It’s the oil, stupid: Trump, Maduro and the threat of a Caribbean war

This commentary article considers whether Venezuela’s large reserves of oil may be the real reason behind US efforts to bring about the overthrow of President Maduro. The article reflects on the fact that despite global efforts to tackle climate change, fossil fuels still supply the majority of the world’s energy and continue to be a source of geopolitical conflict.

Prospect, 28 November 2025