Four Important & Significant Actions Taken by US in Venezuela

Dr. Majid Mohammad Sharifi told the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations in an interview that since March, the Americans have taken four important steps regarding Venezuela, which has led analysts to believe that they want to take an important step in this country the dimensions of which are not known yet.

The US Justice Department has leveled heavy charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along with four members of the current and former governments, including terrorism and drug trafficking, corruption and money laundering.

After the United States leveled charges against the President of Panama and then toppled him, it is the first time the president of a country is facing such heavy charges.

The university professor said that a few days after the US move, Trump announced considering that certain countries are seeking to undermine the American society and by taking advantage of the corona outbreak import narcotics into the US, said Washington intends to double the number of anti-drug forces on the Caribbean Sea. The analyst added that Trump specifically referred to Maduro and strengthened its military capability by sending new military equipment to the area.

Implementation of Democratic Transition Plan by Coup Expert

Mohammad Sharifi called the US State Department’s “Democratic Transition Framework” for Venezuela the third step by the country, adding that the framework has been laid by Elliott Abrams, US special envoy for Venezuelan affairs. The background of his activities is overthrowing governments in other countries by coup d’état. According to the plan, the Transitional State Council will be formed with senior members of the Venezuelan government, without the presence of Juan Guido and Maduro, and the parties will form a governing council that will be in power for 12 months, after which the conditions must be prepared for free elections in Congress and the Presidency.

He added that although Abrams had previously mentioned in a note for the Wall Street Journal titled “A New Path towards Venezuelan Democracy” that Maduro could run after 12 months, Pompeo immediately reacted by saying he no longer had the right to run but that Juan Guido could run; analysts believed that if Guido nominates himself he would most likely win the election.

Attempts to Separate the Military from Maduro

The international affairs analyst said that the Americans had come to the conclusion that the most important base of power in the current Venezuelan government was its military. “With the policy they have been adhering the Americans are trying to separate the military from around Maduro and encourage them to join the opposition – A military that have been loyal to Maduro for many reasons, including economic issues. The military has been told that if they stop supporting Maduro and join the democratic plan, they will be forgiven for what they have done in the past, because they have been charged with serious crimes before.

He noted that there was debate on overthrow of the Venezuelan government under Chavez but it was followed more seriously ever since Trump took the helm. He also mentioned some American Senators of Cuban origin opposed to the Venezuelan government including Marco Rubio, who has personal leanings to overthrow the Maduro government. The analyst also pointed to the steps that had been taken by John Bolton and Rubio to persuade Trump to carry out military operations in Venezuela or stage a coup.

Mohammad Sharifi, noting that Pentagon was opposed to sending troops to Venezuela and dispatching more troops to the region, said: “Despite these objections, troops have been deployed and even the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley had ordered the commander of the American forces in the region as of Feb. 1 to get ready for a series of military plans about Venezuela.

Reasons for Attempting to Overthrow Venezuelan Government

Analyzing the reasons for these actions by the Americans, the university professor said: “Several views have been expressed in this regard. Some say that given the upcoming presidential election and Trump’s need for gray states such as Florida where he can get the most votes from Cubans and immigrant Venezuelans who are opposed to Maduro, these measures have been on the agenda. Trump is adamant about Maduro and committed to changing the government in Venezuela so that he can win their vote.

He said Trump’s performance in foreign policy and the loss of previous gains would be criticized during the election. Pointing to Venezuela’s devastated economic situation under heavy US sanctions and the impact of the heavy blows dealt by the coronavirus, he said: “The United States has come to the conclusion that Venezuela is a weak link it can use for foreign policy achievement, and with the focus on Venezuela, Washington may topple Maduro in a quasi-coup in the remaining few months to elections.”

Of course, certain individuals in the Trump administration are pushing him towards this direction led by Pompeo and Abrams, as they believe Venezuela has given them a good chance in the current situation. Of course, it remains to be seen whether they will continue to push for more votes until the election, or if the State Department team can persuade Trump to take military action.

At the same time, Mohammad Sharifi called the move a political gamble in the run-up to the US election, saying it was unclear whether Trump would take the risk. Of course there are people in Trump administration who want to lead him in this direction with Pampeo and Abrams being at the head because they believe in the current situation, Venezuela has provided them with a good opportunity. Of course, it remains to be seen whether they will continue to push for more votes until the election, or if the State Department team can persuade Trump to take military action.

Pentagon officials had told the Wall Street Journal that dispatch of this number of troops to the Caribbean region was not necessary and it was out of the proportion. “It was on February 1 that Mark Milley ordered their command to be ready for change while no case of coronavirus had been reported in South America at the time, and the first case was reported on February 26. This shows that they have a broad plan, he said.

Pentagon Attempts to Thwart State Department’s Plans

Mohammad Sharifi, referring to reports published by Pentagon officials in the US media without citing their names, added: “The Department of Defense is trying to publish reports about the possibility of military action against countries and draw the attention of the public because they see these conflicts contrary to their overall strategy and believe that the United States should return to the competition of the great powers. Every time there is a question about the possibility of military action, the Pentagon officials disclose the information, provided that it is not reported in the media: A policy that has so far been successful in increasing action against Trump.