Political Crisis in Venezuela

The United States (US) government must cease interfering in Venezuela’s internal politics, especially for the purpose of overthrowing the country’s government. Actions by the Donald Trump administration and its allies in the hemisphere are almost certain to make the situation in Venezuela worse, leading to unnecessary human suffering, violence, and instability.

Venezuela’s political polarisation is not new; the country has long been divided along racial and socio-economic lines. But, the polarisation has deepened in recent years. This is partly due to the US support for an opposition strategy aimed at removing the Nicolás Maduro government through extra-electoral means. While the opposition has been divided on this strategy, the US support has backed hard-line opposition sectors in their goal of ousting the Maduro government through often violent protests, a military coup d’état, or other avenues that sidestep the ballot box.