Before Venezuela’s oil, there were Guatemala’s bananas

US lawmakers who opposed Guatemala’s democratically elected leaders alleged communist subterfuge. They didn’t mention the United Fruit Company’s complaints before the 1954 coup.

By: Aaron Coy Moulton, Stephen F. Austin State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 15, 2026

Words: 1,482

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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By Aaron Coy Moulton, Stephen F. Austin State University

In the aftermath of the U.S. military strike that seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026, the Trump administration has emphasized its desire for unfettered access to Venezuela’s oil more than conventional foreign policy objectives, such as combating drug trafficking or bolstering democracy and regional stability.

During his first news conference after the operation, President Donald Trump claimed oil companies would play an important …

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