only advance the West’s interests as they relate to former colonies.
…And What Is The UN Saying? Nothing
The attitude brought to the fore by Trump’s ultimatum against Venezuela is dangerous because it is tacitly abetted by Western-centric institutions of global governance. The bureaucratic scaffold has abetted the murder of tens of civilians beginning from early September 2025, without UN approval, or an independent judicial process. These civilians were targeted by the US military while sailing in the Caribbean Sea after being accused by the Trump administration of being in “drug boats.” Trump has later shifted goalposts and declared that the US Navy has been operating around Venezuela to enforce an oil blockade until the latter country returns land, oil, and other assets he alleges Venezuela stole from the US, as mentioned earlier. He also intensified the military threat on December........