America's intense interest in the goings-on in Venezuela stems from this commercial compulsion. It wants a government in Venezuela that is favourable towards its economic interests. It wants a pliable leader at the helm who won't act the way Nicholas Maduro does or his predecessor Hugo Chavez did. Julian Guaido is thus a good thing happening in the Latin American country. At least for the US. And the US has blessed him.
All three, US Prez Donald Trump, NSA John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have simply asked Maduro to step down. Or else ... Well, if Maduro does not succumb to America's wish and comply meekly then the US will take the matter very seriously. And the uncontainable Trump has made it plain. Military action is an option, Trump said showing once again that he is a man who does not mince words.
The US started with an apparently innocuous gesture. It is sending aids on opposition leader and self-proclaimed President Juam Guaido's request. Guaido's contention is that his country could very well do with aids. A much chagrined Maduro refuses to let in the aid by telling his supporters in a rally that Venezuela is no beggar. In the US aid Maduro sees a sign of future military intervention.
Also Read: Islam innocent, armed groups butchers: Al Azahar grand imam
But there was a time, in the not so distant a past when things between Venezuela and the US was hunky dory with no traces of bitterness. Things changed after Hugo Chavez. But let's flip back a few pages of history first.