Open Letter on Venezuela

U.S. support for an attempted coup is condemned in a letter signed by 70 activists and experts.

The United States government must cease interfering in Venezuela’s internal politics, especially for the purpose of overthrowing the country’s government. Actions by the [von Clownstick] administration and its allies in the hemisphere are almost certain to make the situation in Venezuela worse, leading to unnecessary human suffering, violence, and instability.

Update (January 27):  It looks like other countries are willing to follow the U.S. lead and support the coup leader.

Update (January 28):  John Bolton says "all options are on the table" regarding Venezuela and his yellow notepad was spotted with the words "5000 troops to Columbia". Bolton had more bad news:

Pleased to hear that my good friend Elliott Abrams is rejoining State as Special Envoy for Venezuela. Welcome back to the fight.

Update (February 9):  The administration is holding secret talks with members of the Venezuelan military to urge them to support the coup.

Update (February 13):  Vijay Prashad argues the U.S. desire to overthrow the Venezuelan government comes down to "crush the alternative".

Key here is the idea that the United States must be the most powerful country in the world and that no one will be allowed to threaten this power militarily or with an alternative economic agenda. Chávez attempted an alternative in Venezuela and, worse for the United States, through the Bolivarian project across Latin America. The Bolivarians understood that there was no hope for their revolution if they remained within their borders. They had to build bridges with their neighbors on a new foundation.

Update (April 30):  Unfortunately, the situation may be heating up in Venezuela.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó launched his most drastic attempt yet to oust President Nicolás Maduro on Tuesday morning, when he appeared in front of armed forces and called for an uprising against the government.

The politics from Secretary Pompeo is so blatant.

Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operación Libertad. The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy. Democracy cannot be defeated.

Update (May 3):  U.S military intervention is still a possibility, but  Dave Lindorff describes the efforts this week as a failed coup.

Update (May 8):  Dave Lindorff goes further and reports that many of the facts about the so-called coup were simply made up.

The whole thing was a fraud, staged at the instigation of Washington in hopes that the Venezuelan people and rank-and-file troops would fall for the trick and think an actual coup was underway.

Update (June 6):  A leaked audio recording of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reveals his frustration with the failed coup.

Our conundrum, which is to keep the opposition united, has proven devilishly difficult.