Socialism doesn’t work. But strongmen don’t voluntarily surrender power.
Venezuela’s economy has collapsed to a fifth of what it was, inflation is hyperbolic, and most people there are struggling to survive. Millions have fled the country, with a significant number coming to the U.S. southern border as migrants. It’s not just Venezuela’s problem; it’s our problem, too.
If an election were held, you’d expect Venezuelans to vote for change. Exit polls indicate the opposition candidate won by a landslide in Sunday’s election. The dictator claims he won. Most Venezuelans don’t believe him, many are taking to the streets, and the noisy protests are turning violent (video below).
This election won’t bring change to Venezuela. It’s unlikely any election will. Opposition leaders are banned, free speech is suppressed, and vote counting is rigged. In the old days, the CIA would have assassinated Maduro, but that won’t happen. Nor will the U.S. invade Venezuela, as it did in Iraq to overthrow Saddam.
There are several ways this could end. Maduro might stay in power, in which case Venezuela’s downward spiral, and the burden it imposes on our hemisphere, likely will continue. Maduro could flee, or be overthrown in a coup. Or a mob might drag him into the streets and kill him.
My guess is he won’t go quietly, but barring foreign intervention, neither will the mobs of Venezuelans tired of his disastrous rule.