🔗 This Knowledge Drop has a Mains-focused companion on iasmonk.com

“For answer-writing enrichment beyond Prelims, visit iasmonk.com.”

For prelims: In-depth UPSC Level MCQs; Booster Notes; 20 Word-Flash Facts | You are very much here! For Mains: All G.S Papers: High Quality Essays ; Model Answers; Case Studies and beyond … Visit: iasmonk.com

US Strikes on Venezuela | Monroe Doctrine and Energy Geopolitics

Post Date: 4 January 2026
Syllabus: GS Paper II | International Relations
Linked Area: GS Paper III | Energy Security
Theme: US Foreign Policy × Latin America × Global Energy Politics

---

📍 Context

Recent US strikes on Venezuela have reignited global debate on violation of national sovereignty, international law, and the persistence of US imperial behaviour in Latin America.
While the action raises serious geopolitical and legal questions, its direct impact on India’s energy security remains limited.

---

🌍 Why Venezuela Matters Geopolitically

• Venezuela holds about 18% of global proven oil reserves, the largest in the world.
• Its reserves exceed those of Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States individually, and even surpass US and Russia combined.
• Control over Venezuelan oil has long been a strategic objective in global energy politics.

---

🛢️ Probable Reasons Behind US Strikes

1️⃣ Energy Geopolitics

• Venezuela is a major supplier of crude oil to China, the world’s largest oil importer.
• It forms a critical node in China’s energy security strategy.
• Weakening Venezuela indirectly constrains China’s global energy leverage.

---

2️⃣ US Trade and Energy Commitments

• The US has signed energy trade commitments with:
  • European Union
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • United Kingdom
• These commitments exceed current US refining and crude capacity, creating pressure to dominate alternative energy sources.

---

3️⃣ Resurrection of the Monroe Doctrine

• The US has justified the action as consistent with the Monroe Doctrine, asserting primacy in the Western Hemisphere.
• Signals a return to sphere-of-influence geopolitics.

---

4️⃣ Other Stated and Unstated Motives

• Allegations of state-sponsored drug trafficking
• Containment of socialist political ideology
• Addressing mass migration flows toward the United States

---

🧾 Venezuela’s Actual Role in Global Oil Supply

• Venezuela is a member of OPEC.
• Despite vast reserves:
  • Contributes only 3.5% of OPEC exports
  • Accounts for about 1% of global oil supply
• Reasons:
  • Long-term US sanctions
  • Heavy crude requiring specialised refineries
• Majority of current exports go to China.

---

📜 Monroe Doctrine: Quick Recap

• Announced in 1823 by US President James Monroe.
• Core principles:
  1. Non-colonisation of the Americas by Europe
  2. Non-intervention by European powers
  3. Separate spheres of influence
  4. US non-interference in European affairs
• Roosevelt Corollary (1904) expanded it:
  • Asserted US right to intervene in Latin America
  • Used to justify interventions in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic

---

🇮🇳 Impact on India: Reality Check

Oil Imports

• India imported $255.3 million worth of Venezuelan oil in FY 2025.
• This is only 0.3% of India’s total oil imports.
• Since 2019, India has steadily reduced engagement due to US sanctions.

---

Bilateral Trade

• India–Venezuela trade is small and declining.
• Imports fell from $1.4 billion (2023–24) to $364.5 million (2024–25).
• India’s exports:
  • $95.3 million, mainly pharmaceuticals

---

📉 Net Impact on India

• Given:
  • Low trade volume
  • Existing sanctions
  • Geographic distance
• The US strikes are unlikely to materially affect India’s economy or energy security.

---

🧭 Way Ahead (India’s Strategic Lens)

• India is diversifying its crude basket amid Indo-US trade negotiations.
• Easing sanctions on Venezuela could:
  • Offer flexibility to Indian refiners
  • Reduce supply concentration risks
• In a future marked by wars over raw materials and energy, India must:
  • Protect strategic autonomy
  • Avoid sovereignty-eroding deals
  • Secure energy access without geopolitical pressure

---

🪔 IAS Monk Whisper

“When doctrines outlive their century,
they stop protecting order and begin provoking disorder.”

📘 Knowledge Drop–82

Prelims Booster Notes (1-Page | Copy-Safe | Exam-Oriented)

Topic: US Strikes on Venezuela
GS: Paper II | International Relations
Linked Area: GS Paper III | Energy Security

---

1) Context

1)The United States conducted strikes on Venezuela in early 2026.
2)The action raised concerns regarding violation of international law and national sovereignty.
3)It reinforced perceptions of US imperialism in Latin America.
4)Despite geopolitical concerns, the impact on India’s energy security is limited.

---

2) Why Venezuela is Strategically Important

1)Venezuela holds about 18% of the world’s proven oil reserves.
2)Its oil reserves are larger than those of Saudi Arabia, Russia, or the United States individually.
3)Venezuela’s reserves exceed those of the US and Russia combined.
4)Control over Venezuelan oil has long-term geopolitical significance.

---

3) Probable Reasons for US Strikes

1)Energy geopolitics and control over oil resources.
2)Countering China’s expanding influence in Latin America.
3)China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil.
4)Venezuela is a critical node in China’s global energy security strategy.
5)US commitments to supply petroleum and LNG to allies exceed its refining and crude capacity.
6)Reassertion of US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
7)Containment of socialist political ideology.
8)Allegations of state-sponsored drug trafficking.
9)Addressing mass migration flows toward the United States.

---

4) Venezuela’s Role in Global Oil Supply

1)Venezuela is a member of OPEC.
2)It contributes about 3.5% of OPEC’s total oil exports.
3)It accounts for roughly 1% of global oil supply.
4)Low output is due to US sanctions.
5)Venezuelan crude is heavy and requires specialised refineries.
6)Most of Venezuela’s oil exports currently go to China.

---

5) Monroe Doctrine

1)Announced in 1823 by US President James Monroe.
2)Declared that the Americas were closed to future European colonisation.
3)Opposed European interference in the political affairs of the Western Hemisphere.
4)Established separate spheres of influence for Europe and the Americas.
5)The US promised non-interference in European internal affairs.
6)The doctrine later became a justification for US dominance in Latin America.

---

6) Roosevelt Corollary

1)Introduced in 1904 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
2)Asserted US right to intervene in Latin American countries.
3)Objective was to prevent European involvement in the region.
4)Used to justify interventions in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

---

7) Impact on India’s Energy Security

1)India imported $255.3 million worth of oil from Venezuela in FY 2025.
2)This constituted only about 0.3% of India’s total oil imports.
3)Since 2019, India has been reducing oil imports from Venezuela due to US sanctions.
4)India’s crude supply is diversified across multiple regions.
5)Current developments are unlikely to disrupt India’s energy security.

---

8) India–Venezuela Trade Relations

1)India–Venezuela bilateral trade is small and declining.
2)India’s imports fell from $1.4 billion in 2023–24 to $364.5 million in 2024–25.
3)Crude oil accounted for $255.3 million of imports.
4)India’s exports stood at $95.3 million.
5)Pharmaceutical products form the largest share of India’s exports.

---

9) Way Ahead for India

1)India is diversifying its crude oil basket.
2)Easing sanctions on Venezuela could provide supply flexibility.
3)Venezuelan crude may reduce supply concentration risks.
4)Future geopolitics will see intensifying competition over energy resources.
5)India must protect strategic autonomy.
6)India should avoid energy deals that weaken sovereignty or long-term interests.

---

🔑 High-Value Prelims Takeaways

1)Large oil reserves do not automatically translate into high production.
2)Sanctions can severely limit a country’s energy output.
3)Monroe Doctrine remains relevant in modern US foreign policy.
4)China’s energy security concerns shape global geopolitics.
5)US actions in Latin America have limited direct impact on India.

⚡ Knowledge Drop–82

20 Flash Words (Prelims)

1)US strikes Venezuela
2)Violation of sovereignty debate
3)International law concerns
4)Venezuela oil reserves 18%
5)Largest proven crude reserves
6)China biggest buyer
7)Latin America geopolitics
8)Energy security politics
9)Monroe Doctrine 1823
10)Western Hemisphere influence
11)Roosevelt Corollary 1904
12)US intervention legacy
13)OPEC member Venezuela
14)1% global oil supply
15)Heavy crude constraint
16)US sanctions impact
17)India oil import 0.3%
18)Limited India impact
19)Strategic autonomy India
20)Future resource wars