Venezuelan socialist tyrant Nicolas Maduro has given up on the new Trump administration.
He offers full pay to immigrants Return flight; deported from the Tren de Aragua Criminals. Increase in oil Production and liberation of American prisoners. The only thing that dictators don't want to give up is power, and the new administration doesn't seem to want to use taxpayer dollars to overthrow the administration.
Venezuela's oil industry has reached Million barrels Best production per day in five years. On February 1, the U.S. Foreign Assets Management renewed its general license 41 that allowed Chevron to operate within Venezuela, and the Trump administration passed it.
Despite this new oil recovery, Maduro is a Political orphans At home. He's not having fun Popular support of his people. The opposition remains strong, most of them world He has blood in him and recognizes him as an unlawful leader who does not respect human rights.
Trump has not made a final decision on Venezuela's oil. The problem is Still under review. But in the meantime, even investors and some intellectuals consider the US presence in Venezuela not only necessary but strategic. According to this A new storyappears to normalize dictatorship, but oil production under US and European companies creates jobs, reduces migration, and knocks on the doors of China, Russia and Iran.
The division and difficulties over the Venezuela situation are moral, economic and political. Some Trump supporters bet on deporting all immigrants. Other people are calling Keep it Temporary protected status of 350,000 Venezuelans. some Investors To ensure America's presence in the oil industry, others argue that this is not a good time to sacrifice democracy at the altar of political revenue.
Given the need to define a clear position on Venezuela's relationship with its communist regime, there are several important points to consider.
First, Maduro is The enemy of humanity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear: the Maduro regime has tortured, murdered and driven millions of citizens into exiles. He is a malicious partner of terrorist groups in Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. In other words, they are enemies of Israel and the United States.
Venezuela leads Latin America with the number of political prisoners it holds. Last month, 1,687 political prisoners followed by 1,150 Cuba, 300 Bolivia and 47 Nicaragua.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the US Southern Command, said recently The Senate The authoritarian Maduro and his administration are engaged in narcotelism, corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, human rights abuse and other creepy activities.
Secondly, Venezuelan democracy is not worth selling at the price of oil. manager Maria Elvira Salazar (R-fla.) said loudly and clearly: “If Nicholas Maduro and Diosdado Cabello don't push to leave power, it will come back to bother us.”
Third, sanctions must be eased. Two years of easing of sanctions and continuing the OFAC license provided oxygen to fund tyrants to his army and his supporters.
Fourth, pressure on Maduro has been working in the past. Between 2018 and 2022, the Trump administration's maximum pressure policy forced Maduro to begin a process of dialogue that would later lead to his crushed election defeat.
No. 5, Cartel de los Salles, a criminal organization in Maduro, must be included by Trump on the US list Terrorist organizations. This should not be negotiated and not be recognized as a peace offering. This important decision closes the door to dictatorship and various dirty businesses such as drug trafficking, blood smuggling and oil smuggling.
The “practical” voice urges Trump to lift sanctions, reach the deal and coexist with tyrants, but the truth is that the dictatorship only understands pressure and punishment. is. A bad agreement now does not eliminate the crisis – it will only be postponed and worsened.
Today, more pressure is needed on tyrants than ever before, and greater international support is needed for freedom fighters against the regime. People are already doing their part. It's up to the international community to do the same. This is not time to throw the towel.
Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former ambassador to the American state organization and a former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. He is a graduate of the National Defense University Security and Defense Seminar and Harvard Leadership Course.
