Send in the Marines: Same Shit, Different Day, Readying Venezuela for Investment

From Brian Schwartz WSJ:

“Wall Street is already at the ready posts…about 20 business leaders, including those from some of the top hedge funds and asset managers, are preparing to go on a March trip to Venezuela to look at investment opportunities there incl in energy and infrastructure.”

Here’s a 1933 speech from Major General Smedley Butler, who died the most decorated US Marine in American history. He speaks about his role in using military might to clear the way for American Big Business.

“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.

In Chump’s War in Venezuela, it’s more of the same shit, on a different day.