The United States wields significant influence globally, impacting governments across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Many leaders who have attempted to diverge from the US’s stance have faced removal from power, often through assassination or coups. Figures like Libya’s Gaddafi, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, and potentially Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina, or Syria’s Assad, experienced the consequences of opposing the US. Yet, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has remained in power despite numerous attempts by the US and other Western nations to oust him. Maduro, along with his predecessor Hugo Chavez, views the US as an ‘imperialist’ power and has consistently avoided fostering friendly relations with it.
The US has imposed various sanctions on Venezuela and even offered rewards for Maduro’s capture. Recently, the US increased its military presence in Latin America, deploying three warships towards Venezuela. In response, Maduro announced the deployment of 4.5 million militia soldiers across the country, declaring that no external force would be allowed to violate Venezuelan territory. Venezuela’s resilience stems from a combination of factors, including its ties to drug cartels, its militia, its oil reserves, and its strategic location in the Caribbean Sea. This article explores the hidden strengths that contribute to Venezuela’s ability to withstand external pressures.
Venezuela’s economy is supported by its substantial oil reserves and its connections to drug cartels, which are involved in global drug trafficking. The US has accused Maduro of narco-trafficking and leading the Cartel of the Suns. In 2020, the US indicted Maduro on charges related to narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. The drug trade, alongside oil, is believed to be a significant source of revenue for Venezuela.
In response to the US’s military actions, Nicolas Maduro announced the deployment of 4.5 million militiamen, emphasizing their readiness and armed status. He warned against any encroachment on Venezuelan soil. The militia, according to official figures, comprises approximately 5 million members, representing a considerable portion of Venezuela’s total population of about 30 million. The militia includes nine reserve brigades, special resistance corps, and regional militia units. This force is a key factor in Maduro’s ability to maintain power, despite several US-backed coup attempts.
Venezuela’s geography and its coastline on the Caribbean Sea grant it strategic importance, though it does not guarantee complete protection from perceived threats from countries like the US. However, it provides regional advantages. Venezuela’s northern border meets the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, encompassing numerous small islands. This region is strategically crucial, controlling vital sea lanes for trade and oil exports within the Caribbean.