[News] Venezuela’s election in the crosshairs of new US regime change scheme

Sat Mar 16 16:05:20 EDT 2024

peoplesdispatch.org
<https://peoplesdispatch.org/2024/03/15/venezuelas-election-in-the-crosshairs-of-new-us-regime-change-scheme/>
Venezuela’s election in the crosshairs of new US regime change scheme
Zoe Alexandra, Walter Smolarek
March 16, 2024
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[image: Nicolas-Maduro-Venezuela-elections-2024.jpg]

Nicolás Maduro received by thousands in the city of Maturín. Photo: Nicolás
Maduro/ X

Twenty-five years after Hugo Chávez took office and began the Bolivarian
Revolution
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BOrft9dKcPOE9pGKifNfv8uipCk1PsrkSjKbiImbj9gxOYc-2F2M88G3jgzP2IgFJYXFbNpGDtNB-2FO6Ok4QfbpI-2BrPBgnIrqifZdvZcywpK-2FUIT-2Bcjr1UM7dun-2BpUSG1pF5A-3D-3D7tNP_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipo32zAbLdZnwaraEiqPMsrMFB1JALjlR83cYbmnJeNsvehDA6YWBlUGK2b3Gx4ZJi0c-2BvO0n68SXMl-2FfeabD6FxtUoXJ7H60-2BUV9FExzovW-2BfrKQcJXamRaMK7eZkN-2FFGlV-2Fn-2BoD13zI-2BnUwJvBl20358-2F4iXU0scB4yKeK74J4FEhTTwQBY0QO-2BHuTqD1G-2Bjp6ItGlZzlmtuzAg7ePOjX6GHWPDtJq5XL1X9ks-2F-2B4U0>
in Venezuela, US officials have still not tired of dreaming up new plots to
overthrow the country’s government. Five years ago, following the last
presidential election, they attempted to install Juan Guaidó—a politician
most Venezuelans had never even heard of—as the country’s head of state.
And now, with the date for the next presidential election officially set
for July 28, the Biden administration is gearing up for the biggest
regime-change push since the Guaidó coup attempt.

Venezuela has long been a target for US intervention because of its efforts
to build an alternative model to the neoliberal capitalism pushed by
institutions like the IMF and World Bank. First theorized and implemented
under the leadership of Chávez, the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela puts
forward a new model that emphasizes using the country’s resources, such as
its oil revenue, to fund crucial missions. These then guarantee rights such
as education, food, housing, transportation, culture, and sports to
historically excluded majorities, to decrease longstanding socioeconomic
inequality. A central part of the Bolivarian Revolution is the political
and cultural transformation of the people through the promotion of
Venezuelan national culture, internationalism, anti-imperialism, and the
empowerment of all people as political subjects with rights and
responsibilities. It is a project in direct contradiction to US interests
in the oil-rich country and the region Washington considers its backyard.
*The 2024 elections*

President Nicolás Maduro is running for re-election as the candidate of the
United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the broader Great Patriotic
Pole coalition. He has built his campaign around a program
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referred to as the “Seven Transformations,”
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.9L9uVW90WBJrLSZHQsrhBiOsHpDEKblT1WeNnpELXLgoKDqWNkGYtHm3A7AX-2F-2F1hP9D7roq6-2FgQhzyJqjY-2FB8k6rcatlUFSotQPu0-2B4frf-2Bo9ckk-2FbcXIH2jyJ0TMH2t6qy99H8Hhz-2BI3qSY8Jhlzggtl1A3QvsGATp0g6yF5ms-3DFAvp_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipkCfmQf41oAFh3p9Ax-2FMeEplKcDJXd-2Fz0Z8YOs3hYzIiD0QVYr-2F4qDERSFHJHfUg22rP4nfDjJM-2BgcDfPn-2B-2FWnL4rdO22unXHszpOjLQPYgm96SgOjopc4aYXVOv-2BuBReYRPc1E4Ss-2F2n3MMemKGq3fBO2kw8kMeC53DWMB3st21Vh1V71rSTEiem0uc9pY4U3UTHDpfdA-2Fy-2BLg5UtSGDVg1Z9o2c-2BZlhsPd7EfXgwhE>
proposing major new initiatives in the fields of economic modernization,
asserting national sovereignty, safety and security, ensuring social
rights, political participation, the environment, and geopolitics. These
aim to maintain the pro-poor, socialist orientation of the country’s
development model while enacting reforms to stimulate greater economic
activity and counteract the impact of crippling US sanctions.

The opposition is divided into several different camps. The largest
coalition of opposition parties is called the Unitary Platform and consists
of parties or factions of parties controlled by the Venezuelan elite who
were displaced from positions of power as a result of the Bolivarian
Revolution. The Unitary Platform has taken part in several rounds of
negotiations with the government over the past year leading up to the
elections and signed an agreement last October known as the “Barbados
Agreement.”

In this agreement, the opposition was granted concessions on issues related
to the organization of the electoral process, and in exchange, the United
States agreed to loosen some sanctions relating to Venezuela’s oil and
mining industries. The Barbados Agreement stipulated that only opposition
figures who are eligible according to existing laws would be permitted to
run. At this stage, the Unitary Platform has not chosen a candidate.

The specifics of how the electoral process will be carried out, regulations
on campaigning on media platforms, participation of electoral observers,
and the updating of electoral rolls were outlined in an agreement signed on
February 28
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The agreement was the product of dialogue among over 150 political and
social organizations and was based on over 500 proposals. Ninety-seven
percent of the political parties registered with the National Electoral
Council participated.

Nonetheless, US officials have presented this electoral process, subject to
such extensive deliberation and approved with such wide support, as an
attack on democracy.
*María Corina Machado and the fraud narrative*

The approach of the US government follows a familiar script—wage a campaign
in the media and through international organizations to cast doubt on the
integrity of the electoral process so relentlessly that the result can be
presented as fraudulent no matter what the actual evidence is on election
day.

The key piece of the “electoral fraud” narrative is already in place and
revolves around the disqualification of the opposition figure María Corina
Machado.

Machado is the oldest daughter of Henrique Machado Zuloaga, who was an
executive of Sivensa. One of Venezuela’s largest steel companies, Sivensa
was nationalized in 2008 under Hugo Chávez. Since the start of the
Bolivarian Revolution, Machado has been active in the right-wing opposition
and has gone so far as to support destabilization campaigns and attempts to
overthrow Venezuela’s democratically elected governments. She served as a
member of Venezuela’s National Assembly from 2011-2014.

In July 2015, the Venezuelan comptroller general’s office announced that
Machado was barred
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from holding public office for a period of one year after neglecting to
disclose the extent of her earnings while she held public office.

The investigations into Machado continued. In July 2023, opposition deputy
José Brito requested an update on Machado’s eligibility for holding public
office given the upcoming presidential election and her stated intention to
run. The comptroller general’s office responded, confirming that the
disqualification of Machado was maintained and constituted a 15-year ban
due to her support of regime change plots.

Though she initially refused to participate in the process, Machado
appealed her ban through the Barbados Agreement procedure, which also
stated that all candidates must defend Venezuela’s independence and reject
violent actions against the government. In January 2024, the Supreme Court
of Venezuela issued a sentence rejecting Machado’s appeal of the ban
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.

The Biden administration immediately sought to use economic coercion to
undermine this decision by an institution of Venezuela, a sovereign state.
As part of the Barbados Agreement, the US government issued licenses to
certain oil companies permitting them to resume operations in Venezuela
despite the sanctions. At the end of January, the State Department
announced that the sanctions waivers issued to these companies would not be
renewed once they expire on April 18.

At the same time, there is endless media reinforcement of the position that
an election without Machado cannot be considered legitimate. On January 30,
a few days after the Supreme Court rejected her appeal, Machado went on the
television network CNN and was presented to viewers as “Venezuela’s main
opposition leader.”
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BC6HZGMniYA-2FeYDTe0Xe7EPrRwxO03SMDTN8ZTpBXKpy9RP8SeMlZgsCUNlNHqhpSz77M8jh6V-2FXSjFfqI2-2BdWbtSD8P-2BQey2Vn7AnfqlT0UNXFz_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQiprsiMYU57DwvM6CkVclwyvV0yV320FEDxIKfa1mmirtJ54YfUOfk3tSmmSclFiqhTgs1cSar8Eqd2v3FchmQhGhzkahNliQwcajdFTxr23CbcB-2B61ueMCXzmg2RMHy5v0InY13tlxCK3WEwokURmVjJvlTLXiH1MiAqFD-2BHshz4OOT8c7dakw3u4qlDcLNsiC5gJ5OXMMu2SXj8bc-2BhW7l0Md3-2F3Mzh4TAWMtqEr0uqa>
An earlier Washington Post article is also typical of this narrative,
headlined, “She’s the front-runner in the race to oust Maduro. He’s out to
block her.”
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BKREhaCjtfJhocJ1GS-2F6htTEGGi6I1HqwGhTCwArcZrbOijtMiLE2xmOKzKDiLUhcLQ6DnKkQ-2F7JtFou8xf-2BBIDlrOBbeWoo-2BRZGMRlnFHTh9FFgFmFyAjLPaIyBV4h4Jw-3D-3DDj1V_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQiplC533tHJ80asQ5UHGXNwraGcnxKNTKmzVdvbqkW5361cpiWSRNDQesi1HjR5qJaL8JtvmDdog4pyFaGrZv0g-2F8mdYRJTxp4Ad1CbSIPaiRCuUvlOGi1d9KGSAdjI9cr1lyliWBRaoxiruCzRchzoEouj-2Bj1gFqjYMkTvsMfE057L77ZMkU5RL-2BPPkXQqOY4kDg4IZGwAz3PiN2M9oWtS9bDXrQ0ir7c6y2lg-2BPSvolJ>
This combination of economic and political pressure is what has led to
explosions in right-wing street violence in the past, following the 2013
presidential election when Maduro was first elected.
*Machado: Regime change operative?*

In 2002, following the short-lived coup d’état against Chávez, Machado
signed the decree which established an unelected government under chamber
of commerce head Pedro Carmona. In 2005 she met with former US president
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BM11uD-2Bl5dkOH1v8DBcoBiD-2FmZoD3YWbuzZICFLq8Dq8-2BvtLin6IZCrb4xmqz3q-2B-2Bg-3D-3D6let_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipgnG4sT1-2Fyi3RNsBnnAG-2BkSRQj-2Bl1P0JGoyRzKZch9ex1HaCbgIPuX88xhDLgg0KI0kimPwpBYwgT8An7jKJjoG8kpzoMygIYcj4cX6TRie-2BHvrOzSHsXL-2FMWNeffB1zSMxbc5O0RyRgG7QkiBFkfd02SGY8b8NJHAaSeL9bLWR8TaJRyg2pNUY5ew8HYlzdAT89owy66QU7W9bK411kP9BBDQiVJcEuaFGakvdGLmOJ>
George W. Bush at the White House to discuss “democracy” (i.e., the
overthrow of the Venezuelan government) More recently, she has been a key
supporter and leader of the numerous right-wing plots to overthrow the
democratically elected President Nicolás Maduro. These include the 2014 and
2017 *guarimba*
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BM11uD-2Bl5dkOH1v8DBcoBiD-2FmZoD3YWbuzZICFLq8Dq89ouuktORLVUfS1KqQJEb6w-3D-3Di7DZ_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipprR2wLJnwLTzWTflxi-2BQtltdNH1mZH-2FIDX0BR9bAPoCs6QJnzZy9rnukTygCLRd9ovJ9a1YrW5i5N63EfY-2BjRBA2czvsE5bYilahzmO9m8wXEUby-2FDp9E2bGCNAeUom44T5g4d9oVTyN5TQuHtTK9yeZqCPd56L7kINnp3qd6OXfepBiswtYyLZvJhi206Ls5l1DdfoIPzaKx-2BrCSYC6HQht0rNUIBykt8HGuCu4Q-2Fj>
protests which saw extreme violence against security forces and chavista
supporters, as well as the destruction of infrastructure.

In 2014, Machado was removed from her post in the National Assembly after
she attended a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the
place of the Panamanian representative
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BL6HEA1UVbVxNpg1LE6LNdz-2Fe0kWQjX-2BLWkArGS0Mixi47JWqpLiWVA29HbphkxtYPtmQjlU-2BcXc3unSFZDkrbkTPeTJOK0Lw-2BtP8NQckByBlUhAqkcMGVjgkppuRK3k5w-3D-3DC2Bg_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipuH4mTvIAePETNXCpV56-2FBepwCUx9y9AqbS9NppKBffIUhb9kJ5ouQx52wzOYb3YDfRmQjcXhs0gTKybCpcYK8TfMzXeHuMpAt0S-2BaV-2FAdTpvGmdwmkcx26Czy9gLCAIXFvUwRs-2Ba-2BOn9xCi1ji1nWvQzZ01u1dH1mCrMNDkgqVjBoWJSs4s5DZdhnPm9hax6piJFv28ZLGVm1GVOEELp-2F9Bf8r5-2FuUnrZcBdlSoYsKj>
in order to testify about 2014 protests, to speak out against the
government, and to call for foreign support for her cause. The move was
widely condemned as a violation of both the Venezuelan constitution and
Panamanian law, and in response, Panamanian civil society and movement
organizations filed a lawsuit
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BM11uD-2Bl5dkOH1v8DBcoBiD4hFr-2FyVi830Qnh2Q7xMmvBuMXfgn54pPwaHvljs5ytg-3D-3DtEYt_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipkk-2FJhRSDMpHOA6jql-2Fu8Qx-2BlSzUwrEgu3KjKfa2tX-2Bhd0wREHFmE02PGJdV5homwHX4XV5ubR2Mzf13ZSeWc3OMNtGX8NcHitk5U7KHRZFKlQA4vEb1nLB5oK0rp2SFwzSegVRkzL5xrzb9eFa0YGuGW1esER0Hc8X3L7-2B3bjQ5CVvYDc4z9wv-2B6B7Oqb6keNIKvyTC3BZKZ4SyM4AqESbgOqNFGVMxJDkXFV2L8w0k>
against her for usurping a public post
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BLtdRtIiK9nGFtNDIaNWm7nbOQe8hV36wGueIQtsfUzVeymqfBDj5H3jSNo6LpKV0aoFU50aB6gOb72icebkcZrkEi81XIz-2B5pDgwE81UvXqs1pmXUFB5uodk0jttc-2F3aXmD75WCC2UHIjuoP9tNxM0-3D4MM5_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipl-2FQ4X2krzH8bOnrYfnsGsh0BI60QBsC0sc6tYpXPLioP5mJn-2BfpsH9H0msGCnygkmptYUch8ijmyRPMNg111IHjd-2BXTpighW19l7nLQ4-2FJMcgo-2F-2Fn6huXXEZvUMG4CfDnLUku4oErv6zFjUjPMYe-2B43Q0cbWEfQN1INs57n6kfST0zazuCIdIw1nuLbisHm9iAYQzxeVGbUUSuUSZxc4tQbPog0RGpwcpB7DuJ6Sj8A>
.

Machado has also celebrated
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BB9mDACCEFegXUWKyQ-2BhaBRtJhWflTtSQDPqshdpb-2BxaOqR8GQ9G0YZjQPi1by-2BZSAdPkp8J8dqQzYxosn3XT58-3DKFfy_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipoag02G4W-2F766JcP4T-2Bwu06H9BdT4LriYQzyRE2PQyDcD49g-2FZ6WKejIrNV6HvXEwNHPnhS3zb7C-2B9IBF5QeZ9ncPa0VywHdlejogap0lFfNRD82fnlrSaAm699Jzm0A0k1vHttyn6of2zsfAhP7BMedJ1O-2Bpo2fa-2Fu-2BZ1beZ7DQ3tYjjdahdLpe0vXtyxsGY25VltH-2F147177dRWcNRGRUbA22jdqXiMebA-2FxYXygTz>
the effectiveness of the illegal sanctions regime imposed on Venezuela in
applying political pressure for regime change, and on several occasions, has
called for even more sanctions
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BB9mDACCEFegXUWKyQ-2BhaBRtJhWflTtSQDPqshdpb-2Bxanw1RqUF3pZVVzxAVjvQtqbtuzd4u8raLYv-2Bt8Yo3dCU-3DwIsq_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQiphgJYue9D-2FzpOme39Z41sa8DMmMVrVx-2B33F5E7MYh9QZz9NxicSwyreu81mzM7dJnlviwWPi9sLWc4AMabEcadB957dEJ-2BvNAIb6-2Fr6NQgi7p8YEYFSDZGMHZBotNNunCPM1xMPEFZsrYSu5zNdPj-2BqqThz2gw88lf-2Fb4pAw3eZdUzUkseecCFytU9S2SN-2FEXwLH7DsCoS-2BIEkLEAUG1COsa2FQ1LJhzZvfISU5b6275>.
The sanctions have had devastating consequences for the Venezuelan people,
well documented by different UN bodies and rapporteurs
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BDkt2q3uRNpegaSG-2BLSjD-2FQqs-2FKnHFqyxrZvT3hWySM86LmhSvla8aimadpFB04kCl1IlhlJprUxUvhmFq0YRQBZN7nqclhaeZkNTeX1cIv2mklHj7b5NvSCVbZ8nc5BKw3hiTE4IUaWLBr7piz-2FHE7LEyGIcvZFBEpGhLhkDT-2Bq8qbwSlcevZ5JR-2BzDxdd70A-3D-3DVgLS_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipgkoYrhuttA0MyS17rRDlGs-2Faiy-2BZ12QFga5kJrY230Wwcc6Ks4MQWClfkSsa7oYANE70HJDC0Emb5MgTJWcGQU9JjjUrcpuXEeGZojZBLhCInqZ5lgszOGwnt4WHXV8T9j6fgYejUDfNMwUBk-2FGHa0O1IG6PZ0RO9KhYvL-2FWtjdtcOA-2BWDgAhMLbwBpYsjF0mcXaUPmy51vp8yLr47a8K-2BYwjJrkeWqMka3WTjaeSxr>
, human rights organizations
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BHd4S1fdvvGkc1r90wTHEIWF-2FVmz11HiUp9X49e7WUKyqnu0_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipguyxT-2FsfSgD9WR4pBsvcBYDgHiweBH3cnh1vVZ78G2idP9dy-2FUpyKgAl8zr68F1wOh9KJCEilTSn8A7TjObRTAdgxqUSgL-2Bv1DYzuuXk9sAe9sgCFJspFS-2FlQZ-2B4Z7YaOvHU-2B5MS332GNqnTRD65asGhJ5SKn9W-2BTOZs4pDM-2BCYUhWIfya9KCF4trhWKe1Y3JcxQ-2FyzUG00ztwFib7XCc0zWGCGtkhrN0DF4HnZnWqY>,
and think tanks
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BIaV1A87vwJhlG9wCc5bWdQ4dObmyxhcwqxeqrEvwZeECX9oBryrNNqQt70dGjqLQ6DZdhiuaEd0Ytwy3XqEs9vGP1qOaTfsygN5nJUDdPIP19uRlM1LDjsxMi4z1msFkA-3D-3Dii2h_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipmHijnmqVEr1M5ZTqTej5uI82uycKdYUGUHoOEGTAYpF6wavIuC7Cp4TlhiTrWHI7eUBgk5el5FbDfg2zeqx0F3ZoEu7r039bQQ-2FOMfMcayCYuCJ1c2-2Bi7Pgaeewf9w1QVcyUjSh2TMpDHt1u8ADx5heMGcaExexIbzBh6ngh6GuGXxHalx45Omc9Nx4ES81oUYKZYFgpv-2BepS6PrNsm9w-2FtYSkX8kk3dAk2dNk1HUbI>.
United Nations special rapporteur Alena Douhan noted that “[t]he announced
purpose of the ‘maximum pressure’ campaign—to change the Government of
Venezuela—violates the principle of sovereign equality of states and
constitutes an intervention in the domestic affairs of Venezuela that also
affects its regional relations.”

In 2019, Machado supported
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BB9mDACCEFegXUWKyQ-2BhaBRtJhWflTtSQDPqshdpb-2BxaRQTo16HjfkT5u8Jp7KWBAMO8xpRidmmyn4jhpSBemLo-3DKdNQ_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipv38K4yI29h-2FCGoR-2FjpW9Ai41u7gUYkuvSQgp4FjuKy3xeRT0NX39FeXmu8TLnkkWuSnv3qAKifV-2FY01uNW6Z0jZn7BeyZI2-2Ftb7DaIL8BqMz7DEFUMX1pIwPcRVjiRt3ei6QkU8cwGgMb4cYq2iMD1QnJtNebaUWGqbkYcbSfjB-2B6J6mzD48Pnm4XKf9TzYTOHD2QJh6IQMwWhAxu5-2BnRYy4CDGqPR-2FRa-2FERpGGnQhg>
the push by Juan Guaidó’s parallel, fictitious government to request that
the OAS apply the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BOrft9dKcPOE9pGKifNfv8ugv4-2FrRU11JNVIJZVL6E6u2nqORBGdr7sxMMbZtKqvaHENUQzS4Oa7JYn1phxHEwX998CYKfbDf75d5YiPNz5YhwjiX-2F8AAGiJEgRSmKbsR4ZtvlxC7XgF2TXRsxgAEEldnrw9U2G2g2qwI7qnl03o1SFQ_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipgEFWS59XvEC6GQNp0OUSk9DsDcxe5E4Y7odb38La87yG-2B-2BFE5bSDpX9TOLVRXfHjiwhNI-2BkGTvHt5-2FgLAP9WJKh3kJdN4DFLiMeFY8yxjXep6Z-2FzyfkcpR8sIR6oaprYkArpoBlL0iChweOd2C7pA43t9tfvi5tml4EiIR2lJcwkbrQMUY9S-2F78hmlXveUIsA5d2gN-2FDjmcqjH0sMKvCsV4N2WwOHCxBkRP07aOVQ-2B4>
(TIAR) against Venezuela to end the “usurpation of power” by Maduro. The
activation of TIAR would have provided a legal justification for foreign
military intervention, (more) economic sanctions, and a commercial blockade.

Machado participated and benefitted from the looting of the state companies
and assets that the Guaidó “government” had illegally seized
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BOrft9dKcPOE9pGKifNfv8v1hNyGUX1Xk4S6RWGwg5LbqUZKE-2FGaosxqy-2Fekrf9Kvu-2BrFw0UWFqIUNGGwsHXmMQM8KEdBUwsWVdxiZtybG-2FE59ewDSC8aTh2muoKivJlQeI1yzcbQbDU05nWZmEzjvY-3DUx1R_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipnLgIiWCwilHbNT9Zd1hHGmj8agX5GildSnywyjiV-2BBJKMd9uyboYt2-2B1temLeXd0kfVTldhK0xscpf-2FpcUrdG9LNz7Bhrq2Z7KrGKSuqvafGckNGDXw0MoaeljOQyuhQ7wxx28CkO-2B0d-2F7-2FKKJDYP0Wi69a9W-2Bt4NdOdYiy2Pvg5EPL7nn0R-2BgHoPbDV4xbCi4Oyxk2oM80mQUQIbsIlcwGaEmqU-2FK-2Fuavf2oXiLwFd>
such as Monomeros
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BOrft9dKcPOE9pGKifNfv8vA7H-2BFrXySPqf8QDRPnjHg4zv3yVGbvVfZSz77ScvcABpP-2FesnvLwySKY4-2BCHaReWFjDYaoY3YufzLVdv-2FrDxV0cpHdLSvA6DYnqHeXCjXGz1VLdNQt1zJ2OuBEu0lqrw-2F2YGZE6M9Q1e5xMuoQI44CWrtUqXcqoZZehYltnDr9Q-3D-3DKOns_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipq86iG1wr-2BlymaqznEqlLTdAsezT80iSUPZLMLfil0XpOJgKn-2B9aKYv8jYMKlTnwrjBIAf7aEflNjZX34937g5Y6n26R3Y5ovYSyKIkk4xfMKbPyj1bc840C9YH8om5H3BA0Q8GhEs2PfcsQtMNjgxksGpa6no1pDacYXwHIv94h1tflVQ11ZYpXqQI6aA-2BEqnBLSNMGb79Ck-2FuCaOfEke-2FA185IxCTaEBGNu4Qbym4g>
and CITGO.
*US seeks to delegitimize Venezuela’s democracy*

An examination of the actual facts of Machado’s political career shows how
the truth is much more complicated than the mainstream narrative about a
government baselessly repressing an opponent.

After years of political instability caused by right-wing plots to
overthrow the democratically elected government and even assassinate the
leader
<https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BOrft9dKcPOE9pGKifNfv8twtFsC6HJl59OqCGSdBEqa4-2FGYQ7E-2B-2B1a6jN5-2F744VTABpznMz62MFSpDBnmVRN2N7uNZjiqVE6XbnpidnbZ-2BUeC1i5SFe1BI4RH8scnQSNElQHsAN8c0-2Fq7IvJTOR7MDSPhBPuV572pyfa1h6lBhNdSBn_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipvZ-2FmHqdZfx42yFxSrZrvuVBZ4UVfELwgqlsXXw4DuftZQaOFyrMykag6nk-2BL0Q4C7C45BfC57BHXcOFxUUuT2jqNcznzpi2B77QdT5YfkljqChrUKx8hxSkuqsMuNqzQ3HdHW63-2FfLdEa1KxBM4qpfd3hv6R-2FDriSrf-2BNOoXABLhmQ3dwu1P6n4sGDGSl0csl0vxgYKXaiR1qRZ-2BJK0a9YEDnFnzrPSgToXxHqd7CeO>,
the Venezuelan government has pursued a straight-forward principle:
political forces of any ideological variety can participate in elections as
long as they do not conspire with foreign powers to undermine the
independence of Venezuela or its sovereign institutions. This is in line
with practices around the world. In the United States, for instance, there
has been a great deal of public attention to the clause of the 14th
Amendment that bars those guilty of insurrection from public office.

As the July 28 elections approach, tensions between the disparate elements
of the Venezuelan political scene are bound to intensify. But the Biden
administration is bound to be guided by the same overarching goal that has
animated the policy decisions of Democratic and Republican administrations
alike—remove from power one of the most long-standing opponents of
Washington’s dominant role in the western hemisphere.

*Zoe Alexandra is the co-editor of Peoples Dispatch.*

*Walter Smolarek is the editor of Liberation News.*

*This article was produced by Globetrotter
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