The recent overthrow of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has been welcomed as good news for the Venezuelan people and world democracies, but uncertainty lingers as his inner circle retains control. A U.S.-led stabilization plan prioritizes geopolitical interests, sidelining legitimately elected authorities. Repression persists while constitutional elections are delayed.
The fall of Nicolás Maduro marks the end of a ruthless dictatorship that, alongside Hugo Chávez, repressed Venezuelans for nearly 25 years, forcing millions to emigrate amid persecution and suffering. Yet, after the overthrow, Maduro's henchmen—including Deyci Rodríguez, his brother Rodrigo, Vladimir Padrino, and Diosdado Cabello—still command the Armed Forces, arresting citizens and instilling fear as if the dictator had merely stepped out briefly.
It was anticipated that opposition candidate Edmundo González would be sworn in as president following the elections, but this has not materialized. Instead, a U.S. plan for “stabilization,” “recovery,” and “transition” takes precedence, aimed at countering the influence of China, Iran, and Russia over Venezuelan resources. China holds sway over cobalt, rare earths, and tantalum; Iran over the arms industry; and Russia over specialized military contingents for training and intelligence. This geopolitical strategy seeks to secure control of these assets first, with no set dates for elections within 30 or 60 days as required by the Venezuelan Constitution.
Public opinion decries the sidelining of legitimate authorities and the retention of the dictatorial elite. A letter to the editor points out the hypocrisy: “Los mismos que demoraron más de una década en hacerse un juicio sobre Nicolás Maduro, no tardaron un minuto en tener una opinión tajante sobre la operación de EE.UU. en Caracas,” wrote Pablo San Martín Ahumada. Álvaro Ortúzar questions whether this amounts to “Trumpezuela,” prioritizing U.S. interests over democratic liberation.
