The Morning Rant: Our Goal In Venezuela Should Not Be The Creation Of a Jeffersonian Democracy

The Trump administration and the United States military has begun the process of freeing Venezuela from the self-imposed grip of communist dictators. But the goal for us should not be to release Venezuelans from their bondage, but to stop the flow of drugs into America, end Venezuela's interference in our domestic affairs, and stop the illegal movement of petroleum.

That our activity is finally allowing some semblance of a resistance in Venezuela to coalesce around American military power is very nice, but it is a bonus. And our activities should be focused on what is best for America, not necessarily what is best for Venezuela.

It is the people of Venezuela who must continue the fight against their totalitarian masters, and if that means taking to the streets in mass protest, with the very real risk of a violent response from the ruling junta, then so be it. American blood and treasure has been spent too profligately in the last 20+ years for us to do more than support Venezuelan freedom fighters as a consequence of our efforts to further American interests.

Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Maria Corina Machado Vows Return to Venezuela, Warns of Escalating Crackdown

She also issued sharp criticism of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday. Rodríguez has served as vice president under Maduro since 2018.

"Delcy Rodriguez, as you know, is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco trafficking," Machado said.

"She's the main ally and liaison with Russia, China, Iran, certainly not an individual that could be trusted by international investors. And she's really rejected, repudiated by the Venezuelan people."

The Trump administration's assumption that Delcy Rodríguez is the correct choice to maintain some semblance of continuity in government is an odd one, since she is simply a reflection of Maduro's fanatical anti-Americanism, and a willing participant in the evil perpetrated by the communist government. Hopefully she will be kept on a very short leash as the Venezuelan people do the work to dismantle communism. But even if Rodríguez remains in power, as long as our national security interests proceed, that is up to the people of Venezuela to remedy.

The real question is whether a communist dictatorship is structurally capable of functioning as an honest player on the world stage. The historical record suggests that the answer is a resounding "NO!" So communism in Venezuela will probably end if our goals are to be achieved. But that is a delightful bonus...not the end game.

[Crossposted at CutJibNewsletter and X/Twitter]. If you folks who are on X/Twitter would follow us it would be much appreciated!

posted by CBD at 11:00 AM

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