Socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro on Monday said Venezuelan rebels represent “fascist extremism” and claimed he was trying to start a civil war similar to Syria in the country.
Maduro is a longtime ally of former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and remains close to Assad's former backers in Iran and Russia.
President Assad fled to Russia with his family over the weekend, shortly after Sunni jihadists from the al-Qaeda terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered Damascus, marking the end of more than 20 years of dictatorship. did. His father, Hafez al-Assad, ruled the country for about 30 years before his son took over.
Maduro's government maintains ideological ties with the Assad regime and shares its anti-American stance, and made this assertion during a public event marking the 200th anniversary of Assad's regime. battle of ayacucho.
“We are observing a painful situation developing for the Syrian people. Now, shameless [members] Some fascist extremists are also coming out in Venezuela, calling for a civil war.” President Maduro said. said.
“I say to you, do not misunderstand, because the Venezuelan people will triumph along the path of peace, with the perfect fusion of the people and the military police. There will be integration and the constitution will apply,” he said. continuation.
According to Maduro, “every time something happens in the world,” the U.S. “empire” and Venezuelan rebels want to repeat it in Venezuela.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3JZQiEVMoU
Over the past two decades, President Maduro and nearly all of his top officials have repeatedly accused the United States and Venezuelan rebels of colluding to overthrow Venezuela's socialist government. Venezuelan socialists have been on fire in recent months following the fraud in the July 28 presidential election, in which Maduro claims he “won” a new six-year presidential term scheduled to begin on January 10, 2025. Repeatedly criticizing him.
The Maduro regime used this to justify charges of conspiracy. arrest Several American nationals allegedly planned Maduro's assassination and other “terrorist” attacks in Venezuela, according to administration officials. Neither President Maduro nor members of his administration have provided evidence to support this accusation.
Venezuela's socialist government maintains close ties with the now-deposed Assad regime, which began during the era of late dictator Hugo Chávez, with both dictators bonded over shared anti-American sentiments. President Chavez and President Assad visit each other In 2010.
During his visit to Caracas, President Chávez presented President Assad with an award and a replica of the sword of Venezuelan independence hero Simón Bolívar. late socialist dictator I reconfirmed Support for Assad in remarks made to international reporters in October 2012.
President Maduro continued to strengthen bilateral ties after succeeding President Chávez, who died of undisclosed cancer in 2013. Last year, both administrations held talks with Iran. construction We're talking about an oil refinery in the Syrian town of Homs that, if built, would have benefited all three regimes and, in Iran's case, likely helped finance international terrorism.
Last week, days before Assad's ouster, Maduro made the call. conversation In a meeting with President Assad, the Venezuelan dictator pledged support for the Assad regime and Syria's “fight against terrorism and its sponsors” “in the face of acts of terrorism.”
Asad is exiled Over the weekend, he fled with his family to Russia, where he faced political criticism. exile From Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.
On Tuesday, Maduro's government issued a statement. statement It makes no mention of Assad's ouster or arrival in Russia, insisting it is “closely following” events in Syria.
Instead, Venezuela's socialist regime has promised that “this brotherly people should resolve their differences peacefully, without outside interference or the use of violence as a means of dealing with political conflicts.” He expressed his hope that he would be able to find a way to do so.
“Venezuela expresses its commitment to preserving the territorial integrity of Syria, to the defense of its sovereignty and independence, and to absolute respect for the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, with particular emphasis on the preservation of civilian life, We guarantee the political and human rights of all citizens without distinction of any kind,” the statement said.
“This includes the protection and peaceful coexistence of the diverse religious, cultural and ethnic expressions that enrich the identity of this nation, the cradle of civilization,” the statement continued.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
