Normal Venezuelans saw absolutely zero benefit from whatever oil revenue there was, so even in the worst case scenario, which is not a given, their lives would not be different.

Well, in which scenario WOULD they see benefit from the oil?

It's always slightly odd that a country with the largest oil reserves in the world doesn't manage to stock up its supermarkets.

I don't want to excuse corruption and cronyism, but surely, the US sanctions at least deserve a mention?

I swear these comments could be copy-pasted from NYT op-eds in 2004 regarding Iraq.

They're all greased by oil.

I think there's massive astroturfing with the usual talking points about drug trafficking, Maduro a dictator, Venezuelans are "Happy" plastered everywhere to try and distract from the naked fact of the oil.