It is a simple fact to my mind: the state of political and economic war - in the wake of declining military war, for which we may be thankful? - is due to the cost of oil.
One way and another, conflict is used to drive the cost of oil and keep the ultra-rich on the path to godhood.
However, since his installation as President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez has nationalised a large proportion of the country's economic base, including the oil industry. Critics rage that this has contributed to the high inflation rate, while supporters say it has given access to the profits from this industry to the people.
Either way, Mr Chavez has, I am certain, become a target of economic assassination. Besides weakening America's influence in that part of South America, his nationalisation of Venezuela's oil industry has robbed the US of that income, as well as driving up the cost of Venezuelan oil being exported to the US (about 45% of their total annual production). His actions have also strained relations with the pro-US government in Colombia.
In addition, his covert disdain for American influence in his continent - never mind his country - has left him with few places to turn than other "enemies" of the United States, most recently Iran. Even as the US pressures Iran to give up its nuclear weapons programme and Iran aggressively refuses, threatening oil export routes, Venezuela is one on a list of South American countries currently being visited by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Despite America's continued stance on oil, it looks like their position may be weakening in the face of a new web of alliances between the Middle East and South America - both of whom it depends on for continued oil supply and/or safety of transport (no matter who the oil companies may be owned by).
On the other hand, with economic assassination having failed in the face of what one might judge as Mr Chavez's loyalty to his country and his people, he may be on a black op hit list, destined for "retirement" any day now. That is the usual routine of economic assassination if the usual inducements aren't effective.
But America may well be forced to be careful. Despite Middle East projections, it is Venezuela (not Saudi Arabia) that is the PROVEN holder of the largest oil reserves on earth.
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