The Richest Poor Country: Venezuela's Oil Curse and the New Cold War in America's Backyard

How does a nation with more oil reserves than Saudi Arabia become so poor that a quarter of its population flees in desperation? "The Richest Poor Country" exposes the shocking transformation of Venezuela from Latin America's wealthiest democracy into a failed narco-state that has become the epicenter of a new Cold War in America's backyard. Investigative journalist Michael Rodriguez reveals how Venezuela's oil curse created the perfect storm of authoritarianism, economic collapse, and geopolitical competition that now threatens hemispheric stability. This meticulously researched analysis traces Venezuela's journey from Hugo Chávez's Bolivarian Revolution through Nicolás Maduro's authoritarian regime, while exposing how China, Russia, and Iran have exploited America's sanctions strategy to establish permanent footholds just 200 miles from Miami. Rodriguez demonstrates how Venezuela's crisis isn't just about one country's political failures—it's a preview of resource wars that will define global energy security and international relations for decades to come. Essential reading for policymakers, students of Latin America economics, and anyone seeking to understand how oil geopolitics shapes the modern world. Discover why Venezuela's tragedy serves as both a cautionary tale about the resource curse and a roadmap for how rising powers challenge American hegemony in the 21st century.