The one and only reason there is a backlash against Venezuela is because the US is exerting its clout. And, in turn, the one and only reason the US cares about

The one and only reason there is a backlash against Venezuela is because the US is exerting its clout. And, in turn, the one and only reason the US cares about Venezuela is because the Venezuelan government dropped the petrodollar in late 2017 (I mention the date to emphasize this event predates the election), swapping to the euro and yuan. The petrodollar plays a major role in sustaining the US economy and consequently moving away from it is a perceived as a direct attack on the US. Other countries that have moved away from the petrodollar include Iraq, Libya, and Iran. Notably - these countries all moved away before being invaded (and Iran has yet to be invaded). In other words, their moving away was not a consequence of our invasions but rather our invasion was a consequence of their dropping the dollar. Saudi Arabia is one of the most belligerent and despotic nations on the planet, but since they keep to the petrodollar like their life depends on it (which it does), we're best friends forever. They even held the chair of the UN human rights council. Great guys, them. There are sham elections, unrepresentative "regimes", and all other sorts of nastiness all throughout the world. Nobody cares. Unless they happen to have something somebody else wants, then it's time to go full-on won't anybody think of the children?