In its strategy towards Venezuela, Washington is invoking its Cold War and Monroe Doctrine and its view of Latin America as U.S. backyard, — claim that is anathema throughout the region. ..…

I am not as confident as Moon of Alabama that Venezuela's effort dating back to Chavez to be sovereign country independent of Washington's control can survive. Washington is determined to teach all of Latin America that it's pointless to dream of self-determination. ..…

But the effects are also felt across the rest of the world, such as Africa and Latin America, where many countries export commodities whose largest marginal buyer is China. . Washington justifies the trade war by accusing China of devaluing its currency to favor its exports. ..…