Lessons from Venezuela

It’s been three months since the United States government officially recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

“Today, I am officially recognizing the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, as the Interim President of Venezuela. In its role as the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people, the National Assembly invoked the country’s constitution to declare Nicolás Maduro illegitimate, and the office of the presidency therefore vacant,” President Trump said in January.

“The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law. I will continue to use the full weight of United States economic and diplomatic power to press for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy,” he continued.

Not to be confused with a coup, Guaidó was duly put into power by the National Assembly and is backed by the vast majority of the Venezuelan people. Using the Venezuelan Constitution, Guaidó came into his position legally and through an established process.Regardless, the transition of power from dictator Maduro to President Guaidó has been a violent one, dragged out by Venezuelan military leaders who have been bought off. Not to mention the geopolitical factors of the situation. Maduro, who has been able to maintain power throughout years of fraudulent “elections” in the country, is backed by Russia, China, Iran and personally protected by Cuban gangs. Guaidó is backed by U.S. allies Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Israel, Canada and others. For the sake of democracy alone, the choice here is obvious.