I’d like to hear from people who are living in the region, what specific things Nicholas Maduro did that made him notably bad. I realize that I live in an American media bubble, so the coverage I see is biased.
A few facts that are part of the bigger picture:
- Venezuela has the largest oil reserves of any country
- Nigeria has the second largest oil reserves of any country in Africa
- Greenland has very large, and untouched rare mineral reserves
I can’t answer your question but can say why the heck should it matter. Why don’t we go after putin who we know has been bad for the globe for a very long time or what about netanyahoo and heck the kims. We may have done some shady things in the past but they at least followed international law (it might be debatable but not obviously ignoring it like this) or at least did it covertly because we still had some recognition it was wrong.
The states you mentioned all have nukes
In summary, it is easier to beat the weakling
From a Venezuelan living in Venezuela, in short: he wasn’t Chavez.
Long answer: Chávez had the political savvy to make a name and reputation for himself that could protect him despite criticism from hegemonic states. Maduro was never able to hold a candle to him, which is why he declined in popularity despite “technically” perpetuating what Chávez had built.
“But the drugs! But the human rights!” Center-right politicians in the region have faced similar (more verifiable) accusations, yet none have received the same level of global criticism as Chávez or Maduro.
“But democracy!” Peru has had five presidents in less than two years, and no one says anything. Bukele intends to remain in power in El Salvador for life, and no one says anything.
It’s not an ideological or moral issue, It’s Branding.
