They still have the oil--
And it is not getting less valuable.
Checkmate.
Next game?

How about this ----
America is addicted to OIL.
OPEC controls 2/3 of the worlds oil reserves.
97 percent of the transportation system in USA runs on OIL.
Checkmate.
Game over !!!

Not entirely so. Altough Venezuela could go on (authough poorer) without selling oil, the Hugo Chaves goverenment can't.

I'm quite curious to see what interest will prevail.