OPEC
Jerome Vasquez, the Minister of Petroleum for the Republic of Venezuela, entered a room where Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez, President of Venezuela and member of the Social Christian Party (Partido Socialcristiano), awaited him.
A political heavyweight who finished second or third in voting since 1947 and finally captured the presidency of Venezuela after three failed attempts.
The shocking news from such a man left Vasquez with eyes wide open, trembling not just with his eyes but with his whole arm.
"Bueno, nosotros, la República de Venezuela, participamos en la OPEP o algo así... . ¿Estás diciendo que vas a apuñalar a Estados Unidos por la espalda?
(So, you're saying that our Republic of Venezuela will participate in this OPEC thing and… backstab the U.S.?)"
"¿Es eso lo que sucede si se deja de lado toda la retórica política?
(Strip away the political rhetoric, and yes, that's the gist.)"
"Are you serious right now?!!"
Vasquez was in disbelief.
How could he stay calm upon hearing a representative of Venezuela, a staunchly pro-American nation, suggest cutting off a limb of the mighty U.S.?
"If we collude on oil prices, the U.S. will go berserk!!"
"The U.S. is already floundering in Vietnam, right?!"
"...Even if the U.S. is distracted by Vietnam right now… if we make a move that's tantamount to declaring war, the U.S. will turn its guns on us! They could invade us, leading their entire aircraft carrier fleet!!"
Desperation filled Vasquez's voice, but President Caldera paid no heed.
Unlike Vasquez, who was stuck in the ghosts of the past, Caldera was confident.
He was certain that the U.S. wouldn't dare to make a move.
"Please come to your senses. What century do you think we're living in? Even the U.S. can't declare war on us just because we're threatening their energy dominance."
"...America, arrogant enough to consider the whole of America as their own, including us in South America. They will not tolerate our defiance."
"Usually, you'd be right."
"..."
"But the U.S. is currently struggling both externally with Vietnam and the Soviet Union and internally with anti-American sentiments. In this situation, would they publicly declare war on us, a supposedly pro-American nation? Ridiculous."
President Caldera merely scoffed.
"Are you suggesting that we just take a hit from the CIA's covert operations to overthrow our regime, or support military coups, or even assassination attempts?"
"...."
"But this decision is beyond my control, even if I die. The entire Republic of Venezuela, precisely those who have raised us to this position, are hoping for a rise in oil prices."
Jerome Vasquez asked cautiously after hearing President Caldera's soft-spoken words.
"Have they moved?"
"What... Suddenly asking now? Aren't they always the monsters who would push their people into despair if it benefits them?"
"That's... true."
Strictly speaking, the idea to collude on oil prices and raise them wasn't from President Caldera or his government.
It originated from politicians involved in oil rights, the oil cartel, and powerful military figures exerting pressure on him.
Even American oil companies with drilling rights in Venezuela covertly supported joining OPEC.
The 'Seven Sisters' even blinded the U.S. government, making fools of them.
For a Venezuelan president, overturning this situation was a massive undertaking.
President Caldera shrugged helplessly, looking at Vasquez's distressed face.
"If they say so, do it. Isn't that the role of a civil servant like you?"
"....."
"But Venezuela can't be dragged around by OPEC. If the oil prices move according to the Arabian Empire's will, not only us but also the American princesses will be very displeased."
"..."
"So, you go and prevent it. Raise oil prices through OPEC, but don't let the Arabian Empire seize the energy dominance."
'Easy to say. Damn it. This is so messed up.'
But as a civil servant, Vasquez had no choice but to follow his words.
In a society where the privileged devour everything, to survive as part of the elite, one must sweeten the deal for those higher up, even if it means dragging the nation into war due to the wrath of the U.S.
'But how can we escape OPEC's interference while also raising oil prices?'
***
Jerome Vasquez's strategy was to enlighten the Arab nations, naive about America's wrath.
He aimed to portray the U.S. as a psychopath obsessed with energy dominance and instill fear in the Iran Empire and the Arabian royal family.
It would be beneficial to depict Venezuela's situation as pitiable.
Despite the ruthless nature of international politics, the plight of Venezuela, taking a risky stand against the world's leading superpower, could not be completely ignored.
"You all must understand! It's not the Iran Empire or the Arabian Empire, far from America, but our Venezuela that will suffer the most from America's wrath."
"...Tsk-"
"What do you propose then?"
Ahmed Zaki Yamani of the Arabian Empire sighed quietly.
Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, the representative of the Iran Empire, who had been silent so far, began to speak.
The representatives from the Middle Eastern nations were starting to change their minds.
"We demand the abolition of OPEC's monopoly on price-setting under the Arabian Empire's leadership! And continue exporting oil to Europe, but especially to the U.S.!"
"Hmm… Reducing the oil supply to the Yankees would have shown them our strength..."
"What if the U.S. really sends its aircraft carriers against us?!"
"That's… true, tsk-"
Eventually, Yamani, the Arabian Minister of Petroleum, conceded first.
The plan to snatch energy dominance through an OPEC dominated by the Arabian Empire's influence had failed.
But they agreed to periodically adjust the oil supply and prices among member countries.
After all, OPEC was formed to promote the interests of oil-exporting countries.
There was no reason for Iran and Venezuela to walk into a trap willingly.
'Besides, even if OPEC guarantees exclusive rights, agreements mean nothing in a crisis. Unless we, like the U.S., can enforce them with aircraft carriers.'
Unlike the Arabian Empire, both countries desperately sought a rise in oil prices.
In Iran and Venezuela, a significant portion of the national budget depended on oil revenue, unlike the Arabian Empire, where all profits from Arabian Aramco flowed into the royal coffers.
Excluding the U.S. and the Arabian Empire, all among the top five oil nations operated state-owned oil companies, and the oil sales revenue flowed not into private hands but into the state's.
The Soviet Union's Ministry of Petroleum.
Iran's National Iranian Oil Company. Venezuela's PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela).
They were giant state-owned oil companies, comparable to a conglomerate of three to four princesses.
Of course, a significant share of Venezuela's PDVSA was in the hands of the princesses.
It was almost like a powerless nation's last words.