A secret weapon on Venezuelan oil: Guyana

That's right — Venezuela’s power is declining amid its economic and humanitarian crisis, but Maduro is still trying to bully smaller neighbors, even threatening military action over border disputes. The United States has a role to play. It can support the rule of law, the sanctity of borders, and the proper application of the U.N. Law of the Sea. Should the U.S. seek to increase pressure on Venezuela, surely support for Guyana would be an appropriate measure. The Mike Pompeo State Department hinted in that direction on Guyana’s Independence Day, wishing “Peace and prosperity … across the entire ‘Land of Many Waters’” — a veiled signal of support against Venezuela’s territorial claims. As Guyana’s spending power climbs, the purchase of modern naval vessels would add some hard power symbols to the legal dispute. More…