The Plight of Venezuela II
Date: Sept 23, 2025

Following elections In January 2019, the United States and some 60 other countries recognized Juan Guido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. However, Nicolas Maduro refused to step down and after six years of his rule, and in January, 2020 we wrote a Commentary called “The Plight of Venezuela” recommending using specialized military and complementary forces to weaken his “Palace Guard” consisting of Cuban and Russian mercenaries. This was not done, and during the four years of the Biden/Obama administration made little effort to displace Maduro.

We now have depressing proof of the effects of the United States and its allies not using all efforts needed to remove this dictator from office at that time.

Some effects:

• Six million Venezuelan citizens fled the country, mostly coming to the United States as undocumented immigrants.
• Venezuela descended from being the richest country in South America to the one of the poorest.
• It became a firm member of the “Axis of Evil” in its close relationship with Russia, China and Iran.

The Trump administration has now taken new measures to put pressure on Maduro. On August 5, the US State Department announced a reward of $50 million for the arrest and/or the conviction of President Nicolas Maduro. Recently, the US Navy deployed four warships cruising offshore Caracas with the capability to launch missile attacks against his personal protection units.

We are surprised that no one has yet claimed this reward but assume that many parties (e.g. Mossad) may be working on it. This reward may be sufficient incentive for Maduro to accept Vladimir Putin’s offer to move to Russia and join Bashar Al Assad in their home for retired dictators. That we be a great day for Venezuela and all freedom loving people.

Byron K. Varme. Chairman