The last thing Venezuelans want at this point in time is a civil war. A country battered by starvation, sickness and suffering simply cannot take any more.

Nevertheless, by recognizing the leader of the National Assembly, Jaun Guaido, as the interim president of Venezuela, it would seem like that is what the United States is pushing for.

Indeed, with regular violent clashes between soldiers and protestors in Venezuela, there is only a microscopic line between peace and war. The supporters of the opposition National Assembly and those loyal to Nicolas Maduro are already bitterly divided.

So Who’s Backing Maduro?

Internationally, the world is divided on the situation in Venezuela. Here are some of the countries recognizing Nicolas Maduro as President: Bolivia, Cuba, Iran, Mexico, Russia, Uruguay.

Who’s Backing Jaun Guiado?

Here are some of the 65 + countries which recognize Jaun Guiado as the interim president of Venezuela: United States, Canada, Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, France, United Kingdom. Obviously, the big guns!

Who’s Neutral?

Here are some of the countries which have signalled that they remain neutral: Spain, China.

Of Whom is Donald Trump Afraid?

The key player in Maduro’s security so far has been Russia, and President Putin has repeatedly warned the United States not to invade Venezuela. On the 23rd of February, 2019, the Express UK reports that Russia is “furious” at the United States for plotting to invade Venezeula. – See Reference Below.

Nicolas Maduro is obviously numb to the suffering of his own people. He continues to block humanitarian aid even as Venezuelans are literally dying of starvation. Videos of him greeting and shaking hands with military men and women have been recently circulating. Indeed, a strong military force with an obviously blind and deeprooted loyalty to Maduro is the only thing keeping him in power.

But will that loyalty stand the test of time? Three soldiers at the border with Columbia have already defected and escaped into Columbia. Will there be more to follow? How many more will be ready to lay down their arms as the United States and opposition leader keep encouraging them to do? For how long will these soldiers stay loyal to a regime that is obviously blind to the suffering and deaf to the cries of millions of Venezuelans?

Prepared for War

Nicolas Maduro has been extremely vocal about his military’s preparedness to confront foreign invaders with expressions such as “Venezuela has a glorious history in the battlefield” and “military men and women must be prepared to tear out the heart of the enemy.

A Pretext For War

A few days ago, the United States attempted to send humanitarian aid through the border with Columbia, but Maduro sent troops to block it, claiming that such an operation is a front to undermining the country’s security and facilitating a coup. On the 22nd of February, 2019, it was reported that the Venezuelan military set fire to trucks carrying humanitarian aid towards the Columbian border with Venezuela. However, some sources claim that it was the supporters of opposition leader Juan Guiado who set the trucks on fire in order to get another “excuse” for US military invasion of Venezuela. Whatever the truth may be, under the watchful eyes of the international community, the trucks going up in flames will serve as either an excuse or a justification for the use of force against the Maduro regime.

Venezuelan Military Provokes Brazil

Maduro has also sent troops to the border with Brazil to stop humanitarian aid coming from Brazil into Venezuela.

And in the most recent provocation, the Venezuelan military has installed missiles in Santa Elena which are capable of hitting targets in Boa Vista – the capital city of Roraima, Brazil.

So What’s Next?

From a cinematic perspective, Nicolas Maduro has taken Venezuela hostage, and the world is closing in to the rescue.

Nicolas Maduro seems hell bent on staying in power, and the United States seems hell bent on taking him out. What will happen next?

References:

February 23rd 2019 – Venezuelan soldiers set fire to aid convoy at Columbian border. Read Story.

February 23rd, 2019 – Venezuelan Navy threatens to open fire at US Ship carrying humanitarian aid to Venezuela. Read Story.

February 23rd, 2019 – Russia is furious as it accuses the United States of a plot to invade Venezuela. Read Story.

Nicolas Maduro says that Russsia would back Venezuela in a military confrontation against the United States and that Venezuela “has a glorious history in the battlefield.” Read Story…

Nicolas Maduro warns the United States and allies that their troops will not make it out alive if they dare invade a single inch of sacred Venezuelan soil. Read Story…