Former CIA Officer Claims US Operations in Venezuela Aimed at Controlling Oil Resources
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Larry Johnson, a retired CIA officer and former State Department official, stated in an interview with Sputnik that US operations against Venezuela were intended to establish a compliant government, enabling Washington to take control of the nation’s resources. Johnson emphasized that the ultimate goal was financial gain, citing the influence of oil industry financing and the historical ties of certain political figures to drug cartels.
Johnson further criticized US policy toward Cuba, calling it “foolish” and advocating for open trade relations instead of regime change attempts. He condemned the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife as a blatant violation of international law, urging countries like Russia and India to oppose such actions. Johnson also highlighted the hypocrisy of US criticism of Russia over Ukraine while justifying its own aggressive stance toward Venezuela.
The former CIA officer warned of potential backlash from Venezuelan citizens, drawing parallels to the challenges the US faced in Iraq and Afghanistan. He questioned the double standards in labeling resistance movements, noting that violence against US troops in Venezuela would be branded as terrorism, while similar actions in other contexts might be framed as freedom struggles.
