Some basics: One of the most important forces that has encouraged this extreme polarization (in Venezuela) has been the US government: Washington has been (& remains) more committed to regime change in Venezuela than anywhere else in South America – not surprisingly, given that it is sitting on the largest oil reserves in the world. And that has always given opposition politicians a strong incentive to not work within the democratic system. Venezuela is not Ukraine, where opposition leaders could be seen publicly collaborating with US officials in their efforts to topple the government, and pay no obvious price for it. Of course, US support has helped Venezuelas opposition with funding: one can find about $90m in US funding to Venezuela since 2000, just looking through US government documents available on the web, including $5m in the current federal budget (pdf). Pressure for opposition unity and tactical and strategic advice also helps: Washington has decades of experience overthrowing governments, and this is a specialized knowledge that you cant learn in graduate school. Even more important is its enormous influence on international media and therefore public opinion.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:33:37 +0000
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