Venezuela has a ton of oil. It also has something else America needs

[Igel]

2. Yup. Lithium, coltan, gold, other things.

It's one reason the PRC's so invested in it. That and just spreading influence and building support for its future hegemony.

Russia and Iran got most of the gold, at least in prior decades. Wonder where that got to? But Russia also got to have ships visit, etc.; while Iran gets the IRGC to operate discretely on site.

So yes, we get crap, possibly; but also we get rid of crap, possibly.

And if Venezuela defaults on loans made to it by the PRC and Russia, there'll be some grinning on the part of those that don't like either of the two countries. (And Iran ... 'nuff said.)