Aug 2, 2024
(AAs) Aug 4, 2024
By VADM Ivan Carratu
Machado’s 2024 campaign slogan is “Until we’re done!”
In the event that they are done, opposition leaders have the choice to go into hiding; while, on the contrary, average citizens have to go home. The Maduro regime is using drones to terrorize the population. Reports indicate that Wagner mercenaries, Cuban and Nicaraguan paramilitaries are helping suppress protests. Venezuelans are being killed, imprisoned and tortured. Those forced to flee the country have neither the resources nor the assistance offered to Venezuelan politicians.
When planning under uncertainty, potential forms of action are evaluated; However, when confronting an authoritarian regime - securely anchored for a quarter of a century - electoral fraud and repressive tactics are not possibilities, they are certainties widely documented and denounced by Venezuelans.
In the past, the current leader of the opposition stated firmly that conditions for a free and fair election in Venezuela, didn’t exist.
The variables remain unchanged and Ms. Machado confirmed that, in a statement published yesterday by the Wall Street Journal: “I am writing this from hiding, fearing for my life and my freedom” “We knew that Mr. Maduro’s government was going to cheat” “and we are well aware that the National Electoral Council is entirely under its control. It was unthinkable that Mr. Maduro would concede defeat.” “And we knew that those who are in power, terrified of the personal consequences of decades of misrule, would do everything to hold on to power” “They did.”
Venezuelans went to the polls believing that the opposition would deliver on their promise, even though Machado herself has denounced for decades: the absence of the rule of law, the regime's tight control over all State institutions, brutal political repression, human rights violations, and the presence of external factors that assist and fuel the regime.
Yesterday, Ms. Machado said: “We Venezuelans have done our duty. We have voted out Mr. Maduro. Now it is up to the international community to decide whether to tolerate a demonstrably illegitimate government. The repression must stop immediately, so that an urgent agreement can take place to facilitate the transition to democracy.” In her statement, Ms. Machado added: “After this farce (electoral fraud), spontaneous protests broke out, especially in poor sectors of Caracas and other cities. Mr. Maduro responded with brutal repression. State security forces have killed at least 20 Venezuelans, imprisoned more than 1,000, and forced 11 disappearances.” “I could be captured as I write these words.”
After reading Ms. Machado’s statement, I’ve come to the conclusion that there was no strategy. Hope is not a strategy, and the opposition hopes the international community will do something. But, who will stop the repression? Who will force a totalitarian regime to concede defeat and peacefully transfer power?
Did Venezuelans expect that the opposition would pass the buck to the international community? Are Venezuelans aware that a potential outcome is a Guaido 2.0 scenario?
The opposition leaders, knowing very well the regime’s strengths, consciously led Venezuelans to a bloody cul-de-sac. Ms. Machado has been reminded that “spontaneous protests” will break out when hungry, angry and desperate people are deceived.
Political capitalization of hope is disgraceful, and it’s even more reprehensible when vulnerable people are put in harm’s way.
Maduro continues to be the illegitimate president of a country run by murderers, kleptocrats and drug dealers.
Only in democratic systems can we expect a peaceful transfer of power, after free and fair elections.
PS: Brave people of Venezuela, if your leaders want you to take to the streets, demand that they come out of hiding before you risk your lives.
God and Country
C.C: @MariaCorinaYa
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