By Oscar Valdes. oscarvaldes.net 3/7/19
Earlier this year Juan Guaido seized the moment when, as head of Venezuela’s legislative assembly, he proclaimed himself president, after Nicolas Maduro, the preceding president, had coerced the supreme court of the land into approving his sham reelection.
Garnering the support of more than fifty nations worldwide — from Latin America, North America and Europe — Juan Guaido then led a multinational effort to bring sorely needed humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people.
The valiant effort has been blocked but has not been defeated. It is waiting for the next Juan Guaido, the Juan Guaido than will come from within the military.
That the Venezuelan military has not yet risen against the brutal dictatorship of Mr Maduro does not mean that plans for his overthrow are not being hatched.
At this very moment there are military officers, in every part of the nation, hard at work conceiving or planning actions that will lead to toppling the government.
And it cannot be otherwise.
The absurdity of a regime that has led to the exodus of more than 10% of the population, that has ravaged their oil industry, that has empowered bullies and drug dealers, cannot go on.
The few countries that support Mr Maduro are all examples of the repression of free speech. Cuba, Russia, Nicaragua, Turkey. How can they be models for anyone but thugs?
How can that be lost on the conscience of the educated career officers of the Venezuelan military?
The military officers with conscience cannot turn away from the effects of the violent repression of their brothers and sisters, the malnutrition owing to the food shortages, the lack of medical care.
They cannot because it hurts deeply.
And that pain will fire up the Juan Guaido that exists deep in the heart of every decent Venezuelan officer. That pain will spark the courage and resolve that is needed to take the fight to those who, having divorced themselves from the plight of their countrymen, lend their cowardly support to a regime bent on destroying the soul of the nation.
Venezuela’s history demands the insurrection of the military against the forces of despotism.
Venezuela’s history demands that brave officers step front and challenge the corruption that is destroying the country.
This is the time to act.
Right now.
Juan Guaido himself, could consider declaring a national strike in the nation, to further erode Mr Maduro’s hold on power, and facilitate the necessary military uprising.
