Heidelberger Geographische Gesellschaft e.V. The Return of Gunboat Diplomacy? The Trump Administration’s Neo-Imperial Agenda in Venezuela

President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to control Venezuelan oil. While initially couched in rhetoric that painted operations in the Caribbean as necessary exercises to curb the flow of illegal drugs, Trump has since set aside all pretense and now openly voices his desire for oil companies to invest in the South American nation. The military operation that removed President Nicolas Maduro laid bare plans to open Venezuela up to foreign investment, claiming that the exploitation of the country’s vast reserves will improve local infrastructure, “make money for the country,” and lower energy prices in the United States. Whether knowingly or not, President Trump’s eagerness to find new spaces for capital reinvestment is an imperial practice that mirrors the expansionism of the early 20th century. This presentation examines the relationship between space and capital circulation to understand the policy behind the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela and the Caribbean.

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