CARACAS, March 7. /TASS/. The political crisis in Venezuela was caused by the US’ geopolitical schemes and Washington’s strive to control oil production, Governor of Venezuela’s Miranda state Hector Rodriguez told TASS in an interview.
"The current crisis is part of the historical period through which Venezuela is going," he noted. "The new stage of a lengthier historical period of 15-20 years has been in place for a month already. The country’s authorities firstly aim to protect the ‘Bolivar Project,’ the project of the unification of the Latin American nations. This project naturally runs counter to the US’ plans on Latin America."
Rodriguez noted that in the 200-year-long history of Latin America the US tried to prevent the regional countries from creating a common bloc, because it was easier to rule them separately. "Any Latin American leader who supported unification was immediately removed from power in a coup d’etat," the governor went on. "This is the main reason for the conflict."
Rodriguez named the US’ strive to control the oil produced in Venezuela as another reason for the political crisis. "The US’ interest is based on control over energy resources," he said. "The discourse is always the same: in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq. No one can say that 15 years after the US’ invasion in Iraq there is more democracy and human rights there now."
"What really increased there is deaths and famine. And more control over the energy resources," the politician added.
The US takes the lead
The two above-named reasons influenced Venezuela’s political life over the last 20 years, Hector Rodriguez said. "In 2002, there was a military coup, when there were cordons of tanks on streets; in 2007, there were manifestations, and then in 2014," he noted. "The US’ blockade started in 2013. Today’s events are another link in this chain, an attempt to carry out a new coup d’etat and remove the government."
However, Miranda State’s governor says that the current crisis has an important difference. "The US used to remain in the shade, but now they took the lead and are directing these manifestations," he said. "Still, I think that peace and democracy will win, like before."
Hector Rodriguez, aged 36, is a young Chavista leader. He is one of the possible presidential candidates among the government supporters if a presidential election is called.