The exploitation of newly found oil reserves larger than those of the United Arab Emirates or Kuwait by U.S. oil giants triggered the escalating aggression by the White House.

After decades of economic punishment, coup attempts, and all manner of threats by the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, and the White House, Venezuela is not taking this situation lying down. President Nicolas Maduro called a referendum on the issue of the disputed area, Essequibo, on Dec. 3.

The vote confirmed near-total support from the Venezuelan people for defending against the imperialist plans to establish a hostile presence on their border while further enriching the biggest energy corporations in the world.