The regrettable events that have occurred in Venezuela still leave a profound uncertainty, and their outcome seems to defy even the most solid analyses and predictions.

Therefore, it’s not the objective of this article to anticipate what will happen or to claim to reveal an absolute truth about what has happened and is happening in the land of Bolívar and Chávez.

Rather, it's about sharing some reflections on imperial boldness, which seems determined to reenact the vilest actions from the CIA manuals, with a touch of arrogance worthy of 15th-century emperors and kings, and the vulgarity of a neighborhood thug.

It’s appalling to listen to Donald Trump and his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, when they refer to Latin America and, especially, to Venezuela.

Every word becomes an affront to dignity: from the mockery of "shaving the mustache" of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—kidnapped along with his wife in the United States—to the way they plan to neocolonize Venezuela and subjugate its people.

There has been no shortage of threats against the government headed by Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, who, according to repeated statements by Trump, could fare worse than Maduro if she doesn't "cooperate" with the United States.

As alarming as everything mentioned above is the ease with which the narrative about preventing drug trafficking and the entry of drugs into the United States has crumbled—a narrative so loudly proclaimed and repeated by the usurers who control politics in Washington and the mainstream media.

Now everything revolves around the real objective: Venezuelan oil, the very oil that Trump claims to already control. In a post on his social media, he stated that between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude will arrive in the United States, and that the money from this transaction will be managed by him, supposedly for the benefit of the people he bombed and for the United States.

Afterwards, Marco Rubio outlined a three-stage plan, all with the same goal: to seize Venezuelan oil.

The Yankee vultures neither hide nor disguise their true intentions, revealing that the naval deployment in the Caribbean has always been aimed at seizing Venezuelan hydrocarbons, even if it means violating every existing norm of international law and killing without hesitation.

Like birds of prey circling the region, the United States sows death, pain, and outrage, even within its own borders, where in recent days protesters have carried signs denouncing the exchange of blood for oil.

The lives of millions are worthless to a corrupt and belligerent elite that seeks to line its pockets at any cost. Perhaps with the money they expect to obtain from Venezuelan crude, they intend to cover the cost of buying Greenland.

Because, surely, it won't be to stabilize the situation of the millions of Americans living in extreme poverty or on the verge of losing everything. It has become quite clear that their policy is based on budget cuts to social assistance programs and scientific research. There's never enough money for that, but when it comes to bombing Venezuela, Nigeria, and Syria—to mention the most recent examples—no expense is spared.

Truth and diplomacy have also been hijacked by the Empire. The systems and organizations created to preserve peace are becoming increasingly useless.

If the disrespect for the most basic international rights continues, the consequences will be catastrophic for millions around the world.

Only the unity of the people can stop imperial arrogance, which today constitutes a grave threat to the peace and security of Latin American and Caribbean nations.

Every act of the ruthless beast, of the subservient and groveling governments, and of those who bow to Yankee designs, will contribute to awakening the social conscience and determination of all dignified people who live in this planet.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff