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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://peoplesdispatch.org/2024/03/15/venezuelas-election-in-the-crosshairs-of-new-us-regime-change-scheme/">peoplesdispatch.org</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Venezuela’s election in the crosshairs of new US regime change scheme</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Zoe Alexandra, Walter Smolarek</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">March 16, 2024<br></div>
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<div class="gmail-content">
<div class="gmail-moz-reader-content gmail-reader-show-element"><div id="gmail-readability-page-1" class="gmail-page"><img src="cid:ii_ltuiofwz0" alt="Nicolas-Maduro-Venezuela-elections-2024.jpg" width="450" height="256"><br><p>Nicolás Maduro received by thousands in the city of Maturín. Photo: Nicolás Maduro/ X
</p><div>
<p>Twenty-five years after Hugo Chávez took office and began the<a href="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"> Bolivarian Revolution</a>
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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h3><b>The 2024 elections</b></h3>
<p>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<a href="https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BB-2FWukGpNhF9JFfPWhFRvpew4FKiueZf3XGejl-2BRf4EQF9W7ImK-2BEYkh08xVCNy0MRETzHXOVCdN3FvU59Cz2DIv9fU-2FoP3HBLhVLkGtS-2F22hHlN460amPAkD3W-2BQ8HgGEBAH1rStcMkkzh5CC9Vmng-3DB0uK_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipmAMZzkEYfzSENBuNXAWv1CW0Wtx55-2BvLltlMT9w0-2FRkf1MTy73KxnikJY6L30Cek5jGPjd-2Bejffs9NoSes0vrh-2BVfamdjfw-2Bx9UJlDxIirv6EdrX4umn-2BwNxK-2F9R8K36kq1SaPWEyBE9s3bXHLleJZFTyAJ6B0OEZXRzdukrV0XGKPlIOQZX4A4jxyzX-2BrBeXzSVOPUIZrrkhDXKTuPD1caeEiEwfqkRxEZKBsNqKB5"> program</a> referred to as the<a href="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"> “Seven Transformations,”</a>
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.</p>
<p>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.”</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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<a href="https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BJofctKQ65yyiF3IXUNxN5DvwoEV6idgfkgZiqonkIjyZRCrVz-2BxCPWH0TXWCpOGRBltKI-2FzM0PwJupFOJlIZARvk6GHwdNfx2nnMtrWS-2FvoED4dsMxgH7U094jeNiwtfl5VkrVOoakJ01aW6D0meqGsiqK8uq8OTX0xPtkrKtPzV4AT_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipuce-2FT-2FtH6jOCUzBkYT6rnATImuBeuIZ9tBF1s40gcBLbb9BliiXlCiplIMNN67qkV8l4JhMOoGnOzWCrk1xwINzcs9A-2BcP-2BFCCSjCDF45HB3d-2F2cLKHlJB0KglwmLNISMqF87b0CQ6CrkTGB7OLAjDrJKnLIe4bs0bxtvlCLKupKbr-2Flsv7nRQEnhAgdKHS5dC-2B-2F3ADoNuJYS-2BTkeQXvPPOF-2BtfAdmwa0geGYyNNWPa"> an agreement signed on February 28</a>.
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.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, US officials have presented this electoral process,
subject to such extensive deliberation and approved with such wide
support, as an attack on democracy.</p>
<h3><b>María Corina Machado and the fraud narrative</b></h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The key piece of the “electoral fraud” narrative is already in place
and revolves around the disqualification of the opposition figure María
Corina Machado.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>In July 2015, the Venezuelan comptroller general’s office<a href="https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BM11uD-2Bl5dkOH1v8DBcoBiAL312aEEZIdqtbrjic8poplglgBxDI64iJvZi0-2B95ZYg-3D-3DUFEX_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQiprzqY5wUiEge5ZwWS3DRRUe5WEKEujz8K8ZmzItZnfb2E6aXXcvjH05F53ITgsLNUdwmF2QIORVG-2BxJ6Q7Fjoa-2BYTeYxfvWPmDq0T8JYojKSSmlBPqwdXam2hKmUT99M7Rhf7b4qC3OmXcdjdhcGZCJj1PX-2BJS46qRMd2B2TKEIfDjHmIGjAyUEEx7PRfXCthPbjzI7q4ZjAwjWYfhJAjsB39ZNFO6vAHpKiUZT685Ch"> announced that Machado was barred</a>
from holding public office for a period of one year after neglecting to
disclose the extent of her earnings while she held public office.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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<a href="https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BB-2FWukGpNhF9JFfPWhFRvpfdnk5LhCmiDhlcnJjylQ42qgzAN23IXkd-2FfvZ-2BkVhs4WbJ9ioImPkSEP2FDDwKTXRhM9ZK4b740aGLqvGNEpBz4FP21cO1aEfR6L-2Fusawc1gUswcXXmdGw1IvvCoRZ16k-3DAUOA_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipl-2BpjeoGFTC8bfKwzFqXKi7EP-2BduHrx8vBmXVvRfeOxXAzylBoihKCeXwNQT20s1y-2Fi9vjwU7x68p8ODKkrCHYkmkbogCGi7Ce8OK6X2sxLbfNgsKXIh1gdGtnx-2FgNc3uQ-2FRJgfdbWWYZQ4nG-2BbsTYxYuuEx0tAjUMxnTKa8R5V0SskJ-2BOz5VQUXVclIzFW6cE1LOCfHaYqQspKIw4wpjL32oNNaCsNeDL-2Fm0gbJrxdP"> sentence rejecting Machado’s appeal of the ban</a>.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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<a href="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"> “Venezuela’s main opposition leader.”</a> An earlier Washington Post article is also typical of this narrative, headlined,<a href="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"> “She’s the front-runner in the race to oust Maduro. He’s out to block her.”</a>
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.</p>
<h3><b>Machado: Regime change operative?</b></h3>
<p>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<a href="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"> met with former US president</a>
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<a href="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"> <i>guarimba</i></a>
protests which saw extreme violence against security forces and
chavista supporters, as well as the destruction of infrastructure.</p>
<p>In 2014, Machado was removed from her post in the National Assembly
after she attended a meeting of the Organization of American States
(OAS)<a href="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 the place of the Panamanian representative</a>
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<a href="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"> filed a lawsuit</a> against her for<a href="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"> usurping a public post</a>.</p>
<p>Machado has also<a href="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"> celebrated</a>
the effectiveness of the illegal sanctions regime imposed on Venezuela
in applying political pressure for regime change, and on several
occasions, has<a href="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"> called for even more sanctions</a>. The sanctions have had devastating consequences for the Venezuelan people, well documented by different UN bodies and<a href="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"> rapporteurs</a>,<a href="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"> human rights organizations</a>, and<a href="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"> think tanks</a>.
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.”</p>
<p>In 2019, Machado<a href="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"> supported</a> the push by Juan Guaidó’s parallel, fictitious government to<a href="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"> request that the OAS apply the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance</a>
(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.</p>
<p>Machado participated and benefitted from the looting of the state companies and assets that the<a href="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"> Guaidó “government” had illegally seized</a> such as<a href="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"> Monomeros</a> and CITGO.</p>
<h3><b>US seeks to delegitimize Venezuela’s democracy</b></h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>After years of political instability caused by right-wing plots to overthrow the democratically elected government and<a href="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"> even assassinate the leader</a>,
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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><em><strong>Zoe Alexandra</strong> is the co-editor of Peoples Dispatch.</em></p>
<p><em><strong>Walter Smolarek</strong> is the editor of Liberation News.</em></p>
<p><em>This article was produced by<a href="https://u36605228.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.irwnA1ZB8N-2BHNL3jUmYY-2BP-2FIDw7VNntrTNQwOxWf7z0UZvPHm9O11yfTv1AExSc4gPEh_BPnWrESgs2YeQG63Rip-2F4JnnTQYbKm7SiPtzCSQ9uiolSN1ujXVtEveoAnPaoCgJjDx9qDTrIm0y9yilYej-2FgKc1yCujbKPTnzeSDmTjJDNuvu8IAhxRgV6kn-2BQ7ulc7pqZmKhIH2XyTi5LfaIpTWZ7SAUfY5qoGTcnt5rVEoQnzgAxE0CxXAk6X2nf3p4X2mG31C713Frt8awKA8JCb4XoKXwwXin7iws7gsAkvYps3h2yQEBhE2-2FxkwkeCG9zquzuLmR1a8l0MKXUoahfDEIxip8exdDjEmv2JgdcFuPOMzV8Zi4LyQRNIAT2eTOAON1QCZUhWb1FF1D6CZ-2Bf-2BaN1Hh8JLtMriAdJpQuBR3xDbQj30d8Dytmzs0OsHl9w5pJPuDV7RDrCYYmImrva3obW-2BpFqe6ajajvkNjlddj2BwjWBZbVZUmaoeCB09aReW1LLMqC7CNfzHv4zAtZiJM-2BdviX-2Bpa1fIjeFrzZw0cb7d4y9vxsVnkuUYucnUi55AgWIh42v9XbQXYkGDJTINXZhmuhv11F0xNGRPTzjny-2Bn-2BE1EiNISL6mla6CoI-2BqTE1Y5BcBH1AQ5emGVvPHFyws8A8kQlNfP-2FopTYsuzclBsp-2FvL-2B7m492AEGp5oruXTAGicv-2B9o0o5kbVs0XAnQipqUuyXhiO8wX5VoZ0Nc927ipzdG4FqaJomU67bxkEUhl4k5pukjevxHP-2FvUkgr8UybNzJ0cj6QzF19iLnWYIBeuX3-2F8Zc30-2B9TOWrIFk0pZWOSaOyksC2LOgmEdqRWv4iY8qSEMVKFQiDoEBiwe5eWh7XCVwoYuLzv7u-2BlzWlzOLkQkbRwKCWlJ-2BELZRAEHxX04aF-2BC-2FYmyinUN0P-2F9Th8gn4LuGsBvCJ3V-2FMjgvoFbd"> Globetrotter</a>.</em></p>
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