How the US turned Venezuela into a powder keg.

Brazil of Fact - The self-proclaimed “interim president” of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, announced that the country will be forcibly invaded this Saturday (22) to enable the delivery of “humanitarian aid” to the population.

Brasil de Fato has prepared a timeline of 2019 to show how the United States began to influence internal affairs in Venezuela, encouraging conflicts, deepening the crisis, and coordinating with surrounding countries to overthrow the elected president Nicolás Maduro.

Context

The political heir of former president Hugo Chávez, Maduro came to power amidst the commotion surrounding the death of the leader who, in addition to driving the so-called Bolivarian Revolution, placed the oil-rich country on the world geopolitical map. Chávez's absence, however, strengthened the opposition, which gave no respite to the Maduro government, first by not recognizing his victory, then by attempting to remove him from power through referendums, and by promoting boycotts and protests.

Oil

With over 2,9 billion barrels per year, the US is the world's largest oil importer. Approximately 500 million barrels come from Venezuela, whose reserves are ten times larger than those of the United States.

The Latin American country is considered strategic, from a logistical point of view, because the cost of importing is lower than that of importing from the Persian Gulf, for example, with a reduced time between production and delivery.

In Venezuela, the state controls the production, distribution, and destination of oil revenues, and is seen as an impediment to US economic and political domination in the continent.

Check out the timeline of tensions that escalated in 2019:

January 4,

The Lima Group, which brings together 14 countries, issued a statement saying it would not recognize a new term for Chavista president Nicolás Maduro, elected on May 20 for the period 2019-2025.

January 5,

The National Assembly, with its powers suspended by the courts for contempt of court, after swearing in three opposition deputies accused of electoral crimes, chooses a new leadership and nominates deputy Juan Guaidó for the presidency. In line with the Lima Group, it says there is "a dictatorship" and does not recognize Maduro's election.

10 January

President Nicolás Maduro is sworn in and takes the oath before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ). The Venezuelan Constitution establishes that in the absence of the Legislative Branch, the elected president must be sworn in before the TSJ. On the day of the inauguration, a crowd fills the streets of downtown Caracas in support of President Nicolás Maduro. Representatives from the UN and more than 90 countries participate in the inauguration and recognize the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro.

January 11,

The opposition held a political rally, with little public turnout—around 300 people—in the municipality of Chacao, in greater Caracas. On this day, Congressman Juan Guaidó stated for the first time that he had "legitimacy to assume the interim presidency of the country." That same day, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, posted a greeting to Guaidó on Twitter, as if he were already president: "We welcome the assumption of power by Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela, in accordance with Article 233 of the Political Constitution," Almagro wrote.

January 23rd in three acts:

Two large marches of similar size are taking place in Caracas, one by the opposition and one by the government. In the city center, Maduro supporters fill the streets. In the municipality of Chacao, opposition members march against the government.

During the opposition parties' rally, Guaidó proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela. The United States government immediately recognized Guaidó's authority. Subsequently, the countries of the Lima Group, with the exception of Mexico, followed the US lead. Mexico recognized the legitimacy of the Maduro government and advocated for the self-determination of peoples.

President Nicolás Maduro announces that Venezuela has broken off diplomatic relations with the US, sets a 48-hour deadline for the diplomatic corps to leave the country, and recalls its ambassadors. Initially, the US government states it will not withdraw the diplomats because it no longer recognizes the Maduro government, but before the deadline expires, the embassy withdraws its diplomatic corps.

January 24,

- The United States convenes a meeting of the Organization of American States to discuss the Venezuela issue. During the OAS session, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces $20 million in humanitarian aid. At that time, $23 billion of Venezuelan government funds held abroad had already been blocked at the request of the United States government. 17 countries support the call for dialogue advocated by the government of Nicolás Maduro. Another 16 oppose the Maduro government and recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela, including 13 countries from the Lima Group.

January 26,

At the request of the US, the UN Security Council debated the situation in Venezuela. As had already occurred in the OAS, in the Security Council, the majority of countries were opposed to the deposition of President Maduro and called for dialogue. There was no vote, but according to the statement, 20 countries were in favor of dialogue and a negotiated solution, while 17 countries favored foreign intervention.

February 4

Venezuela is beginning one of the largest military training exercises in the country's history, with the participation of approximately 2 million military personnel and members of the Bolivarian Brigades, which are composed of civilians with military training, prepared to act in crisis situations.

European countries recognize Juan Guaidó as interim president, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. However, Italy and Greece do not recognize Guaidó.

February 6

The US accuses Venezuela of blocking the Las Tienditas international bridge on the border with Colombia to prevent the entry of "humanitarian aid." However, the bridge was never inaugurated and has never been used.

February 7

Latin American, Caribbean, and European countries are meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay, to discuss a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela. Two proposals emerged from this meeting. Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia, and 14 countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) created the "Montevideo Mechanism," a group aimed at fostering dialogue between the Venezuelan opposition and government. Meanwhile, the European Union countries created a "Contact Group," which would be sent to Caracas to negotiate a possible advancement of the presidential elections.

February 12

Juan Guaidó announces that opposition parties to the Maduro government will hold a caravan from Caracas to the border to bring "humanitarian aid" into Venezuelan territory.

February 14

British billionaire businessman Richard Branson announces he will host a mega concert on February 22nd in Cúcuta, a Colombian city on the border with Venezuela. Among the announced artists are Miguel Bosé, Luis Fonsi, Maluma, Carlos Vives, Maná, Diego Torres, Peter Gabriel, Ricardo Montaner, and Alejandro Sanz.

February 18

The Venezuelan government reports that concerts and cultural events will also be held on the Venezuelan side of the border on the 22nd.

February 23

The date on which the self-proclaimed "interim president" of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, announces that the country will be forcibly invaded to enable the delivery of "humanitarian aid" to the population.

*With information from Fania Rodrigues