Crisis in Venezuela

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I believe the right decision would be to put sanctions on the Venezuelan political elite while taking, and encouraging regional players to take in, refugees. It has been evident since the recent presidential election that Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Anything else, however, would be overstepping the right boundaries for the benefit of the region, and thus humanity, in the same vein as the Iraq and Libyan misadventures.

Merely containing the conflict to boil out, while of course providing aide and refuge to those in other countries by allowing them to settle would be wise. I believe that stopping it from spreading would also be beneficial, we should not allow any outside military activity to take advantage of this situation to subjugate and force off the people from their land.

I know a family friend stuck in Caracas, and while she won’t move due to her love of that quaint country, it is crummy knowing that she has to live through another national crisis due to the political elite not stepping down for the people to have their pick. Let that be a lesson to those skeptical of the situation on the ground, the corrupt Chavistas are really the only ones to blame for this conflict, and a hopefully speedy removal would be the best for the region. It is completely understandable that some are wary of repeating chords in Latin American history where the US overthrows leaders for worse ones. Another issue Is that as the situation evolves, all those committed to a better world should be wary of a Khomeinists, Venezuelan style. Such factions exist in the current opposition, fascistic and elitist characters in the style of current parallels such as Bolsonaro and others, yearning for more a more favorable situation for them then in the state of Venezuela before 2002. Thus let’s avoid another Iraq and yearn for a full democratic Venezuela, in which all interests are accurately represented by number in the table.

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Hope India this time decides to join the US in supporting Guaido

Being neither a world power nor in the Americas, I don't think anyone cares about India's reaction.

I just thought that map which was posted was the Old Cold War map forming again on this issue. Yah No it isnt since Europe hasnt reacted either.

Modi has continued to act in neutrality to the regional power-plays in the Middle East as well as with the Koreas, a continuation if you will of India’s policies in this regard with previous administrations. With Venezuela being an natural resource exporter, I can bet good money that the policy will extend over here.

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JA, I have a relative that lived through persecution for being Baha’i after the show of a Revolution in 1979, only to have to live through this. From her own words, she blames Chavez and Maduro for the deteriorating situation. This isn’t the case of someone entitled or wealthy suffering, she sees the same air of despair in Venezuela that was present in Iran before she left.

On the supposed trustworthiness of English speaking Venezuelans, well I always say be thinking about who you’re talking to online, but in this case they are correct on the deteriorating situation from their vantage point. The truth is that everyone is suffering. Mind you, this is not to endorse a hard or soft intervention in Venezuela, I’ve already spoken on the matter as needing a pragmatic and cautious hand.

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I'm also skeptical that recognizing Guaidó achieves anything to resolve the political crisis, but for goodness' sake, Jacobin, what the hell happened to you? You used to be such a smart guy. You're better than this.

Maduro is a dictator, plain and simple, and dictators have no right to sovereignty. If there actually is a way to remove him peacefully and lead Venezuela through a peaceful democratization (which I don't know if there is, but is worth at least considering) it would be immoral not to take it.

The skepticism is understandable considering the heavy attacks on radicals and reformers by a US-led coalition. I don’t support Maduro, but I can understand those who don’t want the board to shift even more on the adversary’s favor.

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If we fail to intervene, I fear the loss of the Venezuelan people. If Guaidó falls, and millions of his supporters are gunned down or imprisoned, the world will turn to America and question us. Right here, right now, democracy is waging a war against the totalitarian, barbaric evil of Nicolas Maduro.

Can you not see? A barbaric, murderous lion strikes at a defenseless lamb, and we proclaim our neutrality. That is not just or right, by any stretch of the imagination. It is as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

You’re suggesting that we go in blind like in Iraq, Libya, and Syria for a “humanitarian intervention”? We literally no nothing of the actual situation the opposition is truly in, not to mention the effects of intervening.

Look at the failures of when the powers try to be statemakers, it always ends in failure if not organically based in the people and ages with ripeness.

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So right now the people of Venezuela are protesting in the streets and I just wrote an article about this for my school newspaper.

Have will this political crisis be resolved, if at all?

The army isn’t detecting against the Chavistas enough nor is the Opposition united nor widespread in demographic appeal to have one protest to bring out the government right now. I suspect a pointless civil war with Maduro ultimately staying.

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The thing that gets me about this thread is how well it illustrates a division in The Left I have noticed for some time.

On one side, you have your social democrats and perhaps the democratic socialists. Their goal is to help the less powerful in society and to help all people be able to participate in a democratic society. I call this the 'Scandinavian approach'. Yes I am aware there are imperfections and issues with this approach but on the whole it is one I approve of.

On the other side, you have the Hard Left. Their main motivating factor, as far as I can determine, is hatred of the West in general and the United States in particular, as well as the attainment of power at any costs to force an agenda of what seems to be the supremacy of the state, ostensibly for reasons of helping the less powerful but from what I can tell mainly to replace the old elites with themselves. There are various names I could call this but the 'Cuban approach' should press the right buttons. I very strongly oppose this approach as inexorably leading to totalitarian regimes with massive doses of hypocrisy.

Venezuela has been darkly fascinating for how much the Hard Left WILL NOT BUDGE in supporting the Chavistas, no matter how corrupt and oppressive they act, nor how much suffering they inflict on the people they claim to support. Consistently, EVERYTHING is the fault of the United States, and/or the West as a whole, or the imperialist/corporatist/warmongering/etc forces of international capital, or Donald Trump, and so on. This isn't the only case where this applies, but this is a thread about Venezuela after all.

The Hard Left just can not or will not engage in any self-reflection over the types of things they support. It is quite possible to both oppose abuses by multinationals and also oppose abuses by state regimes as well. One can oppose both Monsanto and Maduro, both Pinochet and Pyongyang.

I find it frankly horrifying how, both in Venezuela and in, oh, Nicaragua, the hard left governments can kill hundreds of protesters and there will be either silence or excuses from certain quarters. If something is a violation of human rights, the ideology of who commits it shouldn't mean anything.

Would being against US intervention in Venezuelan affairs be a “Hard-Left” position worth ridiculing, even if that individual is opposed to Maduro’s government to you.

Because I can tell you now, no matter what one may believe, it is not strategically viable for us here in the States nor good for the region to heavily intervene in Maduro’s removal.

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Would being against US intervention in Venezuelan affairs be a “Hard-Left” position worth ridiculing, even if that individual is opposed to Maduro’s government to you.

Because I can tell you now, no matter what one may believe, it is not strategically viable for us here in the States nor good for the region to heavily intervene in Maduro’s removal.

No, as long as such a view is also consistent with being opposed to Russian, Chinese, and Cuban intervention in Venezuelan affairs as well.

Is providing humanitarian aid getting heavily involved? We're not alone in that effort.

It’s questionable to not allow a neutral party, such as the UN, be involved in distributing the aide to the most needy. What the United States is doing is allowing Opposition-backed NGO’s distribute aide. There could be an abuse of such a relationship so as to prove to the Venezuelan people that backing Guiadó would lead to an end to the crisis, and a more short-term bribe of allegiance now.

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It’s questionable to not allow a neutral party, such as the UN, be involved in distributing the aide to the most needy. What the United States is doing is allowing Opposition-backed NGO’s distribute aide. There could be an abuse of such a relationship so as to prove to the Venezuelan people that backing Guiadó would lead to an end to the crisis, and a more short-term bribe of allegiance now.

Err...hasn't Maduro outright refused to let any international aid into Venezuela?

Why yes, that is EXACTLY the case: Look here...

I recant my statement on US aide. It is the least bad alternative thanks to the continued inept maliciousness of Maduro. The rest still stands though at this time.

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Opposition-aligned National Assembly approves additions to PDVSA Ad-Hoc board

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It begins...

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Trump needs to send in the army ASAP.

Because proving Maduro right on recent events and galvanizing the Chavistas would work wonders on bringing peace to the region. Not to mention back home, with the president not even having a people’s mandate for this war, not to mention his presidency, in the first place.

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Mexico previously offered to host bilateral talks, and yet Guaidó and the Opposition didn’t move to talks and then threw this. The very fact of the matter is that Guiadó has slightly more legitimacy than the GNA government in Tripoli, Libya. Both were propped up by people who knew nothing on the ground, and were not looking that there are serious issues with the factionalism in the movement. I expect the coup to fail in bringing stability and prosperity to Venezuela, only further contribute to its free fall.

For shame people wanting US intervention after decades of costly war and blowback back home. You only serve as useful idiots to Haliburton and other weaponry stockholders.

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Maybe Blackwater might go public at such a great time, seems like they’re preparing for a golden opportunity

Over the last several months, the sources said, Prince has sought investment and political support for such an operation from influential Trump supporters and wealthy Venezuelan exiles. In private meetings in the United States and Europe, Prince sketched out a plan to field up to 5,000 soldiers-for-hire on behalf of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to two sources with direct knowledge of Prince’s pitch.

One source said Prince has conducted meetings about the issue as recently as mid-April.

White House National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis declined to comment when asked whether Prince had proposed his plan to the government and whether it would be considered. A person familiar with the administration’s thinking said the White House would not support such a plan.

Venezuela opposition officials have not discussed security operations with Prince, said Guaido spokesman Edward Rodriguez, who did not answer additional questions from Reuters. The Maduro government did not respond to a request for comment.

Maybe he’ll try to rival the historical ones with his new American Caribbean Corporation.  

Big question is whether Putin sends the Russian Military to launch air-strikes on the opposition ?

I doubt they can sustain it. The Russian military just doesn’t have the resources to engage in that type of sustained intervention, especially one up Uncle Sam’s backyard. If they do try I have no doubt that the Pentagon will go all out to provide ATGMs the Syrian FSA groups would only dream about.

Edit: well this is expected, Peru is kicking out the refugees that are fleeing the Maduro Regime, they’re still backing the coup by Guiadó

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Hi guys. I understand strong opinions for/against a US intervention in the country. That, however doesn't mean you have to support Maduro. Please understand that Venezuela under chavismo isn't a pretty place to live in. Every day, what you take for granted where you live, is a nightmare to obtain properly in Venezuela. Low salaries (It was about $6 a month last time I checked), failing basic services (electricity, running water, gas), food scarcity, insane crime rates, and absurd levels of corruption. Venezuelans deserve to live in a place where everyday routines don't look like battles to be fought and lost. We deserve to live in a place with a bright future, not a post-apocalyptic mess.

Like I said, you can be against a US military intervention (something that hasn't even happened yet), but don't you dare say you support Maduro just to spite the US.

I hope that one day Venezuela will be mostly free of corruption and tyranny, but that is not visible on the horizon. The fact of the matter is that the grouping that constitutes as the face of the opposition just wants to bring the country back to the 90s, and no one evidently wants that, with all the classism and poverty.

The best bet right now is for the Opposition to take the Mexican deal and try to work something out. Put someone that is willing for democracy but won’t privatize for the benefit of foreign powers. Tell me, are there any disillusioned ex-chavismo officials willing to take the reign, like Luisa Marvelia Ortega Díaz?

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Hi guys. I understand strong opinions for/against a US intervention in the country. That, however doesn't mean you have to support Maduro. Please understand that Venezuela under chavismo isn't a pretty place to live in. Every day, what you take for granted where you live, is a nightmare to obtain properly in Venezuela. Low salaries (It was about $6 a month last time I checked), failing basic services (electricity, running water, gas), food scarcity, insane crime rates, and absurd levels of corruption. Venezuelans deserve to live in a place where everyday routines don't look like battles to be fought and lost. We deserve to live in a place with a bright future, not a post-apocalyptic mess.

Like I said, you can be against a US military intervention (something that hasn't even happened yet), but don't you dare say you support Maduro just to spite the US.

I hope that one day Venezuela will be mostly free of corruption and tyranny, but that is not visible on the horizon. The fact of the matter is that the grouping that constitutes as the face of the opposition just wants to bring the country back to the 90s, and no one evidently wants that, with all the classism and poverty.

The best bet right now is for the Opposition to take the Mexican deal and try to work something out. Put someone that is willing for democracy but won’t privatize for the benefit of foreign powers. Tell me, are there any disillusioned ex-chavismo officials willing to take the reign, like Luisa Marvelia Ortega Díaz?

That wouldn't be the for the best. AMLO's deal, whatever it implies, isn't in the opposition's best interest.

Plenty of "disillusioned" chavistas are more than willing to take the reign: Luisa Ortega Díaz, former Interior Minister Miguel Rodríguez Torres and former PDVSA president Rafael Ramírez are the most notorious of them. The problem is that they are deeply distrusted by the population. The opposition base see them as opportunists who still support Chavez's ways and have no intention of repenting of the actions they did under Chávez, while the chavistas see them as traitors and are unwilling to forgive them. For now, it's unlikely that any ex-chavista ends up being the President or something of the sort.

The reality of the situation means that this is the Roundtable’s best bet to get something. Either go for a compromise or get quashed by Maduro militias, no?

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Guaidó is now continuing to ask the U.S. to intervene. What a pathetic attempt this all is. Mark my words, I will get wasted on tequila when Venezuelan authorities apprehend him for this “uprising”, as described by the mainstream news networks.

And we could have gotten an actual reformer if the Opposition wasn’t an elitist echo chamber trying to grab at early momentum, what a waste.

In more informative matters, Venezuela reopens borders with Brazil and Aruba

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Maduro proposing early elections
This could be the end to the Opposition Roundtable. Maybe next time they’ll be more pragmatic enough to come to the negotiation table, instead of stir **** up with a failed coup and then b*** about it on Twitter, either in Southern Florida or uptown Caracas.

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Maduro proposing early elections
This could be the end to the Opposition Roundtable. Maybe next time they’ll be more pragmatic enough to come to the negotiation table, instead of stir **** up with a failed coup and then b*** about it on Twitter, either in Southern Florida or uptown Caracas.

Not to defend the lack of competence of the Opposition, but what exactly is to be achieved at the negotiation table with Maduro? They have participated in different talks in the past and the answer from Maduro was pretty much always the same, which is to outright refuse any sort of negotiated solution beyond offering "elections" which are bound to be rigged and/or made unwinnable by the Opposition. His idea of a negotiated compromise was that remarkably fair and transparent Presidential election last year.

That the Opposition will have to negotiate in a more effective manner with Chavistas or government-aligned forces if it aspires to ever take part in a transition (though that opportunity seems to have gone out the window with the utter mess of a few days ago) is certainly clear, but it seems remarkably pointless to enter into talks again and again with Maduro so he can stall and win time.

When they still had high ground, it was clear that entering into negotiation talks in Mexico while encouraging more protests would boost their chances, not go for the incredibly risky Coup attempt. At least that way they can look more legitimate and professional than the Chavistas while decrying the empty promises of the government. Now, their chances are squandered and Maduro has the upper hand.