Sunday’s fraudulent and illegitimate vote to install a constituent assembly in Venezuela is the definitive step towards consolidating a de jure dictatorship…
In the wake of the “elections,” several myths have been have been making the rounds…
1. Venezuela is on the brink of a civil war: In order to have a war, both sides need to be armed. In the case of Venezuela, only one side—the government—has the guns.
2. The army could withdraw its support for Maduro at any moment: This is wishful thinking. The Maduro government is a military regime, even though its head is technically a civilian.
3. A negotiated solution is the only alternative: The Maduro regime is not interested in giving up power. Any acceptable agreement for the opposition necessarily involves calling for free elections, which Maduro would certainly lose.
4. The country is deeply polarized: The rapidly deteriorating economic situation and the humanitarian crisis besieging the country have undermined support for the regime. Up to 80% of Venezuelans want Maduro gone.
5. Cuba can play a positive role in the solution of the Venezuelan crisis: Cuba is not a just an ally of Venezuela, Cuba is the puppet master of the Maduro regime — and Cuba has made it clear that it won’t allow its colony to slip from its control.
How should the U.S. respond to the arrival of true dictatorship in Venezuela?
It is difficult to conceive the successful installation of a full-fledged dictatorship when you have millions of Venezuelans adamantly opposed to such a move, and thousands of them protesting daily in the streets. However, the regime—with the collaboration of Cuba—has firm control over the armed forces and the National Guard. As long as that is the case, it is difficult to foresee any positive changes in the near future.