By Joe Montero
In line with Donald Trump’s promised shift towards carving out Latin America as the sphere of influence of United States geopolitical ambitions and following threats to send the marines into Panama and Mexico, a flotilla of naval vessels has been to Venezuela’s coast. There is no hiding that Washington’s aim is to topple the elected government of this country and imposing one of its liking.
Marco Rubio has been quite candid about the possibility of invasion, or what he calls giving Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This is the kidnapping of the person in direct violation of international law and norms. Panamanian President Manuel Noriega was kidnapped in January 1990 for daring to stand up for his country’s sovereignty and control over the Panama Canal. He was imprisoned in the United States.
‘We are ready to fight’, Venezuela threatens US with war if US strikes from Caribbean
Video from Republic World
Then and now, these acts are an application of the Munroe Doctrine, imposed on 2 December 1823, the then president of this name. The doctrine asserted that the world is carved into spheres of influence and eventually interpreted to justify the United States’ role as the architect of the global order, and the right to control all American continents and Caribbean. The concept of American exceptualism is born out of this. This means that Washington is not bound by the rules binding other nations.
In these troubled times especially, the world has a responsibility to stand against aggression and attempts at imperialist control. These attacks heighten global tension and the risk of the outbreak of war.
Support for the elected government and President of Venezuela and opposition to attack of this sovereign nation are important. There have already been shows of support across the world and there will be much more in the future.
Under Trump and his backers, a new age of intervention in Latin America has arrived. It is not only Panama and Mexico. Brazil, Nicaragua, Peru, and other4 nations are under threat. Pressure on Cuba continues.
There is also the opportunity to profit. Taking over the Panama Canal is one example. But the possibility of grabbing the vast oil reserves off Venezuela’s coast, and eventually the world’s biggest deposit on the mainland, makes the mouths of shareholders and directors of Exxon water. Trump has already given the rights to the offshore reserves to the company and the 8 battleships, and a nuclear submarine, are now there to protect the theft.
Even more important is that Venezuela, since Hugo Chavez won the presidential election in 1998 and the rise of the popular Bolivarian revolution, Venezuela has been a thorn in the side of Washington’s ambitions. Venezuela encourages others to assert their sovereignty, and this is regarded as a serious threat to United States’ sphere of influence.
A reported 268 missiles and up to 4,000 marines and sailors at present are aimed at Venezuela. This is a clear threat. The line that this is all about tackling drug cartels and that Maduro is the head of one of the biggest of them is used as the cover to mollify gullible media outlets and smooth the consciousness of allies.
Maduro stings US president mid military threats to Venezuela
Video from Times of India
Military threat comes on top of years of economic warfare against Venezuela, coup attempts, military attacks, and acts of sabotage and terrorism. All this is well documented.
There are more immediate incentives driving Washington. The rise of BRICS and the consequent assertiveness of its members states, the matter of Iran, and the fact that Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was in Venezuela last week for high level talks on mutual support between the two countries and building economic cooperation.
Venezuela Deploys Warships, Marines Against U.S. Destroyers
Video from Times of India
Venezuela’s response has been to prepare its own armed forces, mobilise the formidable 4.5 and growing civilian militia, and may soon put the country on a war preparation footing. Its own warships, armed with missiles and drones have been sent to keep an eye on things and signal Venzuela’s preparedness to fight in the face of invasion. No doubt this will strengthen international support.
We must all support the right of the people of Venezuela to choose their own path