text: You exemplify the stupidity and ignorance of the Western left.   First of all, the USA is almost energy independent thanks to its own tight shale oil development.  In fact, the USA will soon overtake Saudi Arabia in oil production, and is effectively oil independent with oil from Canada and Mexico.   The US no longer needs ME oil, or Venezuelan oil.  The economic collapse in Venezuela has nothing to do with the US, but everything to do with its failed socialist ideology.  Venezuelan socialism is the only reason why that country is experiencing food shortages, dire poverty and very soon famine.  That is why it's own people are rebelling.  If you read  the comments from Venezuela's two largest newspapers Ultimas Noticias and El Nacional , you can see that 95% of everyday Venezuelans blame their economic crisis on their socialist government, and not on the USA.