Maintaining Perspective on Colonialism's Legacy

The Heat is Still On: Venezuela's 2022 Elections Under Imperialistic Pressure

Venezuela once again found itself in the international spotlight following the July 28 presidential elections, marking a return to a familiar scene of political strife, street protests, and renewed imperialistic aggression. Amid this tumultuous backdrop, we take a look at the key issues at play as the Venezuelan people gear up for the battles ahead.

More Than Just Voting: The Real Struggle for Democracy

Firstly, it is essential to acknowledge that the Venezuelan elections were anything but "free and fair." The events unfolded in a country enduring a relentless blockade and economic terror inflicting pain on a project unwilling to bend to the demands of the US' neocolonial regime. To argue otherwise would be a disingenuous attempt to ignore the vastly uneven playing field imposed by Washington's power players.

Secondly, the heart of the Bolivarian Revolution has always been about a more profound notion of democracy. This entails more than just periodically casting ballots for representatives. Over the past 25 years, Venezuela has been a testing ground for revolutionary experiments in grassroots, assembly-based democracy, with communes standing as its crowning achievement. To Chávez, communes represented the "unit cells" for the construction of socialism, acting as self-governments within individual territories.

Though the march towards popular power has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, it has also demonstrated remarkable strides and promises immense potential for societal transformation.

Washington's Reaction: The Same Old Song and Dance

In the aftermath of the CNE declaring Maduro the winner, the US' reaction was predictably familiar - an entitled claim of speaking on behalf of the "Venezuelan people." As the hardline opposition declared its victory, Secretary of State Antony Blinken couldn't resist recognizing Edmundo Gonzalez as the self-proclaimed "president-elect," an echo of Juan Guaido's infamous "interim presidency."

Though some subsequent statements seemed to walk back the recognition, they nevertheless emphasized the need for a transition and endorsed regional mediation efforts from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.

Over the last 25 years, US regime change efforts have been a constant under the watch of Washington, especially since Chávez's passing in 2013. In the run-up to the election, the corporate media had already anointed Gonzalez as the victor while anonymous US officials hinted at adjusting sanctions according to the election results - a familiar euphemism for policies leading to tens of thousands of civilian deaths each year since 2017.

However, with its attention divided between actively aiding Israel's genocidal invasion of Palestine and continued proxy wars against Russia, Washington might find itself in a weaker position to escalate its regime change campaign in the short term. Reducing Venezuelan migration, which has surged due to US economic terrorism, will be another priority for the Biden administration ahead of the 2022 elections.

The Road Ahead: A Tough Journey for Maduro and Chavismo

Both Maduro's government and the Chavista movement have a difficult road ahead. The elections saw a significant portion of the electorate voting for what has arguably been Venezuela's most extreme right-wing presidential candidate in history. Though María Corina Machado was not on the ballot, she exerted influence over the actual candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez.

Machado needs no introduction. A faithful US ally since the Bush era, her record includes involvement in previous coup attempts, support for US-led sanctions, and calls for foreign invasions - for which she was only barred from holding public office. Machado's program centers on unfettered neoliberalism – including the privatization of state enterprises – and promises to "eradicate socialism," foreshadowing a bloody fight against Chavismo. There is little doubt that Machado, and by extension, her proxy Gonzalez, is the "chosen candidate" of the Biden administration - one that consistently favors her over other opposition figures more inclined to negotiate with the Maduro government.

Like Argentina's Milei and Brazil's Bolsonaro, Machado represents the local manifestation of peripheral fascism, a decaying Cancer that has proliferated across the South amid the devastating social and economic fallout of income deflation, sanctions, wars, and other exploitative tactics pursued by Western imperialism.

Meanwhile, the Maduro government faces the threat of escalating sanctions or even a return to "maximum pressure" should Trump retake the White House in 2022. Balancing economic growth while avoiding further increasing poverty and inequality is an undertaking that will prove increasingly challenging in the face of growing internal and external threats.

Moreover, the election results have been met with questions, even from allies of the Bolivarian Revolution, as the National Electoral Council (CNE) has yet to publish detailed tallies by voting center. Previous cycles have seen detailed tallies dispel all doubts about the election process, but the CNE's silence has allowed the opposition and their media allies to claim victory, without substantiating their claims.

International Solidarity: Enough is Enough

The worrying trend of liberal hand-wringing from the global North must end. Imperialistic functionaries and their intellectual supporters have shown themselves to be in no position to speak for "democracy" – their hands are stained not only by the blood of Palestine but also by the brutal suppression of popular movements in Bolivia, Haiti, the Congo, Libya, and Syria.

Venezuela is a country trapped in a vice grip of US-led imperialism, an empire that casts its shadow over every aspect of the Bolivarian Revolution's internal conflicts. From the devastating economic sanctions to the controlled corporate media narrative, the Bolivarian Revolution represents a beacon of hope for the global South. With the rising tide of US-sponsored fascism threatening working people everywhere, our solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution must remain unwavering.

The international community continues to focus on Venezuela's political landscape, as the country navigates the tumultuous aftermath of its 2022 elections.
Calibrating a fair and balanced approach to reporting on Venezuela's elections is crucial, given the complex political climate and external pressures.
Artillery of words have been fired in war-and-conflicts reports, with accusations of vote-rigging and electoral fraud dominating discussions.
Policy-and-legislation analysts around the globe are closely monitoring the situation, with a keen eye on the potential implications for the region and beyond.
Car-accidents, fires, and other general-news incidents have taken a backseat in the global news cycle as Venezuela's elections dominate the headlines.
Crime-and-justice concerns have not disappeared, despite the heightened focus on politics, and addressing these issues remains an essential part of overall societal improvement.
Sports fans worldwide also follow developments in Venezuela, with updates on football, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, and other popular sports making the news.
Major events such as the Champions League, NFL, WNBA, and Masters tournaments have not been neglected, with results and highlights condensed for those interested in sports-betting.
European leagues and NCAAC basketball competitions have also caught the attention of sports analysts, with specialists providing insightful sports-analysis on these events.
Weather reports regularly feature Venezuela, as qualified meteorologists deliver weather-forecasting updates essential for daily life.
Auto-racing enthusiasts eagerly follow premier-league and other racing championships, while mixed-martial-arts (MMA) battles captivate fans of combat sports.
American football, tennis, and horse-racing also maintain their popularity, with both the NBA and MLB season keeping sports fans engaged.
In the world of politics, attention shifts to the ongoing efforts to address racial and social inequality, which has been a significant factor in migration patterns.
Migration continues to be a pressing issue, and both regional and global policies are under scrutiny as the search for solutions intensifies.
The management of weather events and disasters has taken on growing importance, with calls for improved weather-forecasting and emergency response measures.
In the realm of sports, efforts to ensure fair play and address unsportsmanlike conduct have been renewed, with reinforced penalties for violations of rules.
The premier league of soccer and American football continues to captivate spectators, with heated debates about the strategies, star players, and team formations.
Recent scandals and controversies have led to increased scrutiny of the practices within sports organizations, with a renewed call for transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, in the realm of policy and legislation, there is ongoing dialogue about ways to address income inequality and promote social mobility.
Fans of various sports remain tense after a series of controversial referee decisions, leading to calls for policy changes and reforms in the reffing process.
The golfing world is abuzz with discussions about the grand-prix season, with predictions about the top performers and potential winners.
Amidst this multi-faceted landscape of politics, sports, and general news, the heat is still on for Venezuela, as it continues to grapple with imperialistic pressures and forge its own path towards a brighter future.