Oil, Power, Conflict

America's hegemony over global oil since World War II is over for sure. Its strong military-industrial complex is also losing its technological edge to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran

- DIPANKAR DEY

On the afternoon of September 2, the US President informed reporters that the US military had killed 11 "drug traffickers" from Venezuela during a "kinetic strike" in the Caribbean Sea. Later, Trump used his social media platform to write: "The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in international waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States." Trump also posted a video that appeared to show a speeding boat being destroyed by an air strike. Moreover, the vessel was in international waters. If it had been a flagged vessel, the attack would have been considered to have occurred on that country's territory. In the eyes of many people around the world, those on the boat were civilians, and the attack would be seen as an extrajudicial killing, reported Reuters. The US Vice President JD Vance, who enjoys the backing of the PayPal Mafia group, defended the action, controversially saying he "doesn't give a sh*t" about legal concerns, sparking backlash.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the strike, calling it a fabricated justification for regime change, and mobilized civilian militias in response. The Pentagon has deployed warships, submarines, marines, and F-35 jets to the region, while Trump warned Venezuelan jets could be shot down if they threaten US forces. The standoff raises fears of full-scale military conflict in the Caribbean.