Venezuela is the perfect example of why socialism doesn’t work. However, it’s increasingly hard to make this case as apologists have reason to claim the United States is involved in regime change.
Take America’s latest exchange of harsh-toned warnings with Russia for example.
After Russia sent two planes to Nicolas Maduro’s regime reportedly carrying 100 soldiers, 35 tons of military equipment, and General Vasily Tonkoshkurov, a top official of Russia’s armed forces’ Mobilization Directorate, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that America and “regional countries will not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela.”
According to Russian media, the deployment was simply a “[fulfillment of] technical military contracts.” But to Washington, it was a symbol of President Vladimir Putin’s lack of respect for America, as U.S. officials continue to back Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Interestingly enough, Pompeo used this opportunity to attack Russia for “[inserting its] military personnel to support the illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro,” adding that this move would “[prolong] the suffering of the Venezuelan people who overwhelmingly support interim President Juan Guaido.” But no word regarding America indirectly helping Maduro’s propaganda campaign, which heavily relies on scapegoating Trump’s ongoing support for Guaidó, was uttered.
Hitting back, Lavrov said Washington was attempting “to organize a coup d’etat in Venezuela,” a line that helps to feed Maduro’s supporters, prolonging the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
While Russia cites the UN charter to criticize the U.S., and the Organization of American States (OAS) hits Russia for engaging “in military cooperation programs with a usurping regime that has been declared illegitimate by resolutions and Inter-American law,” it is clear that this issue should not be resolved by foreign actors, regardless of whom they support.
If American officials had, indeed, the well being of the Venezuelan people at heart, they would step away from this “fight.”
Venezuela’s Demise is About Socialism, Not Foreign Intervention
Socialism is why Venezuela is in ruins.
After Hugo Chavez and Maduro carried out their price and exchange rate controls, shortages followed. As despair grew, Maduro tried to address it with more government intervention. In no time, private properties were being randomly confiscated.
With this anti-business attitude growing, investors fled the country alongside the millions of average Venezuelans, who no longer could make ends meet. With government-created monetary inflation destroying the economy, it’s no wonder that misery is now widespread. Still, Maduro exploits Trump’s threats to justify these ongoing, policy-induced monstrosities. And the U.S. isn’t helping anyone by continuously pushing the “all options on table” threat.
“Socialism isn’t cool” isn’t a sexy narrative. However, “U.S. seeks regime change,” especially in the Trump era, when Democrats might be more inclined to criticize anything he does, is. It’s time to stop giving Maduro what he wants, and leave the Venezuelan people alone.
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