Diplomatic Expulsions are Really a Political Ploy

Venezuelan Pro-Democracy advocate Alejandro Peña Esclusa was arrested on terrorism related charges in July 2010 by Venezuelan security forces under then President Hugo Chavez. In the subsequent search, police found explosives in Alejandro’s daughter’s desk; which the family claims was evidence planted by the police. Modern day Venezuelan socialism, known as Chavismo, practices the policy of labeling opposition leaders as terrorists due to their democratic ideologies.

Like Boris Nemstov, Alejandro Peña Esclusa was silenced. This only proves that Hugo Chavez’ heir, President Nicolas Maduro, comes from a totalitarian ideology that will do anything in their power to oppress democratic movements.

On February 28^th, President Nicolas Maduro set his sights on former president George W. Bush and former vice president Dick Cheney, as well as Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio, labeling them all persona non grata – citing “terrorists” activities against the Venezuelan state.

In the same speech, President Nicolas Maduro’s anti-American rhetoric announced a plan to limit the interference by foreign governments in Venezuelan affairs by limiting the amount of diplomats allowed in the country.

In reality, President Maduro’s actions serve as a cover-up of the political and social instability in Venezuela, while at the same time rebuilding support for his fledgling socialist movement.

Maduro took aim at the United States and it’s embassy in Caracas, singling out the fact that the embassy’s staff was nearly six times larger than that of Venezuela’s in the United States.

In addition to cutting back on the amount of American diplomats allowed in Venezuela, the outspoken leader declared that American tourists will need to apply for visas and pay hefty fees in order to enter the country. The Maduro regime claims this is in response to the similar treatment of Venezuelans tourists to the United States.

This all stems from President Maduro’s claim that the United States had implemented a plan to assassinate him – an accusation his predecessor used on numerous occasions. The exact details regarding this plot are murky to say the least, but the regime has claimed that Venezuelan forces have captured an American pilot of Hispanic origins suspected of conducting covert espionage activities in the Venezuelan rain forest. All this information of course is supported by evidence that the president has yet made public.

President Maduro’s actions against the United States have a direct correlation to the events that have unfolded in Venezuela over the last few months. President Maduro is attempting to save his political career by using the old Soviet tactic of blaming others for Venezuela’s troubles.

The recent political climate in Venezuela has been extremely tense. Venezuelan security forces arrested another major opposition leader, Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma, in early February claiming that he had collaborated with the United States to overthrow the Maduro regime.

Five days later, Venezuelan security forces shot and killed a 14-year-old boy during anti-government protests in the city of San Cristóbal. This most recent example of state sponsored violence has reopened the emotional wounds left behind by the forty-three lives lost exactly a year ago during various anti-government protests throughout the country.

Venezuela’s economic future is also facing a continual downward spiral into chaos. Due to the falling oil prices, President Maduro was forced to devaluate the bolivar, Venezuela’s national currency, by nearly 32%. This caused the exchange rate of the bolivar to drop from 4.3 bolivars to the dollar in early February, to 6.3 bolivars to the dollar following the devaluation. Since Hugo Chavez assumed power in 1999, the Venezuelan regime has resorted to devaluating the currency on seven separate occasions.

Recent polls show that President Maduro’s approval rating has fallen to 22%, the lowest of his political career. By attacking the “Evil Empire” known as the United States, arresting opposition leaders, and oppressing public demonstrations, Maduro is using the old Soviet political machine, taught by the Cuban intelligence apparatus, to hold on to his last bit of political legitimacy.

President Maduro’s strategy of diplomatically attacking the United States has worked over the years by oppressive totalitarian regimes such as Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Venezuela under Hugo Chavez. Venezuela’s lower class will most likely believe anything Maduro or his cronies televise. However, the readily available social media outlets – primarily Twitter – used by the Venezuelan middle and upper class will only help to further expose Maduro’s inability to lead Venezuela to economic and social stability.

One should expect increased anti-government protests and violent clashes with Venezuelan security forces during the National Assembly elections in the coming months.