Maduro Should Get a Pinky Swear This Time!
You’re now cool with the guy you tried to coup five times? This could be awkward!
The simple part first; Nicolás Maduro is still President of Venezuela. The U.S. backed puppet, Juan Guaidó was not only a failed “interim president,” he’s under investigation for misappropriation of U.S. funds. GASP! Side note: we just sent an actual pallet of cash to Ukraine. Formula for foreign policy success repeated.
However, as to Maduro, the U.S. has been negotiating to get their oil back online after the Ruble has been going through the roof. The U.S. and EU economies have been tanking, thanks to Biden and NATO’s bad call in Ukraine having the West over a…barrel. Funny, how the U.S. delegation is now addressing Maduro as president. Five failed coup attempts and two botched assassinations are sure to make that chat a little awkward. From the bottom of my little black heart, I do find humor.
Venezuela has been under brutal sanctions since Trump and Obama before. Nearly 60,000 people have died since Trump’s sanctions and Biden didn’t let up. Starting oil operations again will be a huge boom but the Venezuelans aren’t stupid. They know that the U.S. has never met a treaty or deal it didn’t later blow its nose with, but they have Venezuelan lives they’re responsible for. That being said, they must also demand a return of all stolen assets, including the Citgo gas franchises and $1.2 billion in gold bullion stolen out of U.K. banks. They should get as much as they can while they sit in the cat bird’s seat.
A quick sum up: I know there are some people who say, “but they’re socialist and that’s why their government isn’t working!
1) No. Sanctions are not check fee penalties. They are illegal and an act of war. They deprive a nation of trading partners and import/export opportunities. They stop the flow of food, medicine, parts to repair cars, oil equipment, housing, anything a society needs to function.
2) Like capitalism works? I’ll write more on that topic but for starters, let’s look at “capitalist” Colombia just next door. 50% poverty rate (Venezuela is 40%, despite sanctions), rigged elections, murdered journalists, labor leaders and campesinos in the hundreds, if not thousands, and rampant unemployment. Sounds like we need to impose sanctions and invade for regime change!
I’m looking forward to Venezuela, Iran, Russia, China or any other sovereign the U.S. has been bullying for decades with its hegemonic reserve currency status. Sure, it will hurt us badly, but it’s always interesting to see the 12 year-olds fill out and start varsity. Maybe we’ll finally learn this time.
Abe Abdelhadi hosts the Bitter Truth with Abe Abdelhadi on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, etc.