By MANUEL DOMINGOS NETO
Those who like democracy, freedom; Those who fight for the sovereignty of their countries and do not want war must hope for Nicolás Maduro's victory this Sunday
1.
Since, under the leadership of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela challenged US imperialism, information about that country has been systematically shuffled. Washington's centuries-old hold on South America had been shattered. There was an urgent need to demoralize Hugo Chávez and his libertarian speech.
Venezuela sought to exercise sovereignty over its natural resources, established alternative military cooperation, invested in regional integration and supported Cuba, avoiding its scheduled collapse.
The Venezuelan example became unpalatable for the United States: it could encourage rebellions in a space vital to its hegemony. Washington included Caracas in the “axis of evil” and launched endless measures to sabotage the Venezuelan government, including imposing great sacrifices on society.
I was in Venezuela twenty years ago and, even though I knew intimately the disparities of the Brazilian Northeast, Venezuelan social conditions shocked me. How could such a rich country have so many people in poverty?
2.
In these elections, it is not the case to restrict the analysis to the performance of Venezuelan public policies or the idiosyncrasies of rulers. What deserves more attention is the geopolitical significance of this clash. This coming Sunday will be the issue of confronting imperialism. Will Washington be able to silence Venezuela's loud voice?
After failed coup attempts, economic boycott, kidnapping of financial assets, support for a self-proclaimed puppet president and intense false propaganda, will imperialist strategists be able to interrupt the so-called Bolivarian experience?
There is no point in repudiating the global advance of the extreme right and washing our hands of the Venezuelan case. It is not possible to hope for the defeat of the French ultra-conservatives and turn a blind eye to neighbors of the same suit.
It is incoherent to protest against the killings in the Gaza Strip and waver in support for Nicolás Maduro, who defends the Palestinians.
It makes no sense to advocate for South American integration and ignore the far-right offensive in Venezuela. Obedient to Washington, the reactionaries in that country sabotage integrationist initiatives.
3.
Without correctly analyzing a statement by Nicolás Maduro, Lula unintentionally (I hope!) helped the Venezuelan fascists. Maduro did not promise war if he loses the elections: he denounced the intentions of the Venezuelan extreme right!
Lula mistakenly meddled in the election of a neighboring and friendly country. Her word weighs heavily on Venezuelan society. Would it be up to you to teach your colleague how to behave?
What was reported before Lula's inauguration was that Washington agents contained coup initiatives by the Brazilian military. Is Lula now fulfilling a possible commitment to contain Bolivarianism?
Nicolás Maduro reacted correctly when asking him to take tranquilizers. He later made a mistake when criticizing the validity of the Brazilian electoral process. But the attitude of the Brazilian Judiciary, canceling the sending of election observers to Caracas, was unacceptable: it helped the Venezuelan extreme right. The Brazilian Judiciary, which today defends democracy, showed its historical nature of collaboration with coup plotters.
An eventual defeat of Nicolás Maduro this Sunday will boost the global far right. It would be a resounding victory for Washington, just as its international isolation is growing.
The risks of continental instability will grow. Democratic governments in South America, currently a minority, will see the reactionary siege close.
Those who like democracy, freedom; Those who fight for the sovereignty of their countries and do not want war must hope for Nicolás Maduro's victory this Sunday.
* Manuel Domingos Neto He is a retired UFC professor and former president of the Brazilian Association of Defense Studies (ABED). Author, among other books What to do with the military – Notes for a new National Defense (Reading Cabinet). [https://amzn.to/3URM7ai]
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