VENEZUELA | No Longer a Dictatorship?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

The COP27 meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro raised a lot of questions about Western attitudes towards Venezuela. So, do you think things will now change? And should they, if the West really does consider Maduro a dictator - as many leaders have said? Indeed, should he have ever called a dictator? As ever, let me know your thoughts and comments below.

[@Todd.B]

Seems like the only thing to have changed is the west immediate need for energy. Has the German Chancellor met with Maduro? Oh, what tangled webs we weave.

[@4everAudioslave]

I disaggre that the hostile attitude against Venezuela came from concern for Human Rights and Democracy, because that didn't stop the west from continuing a friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia and United Emirates. In regards to the comment, a thawing of relations will surely come with some democratic concesions by Maduro, how much will he concede is yet to be seen

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

The American government has a long history of funding dictatorships.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

I would love to see Dani Nierenberg host of Food Talk podcast interview you sometime. That could be a interesting podcast episode.

[@enduser8410]

To add to what others have said, Venezuela itself may also be shifting seeing as Russian support from afar seems increasingly less likely. The US and EU also seem like the only ones willing to invest the enormous amount of money needed to begin extracting the untapped oil reserves. The strangest thing though is that the US has by far their main export partner. Hopefully both sides can come to a solution palpable to all.

[@veteran0121]

The only reason they are buddying up with Venezuela IS their oil. The Russia/Ukraine war has made Venezuela less of a pariah state because of energy needs.

[@peterbent8283]

So true my friend

[@Maddie9185]

Of course but hopefully It will be good for the people of Venezuela. At least I hope so.

[@RoyalSap]

@@Maddie9185 Believe me it unfortunately won’t

[@kimobrien.]

@@RoyalSap US hippocracy is on full display. The say nothing about Saudi Arabia which has never held a national election in its history while sanctioning Cuba and Venezuela.

[@biggest4805]

Agree 100%

[@AGS363]

1. The leaders of the world do not have and never had a problem with accepting Autocrats and Dictators. 2. The Opposition in Venezuela has proven to be ineffectual and powerless. Supporting Guaido turned out to be a useless (or even harmful) gesture. 3. Being isolated from the west, Venezuela was pushed towards China and Russia. To reverse this trend, the isolation has to end. 4. With the oil and gas from Russia out of reach, friendly terms with Caracas are far more tempting than before.

[@4mb127]

Nicely summarized

[@SvenGehlen]

The best option is to support a Junta in Colombia and have them invade Venezuela for the oil. There is no other long-term option.

[@SpicyTake]

@@SvenGehlen Good luck with Colombia the right wing is failing there too

[@moustachio05]

@@SvenGehlen that would be evil too

[@foggoblin323]

It should be noted that Guaido failed after trying to start a coup. Guaido also had a lower approval rating than Maduro. Guaido 16% Maduro 21%

[@n.m6249]

The story of Venezuela breaks my heart as an African person, I know what it's like to be naturally rich in resources but not having peace because of political turmoil. It's the story of Africa. I've met Venezuela diaspora all over the world, such beautiful people

[@2CHACHOUU]

POLITICAL TURMOIL my BUTT,created by whom,those who want it all.

[@WillyK51]

A country of about 35 Mill , about 7.5 Mill have left their Homeland. Worse than War

[@cashcash5995]

@@WillyK51 Worse than war because the US is trying to steal the oil .

[@gianniskzms7371]

My Master thesis was on Venezuela's crisis and its management. It is still surprising how unnoticeable this crisis has gone to the majority of European audience. I hope Venezuelans will eventually find peace and prosperity according to their nation's resources capabilities.

[@Western_Decline]

Venezuela will not find peace as long as the U.S. implements illegal unilateral sanctions to force regime change. Understand reality.

[@sergiocazzaro4571]

Kind of a hard thing when countries are white washing maduros dictatorship

[@XxLIVRAxX]

Considering the role that Venezuela could have in the future of energy markets after Russia's decoupling from the EU.

[@xerzy]

Funny, in Spain there's been a bombardment of news over the last decade, particularly as elections come close - then again, I'm talking Spain

[@justinLaw5]

Thanks, but trust me, we are faaaaar of it

[@thomasjohnson2862]

I met some Hungarians while travelling in Slovenia last week, and it was interesting to find they had the exact same historical grievances which you spoke about in your recent Hungary video James

[@cmartin5903]

Wow!

[@EdMcF1]

Hungarians who live in Slovenia (as citizens) or tourists etc.?

[@Redmanticore]

modern people forget the past and concentrate to the future. nationalism is cancer and enemy of development.

[@thomasjohnson2862]

@@EdMcF1 They were tourists who were visiting Ljubljana for an international handball competition I believe

[@WillyK51]

Can't compare Hungary to Vzla. The problen in Hungary is that they have a Ultra Righ wing Gov. which isn't bad or the problem, But income Taxes are out of this world, and many Hungarians leave because the can't afford to comply

[@garycaracol4365]

As a Venezuelan living abroad, I wonder how much of this shift in position towards the Venezuelan government is going to affect the millions of Venezuelan economic migrants living abroad, who often get validity extensions of their expired Venezuelan passports as a result of the crisis in the country. Once again, pragmatism and geopolitics take precedent over the lives of the innocent

[@FOLIPE]

It shouldn't affect them as long as the host countries don't want it to

[@LunaticTheCat]

Many Venezualans have already been deported from the US as a result of this.

[@garycaracol4365]

@@FOLIPE that's the thing, a generalized shift in policy with the Venezuelan government on top of the recent shift to the left with South American head of states (which will make them closer to Maduro) will lead to host countries adopting a generally more hostile attitude towards their Venezuelan economic migrants

[@FOLIPE]

@@garycaracol4365 I doubt that the left will be more antagonistic to refugees than the right wing. For example, in Chile where the north got under extreme pressure due tp venezuelan refugees, Boric was the one supporting welcoming the refugees, and so on. The left tends to favor more solidarity in these cases than the right, which was already de facto closing borders to new refugees by demanding passports for example, anyway

[@whatayaDO543]

@@FOLIPE Chile is seen as a British Ally ironically by most of South America, meanwhile right wing parties seem to be more Anti British, anti American, and Pro Russian, the world is turning backwards

[@hisdadjames4876]

Our need and thirst for oil outweighs all moral and political considerations. We happily do business with various barbaric and undemocratic Oil States in the Middle East. We even continue to buy oil and gas from Russia, while simultaneously arming their opponents in war. Why would we not chum up to whatever regime is in control of Venezuela, especially as we’ve already tried and failed to supplant it with one we prefer? 🤷‍♂️

[@neokorteks2009]

There's no moral consideration. It's just propaganda that serves to justify economic warfare against target nation which possess the desired resources.

[@Dede040TT]

If by barbaric countries you mean carpet bombed, colonized and/or starved countries by the hand of the west and more specifically the USA, sure.

[@ngolong4070]

You're talking as if only the people at the top are responsible for this while there would be massive protests if gas price even raised a little. The matter of fact is oil=political stability, and demand for oil come from ordinary people, not governments.

[@meh23p]

You’re overlooking the political implications of the US’s policies vis-a-vis Venezuela and Cuba: the exiles living in Florida. Since Florida is now basically lost to Democrats, we may see Dem leadership push for more cooperation and trade with those two countries.

[@jan-willemvankaathoven914]

The prime political consideration is the hegemony of the United States. Oil trade serves but to secure it. Hostile states on the periphery of the USA's sphere of influence may still be traded with if the gain outweighs the risk. Venezuela however is on the western hemisphere and has therefore been more stricly curtailed.

[@timkelehan5147]

I look forward to your videos so much. I always learn so much! Thank you so much.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much Tim. That’s incredibly kind of you to say. Comments like this really do make it all worth it. Have a great weekend! :-)

[@alialmoghazy7024]

Thank you, Professor Ker-Lindsay for your insights. I find your work very beneficial for my doctoral research.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much Ali. That’s great to hear. What are you working on?

[@bilic8094]

@@JamesKerLindsay James maybe you could make a video or a community headline about the attack on Poland from Ukraine and how close we were to a serious global conflict.

[@Charlie-fy5fy]

As a Venezuelan myself, I have nothing to say because I haven't finished the video yet xD, but I'm glad this video exist

[@tazadaqbanyamyan5710]

QUE SOLO TIENEN LOS LLAMADOS NEGROS Y LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS DE ASCENDENCIA ESCLAVISTA DIRECTA. ESTE ES EL PROBLEMA [YAHAWAH] LOS LLAMADOS NEGROS Y LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS SE AUTODESTRUYEN Y SON DESTRUIDOS POR EL LLAMADO ADOCTRINAMIENTO DE LA SUPREMACÍA BLANCA Y ELLOS MISMOS DEBIDO A LA IGNORANCIA DE. [JAHAWAH Y JAHAWASHI HAMASHAYACH : EL TIRANO CRUEL, SANGRIENTO, BRILLANTE, ASESINO, DICTADORES, LIBERTADOR DE LOS HIJOS DE LOS ESCLAVOS, LOS VERDADEROS JUDÍOS O ISRAELITAS Y EL REY Y JUEZ PERMANENTE DE LA TIERRA ]. DESAFORTUNADAMENTE, LOS LLAMADOS NEGROS Y LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS DE ASCENDENCIA ESCLAVISTA DIRECTA SOLAMENTE, HEMOS CREADO ESTOS PROBLEMAS GIGANTESCOS QUE ESTÁN SIENDO ENVIADOS POR LOS CONQUISTADORES Y SUS CONFEDERADOS. HICIMOS MALDADES CONTRA [YAHVÉ ] (LEA: EZEQUIEL 39: 23-24). DEMOCRACIA SOCIALISMO FASCISMO RELIGIONES SUPREMACÍA BLANCA ADOCTRINAMIENTOS. EL ÉXITO ECONÓMICO RELIGIOSO EDUCATIVO FINANCIERO NO PUEDE RECTIFICAR O TRAER SOLUCIONES A LAS SITUACIONES PATÉTICAS DE LOS LLAMADOS NEGROS E INDÍGENAS. (RESOLUCIONES A LOS LLAMADOS NEGROS Y PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS DE ASCENDENCIA ESCLAVISTA DIRECTA SOLAMENTE, LOS VERDADEROS JUDÍOS O ISRAELITAS QUE VIVEN EN TODO EL MUNDO: RECOJA EL 1611BIBLE, UTILIZADO Y ALTAMENTE VENERA LOS SANTOS NOMBRES [ YAHWAH Y YAHWASHI HAMASHAYACH: PARA CONEXIONES ESPIRITUALES DIRECTAS CON NUESTROS PODERES Y ENSAYE LAS 613 PIEZAS DE LEYES/MANDAMIENTOS. (LEA: ROMANOS 7: 14: LAS LEYES SON ESPIRITUALES ] COMIENCE AQUÍ: NO CERDO CAMARONES VIEIRAS CANGREJOS LANGOSTAS ALEGADORES COCODRILOS SERPIENTES PERROS GATOS. NO ADULTERIO FORNICACIONES HOMOSEXUALIDAD LESBIANISMO PROSTITUCIÓN ADULTERIO IDOLATRÍA HECHICERÍA VENTA DE DROGAS EXTORSIONES EXPLOTACIÓN ASESINOS Y VERÁS LOS CAMBIOS DE LA NOCHE A LA MAÑANA. ENTONCES [YAHWAH ] COMENZARÁ A PLAGAR A TODOS LOS CONQUISTADORES Y SUS CONFEDERADOS Y LUEGO ENVIARÁ [ YAHWASHI HAMASHAYACH ] PARA LIBERARNOS Y TRAERNOS A CASA. (ISRAEL ) Y SOMETIÓ AL RESTO DE LOS HIJOS DE LOS CONQUISTADORES DESPUÉS DE LA MATANZA DE LA REJILLA DE ÉL. PARA QUE PUEDAN PAGAR POR LA PARTICIPACIÓN DE SUS ANTEPASADOS EN LA ESCLAVITUD.

[@Charlie-fy5fy]

@@tazadaqbanyamyan5710 ._.xD

[@nromk]

I'd say that Venezuela is just like any other country in the region: we're authoritarian republics from Mexico to Bolivia, I'd say in the region only Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile a democratic republics how they got there I don't know but Maduro isn't that odd for us. The other curse is the USA: we are all republics but only the USA decides if we're dictatorships or not.

[@FOLIPE]

We are definitely not all authoritarian republics, while its true our societies are more elitist and that leads to autoritarianism. More and more Latin American socities seem to become imbued with democratic values

[@ramr7051]

Colombia, ecuador and Peru certainly aren't authoritarian.

[@quisqueyanguy120]

You're dead wrong, most Latin American Republics are NOT authoritarian. All LATAM nations were founded on the ideas of the ilustration and following the example of the American Independence. We too want liberty and justice for all.

[@nromk]

@@quisqueyanguy120 yeah but how do you explain repression, curruption and lack of freedom in several countries in the region and these values are easily dismissed for security. Let's face it we don't have the type of democracy that they have in the West

[@nromk]

@@ramr7051 yes they are Ecuador just repressed indigenous protesters, Bolivia is preventing people from protesting against the government and Peru is passing a series of horrible laws that limit LGBTQ rights and women's rights.

[@EastofVictoriaPark]

The resource curse seems to be a euphemism to make those who raid them feel like the fault is beyond the former's control.

[@josephineamawiafe9428]

Well said!

[@DemPilafian]

That's a shallow analysis. The *_"resource curse"_* is caused primarily by resource extraction companies in wealthy countries deliberately corrupting and abusing poorer countries to profit off their resources. The *_"resource curse"_* is closely related to *_"divide and conquer."_* By labeling the term a *_"euphemism,"_* you're creating an ideological distraction so nobody solves the core cause.

[@KohanKilletz]

Venezuela was considered the most democratic country because it was ruled by the same people who rule in American democracy; the American ultrarich. The crime of Chavez was giving the wealth and power to the Venezuelan people, thus making it a brutal dictatorship.

[@bronzy9826]

Just say you don't know anything about Venezuela.

[@KohanKilletz]

@@bronzy9826 I know the USA's MO... perform crippling sanctions on a poor country and blame socialism for why the country is starving

[@bronzy9826]

@@KohanKilletz mkay sure because crippling government corruption and dismantling democracy in exchange for an autocratic petrodictatorship has surely nothing to do with it. you may be surprised to learn that Venezuela had been a functional Social Democracy that provided its people with generous social welfare before Chavez, who simply ripped off Romulo Betancourt's highly successful programs, called them missions, bumped up corruption and incompetence by times 1000000. im assuming the second you read this, you'll pull up an article from Venezuelan state media or some jacobin tier level bullshit telling Venezuelans what went wrong with their country.

[@KohanKilletz]

@@bronzy9826 Venezuela is not a particularly unique country.

[@bronzy9826]

@@KohanKilletz sure pal

[@naberville3305]

Been watching a lot of videos on Latin America from Ben Norton at multipolarista. And he has a video on this as well. Definitely feels like in your video you perhaps understate the involvement of the US in it's meddling from how much Ben talks about it on his channel. Also the west has absolutely no qualms supporting and even often establishing dictatorships as we've done on many occasions and continue to do so.

[@FOLIPE]

Yea I feel that while there are no gross errors, one sees weird things like mentioning failure in the begining of the video but sanctions only in the end, the framing of the coup and US participation in thr country (and more recently in the regional recognition of Guaido) and the huge social inequalities and insufficiencies of oil-driven economic "development" in Venezuela, for example

[@TharpaRinchen]

I trust Ben Norton's views over this western propaganda.

[@naberville3305]

@@TharpaRinchen any day.

[@TheLocalLt]

I’m not familiar with that particular commentator, but in general because of its status as leading global power, a lot of people are biased against America and overstate or distort the country’s role to fit their own narratives. This is nothing new, the same was done to the British (there’s a famous old Persian quip “it’s the British”, used when you don’t know who is to blame for something). Global powers are going to engage in less than savory activities, we know this, but geopolitics is a zero-sum competition and thus sometimes what is necessary isn’t pleasant or popular. However when you look at America’s record, including all its worst excesses, you’ll find it to still be a cleaner and more benevolent record than any other great power in history, including Britain. Regarding America’s support for Classicalist military or civilian dictatorships, there were/are countries where these regimes are the last and only alternative to Communism or revolutionary Socialism. Plus, as far as specifically Latin America goes, remember there is a long history in many of these countries of rule by military “caudillos”; first by conquistadores and their descendants, and later by military officers.

[@naberville3305]

@@TheLocalLt my guy. Ignorance is of course. bliss. Much of US involvement in coups, regime changes, military interventions, genocide, etc. Is public record. Things like the CIA encouraging the Indonesian military to massacre a million civilians is public record. But chances are most have never heard of such a thing. "Only alternative to socialism/communism" asides from letting other nations have their sovereignty and steer their own course? When a nation democratically elects a socialist president. Is it benevolent for the US to come in, train and arm fascists to swoop in, coup the place, and rule with a bloody iron fist? We've done it many times before and we even tried it against Venezuela in the failed "bay of piglets" takeover during the trump admin. The US does not oppose socialism as some idealistic defender of freedom and democracy. It does so in defence of corporate and capitalist class interests. And it will topple many a democracy to achieve that aim. For example the 54 coup against democratically elected arbenz in CIA operation "PBSuccess". Was done at the direct behest and involvement of the United fruit company as arbenz's land reform policies threatened their business. And of course that was really only the beginning of the CIA being a tool for wallstreet.

[@premverma-se2ui]

I don't understand why is the West concerned about democracy or dictatorship in a foreign country isn't that against the sovereignty of Venezuela. West just uses the word "democracy" to fulfill there own interest.

[@hopeintruth5119]

I usually don't care about the economic system a country has as long as it works for their people and not based on slavery. America isn't even clean on that either. Though I'm very against countries who perform human rights violations at great scale.

[@Redmanticore]

ultimately, authoritarian countries want to conquer democratic countries. see example: russia. but economy and war are such a great thing, it brings people together. so now everyone except russia is our friend-o. isn't that wonderful.

[@IAmTheOnlyLucas]

Great video professor! South American matters have often been glossed over but the war in Eastern Europe has had many strange reverberations. It’s worth noting that while Venezuela has vast oil reserves, it is low quality oil that requires extensive refining. By contrast, oil in the Arabian peninsula can essentially be used in the very form it is drawn from the earth. To process this oil requires the know-how possessed (and guarded) by western oil service firms like Hess, ExxonMobil, Total, etc. When Venezuela nationalized their oil, they fatally damaged the prospect of foreign service firms being able to cut a profit for their investors. Take this with the corruption and poor economic policies observed by the Chavez and Maduro regimes in order to pay for their lofty social programs and the Venezuelan collapse is more homegrown than the usual online discourse on the subject gives credence to.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Venezuela was better off economically with Chavez.

[@Western_Decline]

Uhhh… how about the illegal U.S. sanctions implemented unilaterally to force regime change and economic instability.

[@kipp4805]

Thank you for sharing these insights. Definitely helps contextualize why Venezuela struggles to compete with Saudi and the Gulf states for oil exports.

[@XxLIVRAxX]

Note that nationalization ocurred in the 1970s, other than that, the comment is spot on

[@EbonySaints]

​@@FlamingBasketballClub Not really. Chavez just had the fortune of doing his programs when the price of oil was still high back in the 2000s and conveniently dying before things really went downhill. If he had lived three or five years longer and stayed the course, he would have a lot less apologists around. Note, resource wealth and attempts at strong social services are *not* a guaranteed recipe for a failed state. Norway has both and by all accounts its doing fine.

[@thundy308]

Another great video Professor. It'll be interesting to see how long these friendly relations play out.

[@OurGodIsLove]

Venezuela can improve in the future if it can better serve its people. Thank you for sharing information about Venezuela.

[@maurpine]

Venezuela is a democracy and US applies a policy of economic warfare and regime change to gain control of its vast oil, water, and mineral reserves

[@Theveganshift77]

A lie. Venezuela is a dictatorship. As a Venezuelan myself I know.

[@greggy9786]

Very good documentary. Let’s hope Venezuela people can get back on their feet and move the country forward. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much. I completely agree. They’ve had a tough time!

[@assouankoffi9456]

@@JamesKerLindsay Your documentary is flawed, for you left out some of the facts that pushed Hugo Chavez to have his failed coup attempt and his becoming later on the president of Venezuela. Before Hugo Chavez became president of Venezuela the oil industry was in the hands of a few - mostly grand kids of Spaniards while the majority of the people ( natives and black who account for more than 70% of the population) were living abject poverty. Hugo Chavez nationalized the oil industry and that irritated the western countries mainly the US because ExxonMobil was exploiting the oil in Venezuela. About 8 to 9 years ago ExxonMobil sued the government of Venezuela and got around 400 million dollars in settlement . Hugo Chavez built schools, universities, dispensaires, hospitals, roads , houses for the poor with the oil revenues . Socialism was working until a coup d'état was orchestrated to topple him off power. The coup failed because the masses did not support the coup and wanted him back to lead the country. For more information on that you may go on KZbin and watch " War on democracy Hugo Chavez) , it consists of 8 or 9 unbiased documentaries. When he was sick and presumably knew he was going to die, he recommended Maduro to lead the party. Upon his death with was the delight of some outsiders because they thought they had the opportunity to go and beguile the oil, but to their surprise Maduro won the election. The opposition did not really have a strong candidate to challenge Maduro, but the US said Maduro did not win the election despite Jimmy Carter's foundation unequivocal assertion that the election was fair. Most observers in South America said the election was fair. But the US saw an opportunity to go and loot Venezuela's oil. And a result, the Trump handpicked Juan Guadao, an obscure person even in Venezuela to head Venezuela. Is that a democracy? Yes, unfortunately people died during those weeks of protests. Whose fault was that? Maduro's , Guadao's or Trump's. As always, the West ganged up to impose economic sanctions against Venezuela; all Venezuela's liquid assets ( billions in cash) were frozen up to now. Professor do you know that every winter from Hugo Chavez to Maduro. Venezuela was/is giving free heating oil to the poor in New England. Is Maduro a dictator or an authoritarian as you assert, no he is not. The oil belongs to Venezuela. If a country wants some Venezuela's oil, Venezuela has tolay down the rules of its oil depletion nor the outsider. Socialism works. Socialism works in Finland, Norway, Libya etc.. Venezuela has adopted a hybrid of economic system - Socialism and Capitalism. The US is instrumental in creating all the economic problems in Venezuela. It is not Maduro.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@assouankoffi9456 Thanks. But in almost every video I get these comments. ‘Why didn’t you discuss a, b, c, d, e, f, and g?’ These are short videos. They are made to give an overview of a situation for an audience that might know little to nothing about the situation. And they are made in good faith. I don’t deliberately leave out uncomfortable information. But you have to understand that it is very easy to overwhelm people new to a subject with too much detail. Hopefully, I provide a solid overview of a subject that those interested in finding out more can then follow up on. It’s not an easy balance. And I don’t always get it right. But, again, I certainly don’t set out to mislead anyone.

[@assouankoffi9456]

@@JamesKerLindsay Thanks for your reply. I know how impartial the West is, especially when there is a resource in any country that the West wants and the West finds difficult to get that resource and an election ensues. The West will be trumpeting that its candidate won the election though he did not win it...... Those leaders who are elected by their people and who refuse to sell at a clerance sale their resources are lucky to be administering their countries unless they are subservient to the West; the unsubmissive ones get toppled off from power in no time or get killed.. What is fascinating is that the West always wants democracy and but accepts the results of a presidential election only when its potential puppet wins an election marred with frauds. Maduro is not perfect, but if in Venezuela the government accepts the verdict or outcome of the US election(s), it behooves the US government to accept the result of the election in Venezuela, too. My point is that your comments are skewed. Hugo Chavez undertook many projects for the well being of Venezuelan people and the same economic strategy was to continue by Maduro until the US orchestrated its abrupt interruption through some unfunded or unproven allegations that Maduro did not win the presidential election. As a professor give us the unfiltered information on both sides and we will make our desision as to whether Maduro is an authoritarian or not. The economic problems in Venezuela are not the result of bad management of its resources, the problems are caused the US through economic sanctions. Those need to be told. Thanks..

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. But I think you may have missed the point I was making. It was actually a criticism of the West. It was happy to call him a dictator, but as soon as it needs Venezuela it is willing to engage with him. That was my whole point. But let’s not also pretend that he runs a clean regime. It is nasty and oppressive and has done huge damage. No one comes out of this well!

[@Charlie-fy5fy]

Greetings international brothers, best regards from Venezuela 🇻🇪💖

[@aleksandardjokovic5554]

Again a great video! I hope that Venezula gets reintegrated mostly because of its people and the economic and humanitarian suffering of people living there . Sanctions and ignoring a county is always a double-eged sword. Even if those elections in Venezuela put it and the international community in a very tricky and unique situation.

[@cmartin5903]

I also hope that they become more industry secure and food secure.

[@pavullo]

The disaster in Venezuela begun way before the sanctions

[@himaramohamadlopez6529]

La influencia cubana ha sido muy negativa en la región , y más en Venezuela.

[@sirvandovargas1182]

America has always done business with Democratic governments, where poeple have a say by Voting. Dictators always rob the country, pocket all the countries wealth and not much to the poeple. Look at Putin in Russia. How did he and his Oligarchs end up with $Billions, and forgot the poeple. Especially the Old citizens.

[@realdemocracy11]

The web site Venezuela analysis is the best source of information about what's happening in Venezuela. The lack of information on how the US state department was constantly working to trip up the Bolivarian revolution in this video, shows that it's just more manipulative garbage.

[@mcyte314]

It is sad to see that one brutal dictator is tehabilitated by the actions of another, even much more brutal dictator.

[@kimobrien.]

If Venezuela was run by a brutal dictatorship then the USA would be their best friends like Saudi Arabia.

[@ryanhinds5656]

Times must change for the better. We all must come together and make it work

[@wensjoeliz722]

EUROPE AND USA HAS TO ALLOW THESE COUNTRY TO BE FREE;TO CHOOSE THERE ON DESTINY; BUT EUROPE AND USA USED SANCTION TO DESTROY AND KILL PEOPLE; IS NOT THE COMMUNISM TO DESTROY IS THE SANCTION

[@sirherbert6953]

It is simply ridiculous that Western states somehow considered it legitimate to name a president for a foreign country in the case of Guido, ignoring the electoral process or the Venezuelan constitution. Imagine European countries recognizing Clinton instead of Trump in 2016, because they had concerns with the election process or simply didn't like his policies. The way western countries have handled Venezuela for the past years has been shameful, especially the brutal sanctions. This doesn't excuse the brutal crimes of the Maduro regime, but any person that thinks western countries actually care about human rights in international politics is naiv, otherwise the US wouldn't be best friends with Saudi Arabia or Israel. The difference is that Venezuela didn't provide them easy access to oil.

[@Leiwanderer]

It gets even worse: The entire world does this! Every country on Earth decides wether it recognizes the People's Republic or Taiwan as the "one true China". On a more serious note: Deciding who to recognize as the legitimate leader of a country is a practice (and necessity) that is as old as human history. Medieval kings and lords did it and so do modern countries in the 21st century. This has nothing to do with the West being evil.

[@Redmanticore]

clinton did got more votes in 2016. and if western countries don't care about tankies human rights record, wouldn't that just make tankies happy? well, now venezuela will start delivering oil to USA and eu. i bet that makes leftist tankies real happy in the comments, you will be jumping from joy. roleplay is over, time for realpolitiks.

[@realhawaii5o]

Two interesting relationships with Venezuela are those of Portugal and Spain.

[@phk1959]

Thank you Professor. My respect. Keep the good work up!

[@harun776]

The Venezuelan people picked maduro but America didn’t want him because he didn’t serve their interest so they try to label him “dictator” but all of the sudden we need him so they open up to him. I swear our foreign policy pisses me off sometimes

[@justinLaw5]

Mate you don't know how the elections actually work here, saying that "we (Venezuelans) picked him" isn't exactly accurate, now the rest is simple, Venezuela has oil and that's what they need

[@bachvandals3259]

@@justinLaw5 Your President is elected the same way the US President, the Chinese chairman and the Uk parliament... Thats to say, not that democratic. Unless you are an Swiss, you didn't choose your leader and neither did anyone else.

[@mauri_andres01]

@@bachvandals3259 The last election was a complete scam, people wants Maduro out since 2014. Yes, people choose chavismo for 15 years (1998-2013) but you have to take account on the fact that institutions were taken by the regime through the years Chavez was alive, and by 2013, everything was absolutely centralized (the colective conscious turned out like the President does whatever he wants, and that's why it's weird for the venezuelans the idea of a president having limits with law, because Chavez didn't have) and if with this you add a 50/50 election results and a government who acts like gang, then no surprise they would take advantage with every mechanism they know. Foreign harmful policies are absolute truth, but these mf knew how to cover all their faults and blame the policies in the meanwhile. Our worst mistake was to think Maduro was dumb and unprepared: totally the opposite, that guy is a mastermind of diplomacy and negotiation. Losing 98% of a country income and still governing? Unfortunately, as a Venezuelan, I have to give my respects.

[@ramr7051]

It's not just the oil it's also the waves of migrants. As a Venezuelan i can also tell you that elections are not fair and sometimes not free. Today, they are completely unreliable and likely manipulated.

[@CinCee-]

Certified_Commenter 🎯🎯🎯 BINGO! Hit the nail on the head 👍🏻

[@ItsAVolcano]

Maduro does have solid (although not huge) popular support, but so much of it is tied in him carrying the legacy of Hugo Chavez. Oddly enough, him making amends with the West could destabilize his government more than Guaido ever could.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. That’s a really interesting thought.

[@Fulltimedragon]

Would like to see more policy analysis and breakdowns, instead of “ambitious social programs.”

[@Redmanticore]

free healthcare free universities free food for children in schools free daycare etc. the northern Europe style but the natural resources were their real "curse"

[@tomsheppard378]

Maybe Norway is an example on how to manage a natural resource? High GINI index etc. Venezuela seemed to be in collapse will be good if can have improved decade

[@spadeysay6846]

That's exactly what the United States of America do not want. It wants those Venezuelan natural resources to be owned by American corporations not the Venezuelan government.

[@Western_Decline]

Norway kneels to US empire. If you don’t, US empire will use illegal unilateral sanctions.

[@mertzanakia]

Norway had established a full democracy with low corruption and high freedom decades before the profitable extraction of gas in the north sea began.

[@XxLIVRAxX]

Sure but then again Norway was already a modest but prosperous parlamentary state with a small population

[@TylerSolvestri]

Norway in terms of population is less than Venezuela's capital. That's enough.

[@catalinmarius3985]

Thank you for this very informative video. I believe the "resource curse" also applies to my country Romania, I was watching a video from the Caspian Report saying that on paper Romania should be a very rich country, but the reason it isn't is corruption (which was one of the reasons pointed out by Netherlands on why they refuse Schengen). Maybe there's a tendency for countries with rich natural resources to be corrupt? is there a correlation there? or it's just luck & history? I think the biggesti issue with countries with 1 big industry, is that they focus only on that 1 big industry. And when that 1 big industry fails, the whole country fails.

[@koontekinte0]

indeed it is much easier to be corrupt when all you need is to control extractive industries. in Israel we saw that with natural gas. fortunately, there is not enough natural gas to overshadow the rest of the economy.

[@mojewjewjew4420]

Da si nu, aici intervine si istoria noastra de coruptie care e mai veche decat Romania, de pe vremea cand Tara Romaneasca si Moldova erau vasali ai otomanilor existau multe politici ca peșchesurile, cumpararea tronului, etc Dupa venirea comunistilor coruptia ca in alte state comuniste a explodat masiv, greseala noastra ca popor e ca ne am multumit cu o revolutie doar de fațada, ca nu a eliminat comunisti nici politiciile lor de nepotism, santaj si mita, etc si nici nu am investigat urmarile si desfasurarea revolutiei, pentru multi romanii ea pur si simplu sa intamplat si gata. Nu l am primit inapoi pe Regele Mihai ca sef al statului, nu am facut mai multe eforturi democratice adevarate si nu doar de forma, romanul de rand nici nu înțelege si nici nu i convine democratia ca in rusii de alta parte, patriotismul este mort si contribuie foarte mult dar sunt si multe forte externe care ne vor in genunchi pentru resursele noastre naturale, sa i spunem o bucatica de america de sud dar in Europa.

[@givemeabreak8784]

There is little oil and some gas. It's not much to export! What are you talking about?

[@peterchu8701]

No such thing as resource curse. USA curse.

[@avatar-zf9sh]

I find this to be an interesting review very brief no details even though he's he is showing some charts I feel like he's glossing over the real reason why Venezuela started to fail, maybe a deeper understanding of the history and major decisions in the government of Venezuela need to be shown.

[@evilchip]

I do not know how I ended up here. But thanks. I would add that Chávez also harassed the free press and was autocratic. He controlled the legislative branch and commanded judges to gives certain verdicts. One case is seen in the judge Afiuni. Chávez commanded her to give a guilty verdict in certain case and she said there was not enough evidence for that. Then by orders of Chávez she was detained and imprisoned several years.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. Welcome. Yes, it is clear that the country’s problems have much deeper roots. This now seems to be about holding on to power as opposition spread more widely. It is sad to see his many people have been forced to leave.

[@RCSVirginia]

Reinaldo Chacon A while back, I purchased some books that were quite critical of Chavez, Maduro and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. To my surprise, they were packaged and mailed from Venezuela. Then, I recalled something that Jonathan Brent said about Putin in regards to the work that his fellow scholars and he were doing on Stalin's regime and purges in the Soviet Union. He said that Putin was not concerned with scholarly works such as the ones he did that no-one was going to read anyway. I realized that, that was what was happening with the books I ordered. No-one, but a few Venezuelan intellectuals, was going to read them, so they were not worth banning. The popular media were a different matter. Another interesting aspect of this was that the first order of three books cost one million bolivares to mail, the second of one book six weeks later cost five million bolivares to mail, and the mailing for the final order of one book was simply paid in seven US dollars. The first two orders were shipped by a German firm, and the last one by an American one. Venezuelan firms and the Venezuelan postal service are apparently not used for delivery by anyone who wants a shipment to actually arrive at its destination.

[@evilchip]

@@RCSVirginia I agree with that. May I ask which books? The silence and the scorpion by any chance? I will add that letting this kind of scholar works to be released has another purpose of propaganda. It is used as a proof that they are not authoritarian because dissenting voices are allowed to express themselves.

[@RCSVirginia]

@@evilchip I had to scan my book shelves to see which ones I ordered. These were the ones that were dispatched from Venezuela itself. You are probably correct that it serves the purposes of the regime to be able to point out that it does not censor these works. Bumeran Chavez por Emili J. Blasco Chavistas en el Imperio por Casto Ocando Cuando Se Jodio Venezuela por Emili J. Blasco El Gran Saqueo por Carlos Tablante y Marcos Tarre Los Brujos de Chávez por David Placer At the same time, I ordered these two that were sent from either Chile or Argentina. El Engaño Populista por Axel Kaiser y Gloria Alvarez Diálogo de los Conversos por Roberto Ampuero y Mauricio Rojas

[@kimobrien.]

@@RCSVirginia The "Free Press" helped orchestration of the US CIA anti Chavez coup that collapsed. See the movie "The revolution will not be televised."

[@mr.fantastic7756]

The Energy Crisis and Oil crunch sure makes the West friendly towards Venezuela

[@kw2142]

I'm the first person to comment! Great video

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Congratulations! And thanks very much. :-) Have a great weekend.

[@ditshegomosienyane7252]

A simplistic narration of historical events without providing reasons behind the events, most of which are clearly geo-political in nature, is not only dull but is also is likely not to interest many.

[@michaelbrennan9350]

Another brilliant video! Thank you Professor

[@shinkansen1907]

Just wanted to thank you for these videos, great work!

[@michaeladu6120]

Before even clicking on the video, my first thought was "Russia-Ukraine, OIL"

[@samuelmathurin7257]

professor please do some homework. mention why the economy collapse. tell them how the international kept billions of Venezuela gold and money 💰 . tell them that it started after Chavez kicked out the private sectors that wanted to privatized the Natural resources

[@chrisc5094]

Nope. Still is. To say it is not, and to think of this only as a geopolitical issue is absurdly stupid, and as a Venezuelan I believe that some information from the perspective of the inside is very important. Recently, Venezuelan banks have changed their branding to be unaffiliated with the government (or so called "Chavismo", removing their renown red color) to incentivize international relations, just like Maduro's government has given a more calm power, because of the security he has of his position, knowing it cannot be taken away from him and the decreasing effort of the Venezuelan opposition due to the failure of the interim government of Juan Guaido. Maduro has no longer anything to work for to have control of the Venezuelan people, furthermore the Venezuelan opposition dropping all attempts to retake full control of the country. While some changes may be very beneficial for international relations, it does not mean that it is not a dictatorship anymore. It is mostly but a mask to trick the international community that it is not a dictatorship, resulting on the ease of sanctions, opening trade routes, creating negotiations (further legitimizing the Maduro government) and removing any possible attempts to destabilize the Maduro government. Venezuela may look like it is growing to the international community, nevertheless it is growing from one of the biggest pits that it has been in and it is nothing compared to what it may have been years ago. I suggest for all the doctorate studies comments that are using this video as reference, or anyone reading this comment to read reports from local Venezuelan NGOs such as "Un Mundo Sin Mordaza" that show stats of the past year in Venezuela, clearing up any doubt that Venezuela is getting better, or as some ignorants say it here "Venezuela se arregló." Pray that I do not get targeted by security forces. I'd love to hear what the professor has to say about this. Peace.

[@DittersGustav]

Hi my Venezuelan brother, greetings from Brazil. I think it is even offensive for any outsiders to even question IF Chavez and Maduro regime are dictatorships. It may not have begin as such, but all the control, repression and violence against your own people speak for itself.

[@QodsMohajer]

The discourse around the ‘resource curse’ often irresponsibly leaves out the curse of imperialism, it’s like telling a story about someone falling without saying they were pushed. In the case of Venezuela in particular it’s very clear that the US has acted to undermine the government

[@XxLIVRAxX]

That's the exculpatory narrative that the chavista regimes uses, rapacity, incompentence and corruption are the main culprits, am Venezuelan and have seen my nation descend to catastrophy

[@QodsMohajer]

@@XxLIVRAxX resource curse is an exculpatory narrative that the imperialist regimes use to blame the victims of imperialism for being robbed, I don’t deny that there was incompetence or corruption but that doesn’t explain the CIA and Colombia sending mercenaries to overthrow the government or naming an unelected guy president so clearly there’s more to the story

[@habibi1195]

The Resource Curse theory itself is a masking of comrade bourgeoisie capture for the interest of outside forces. It's mostly a bs theory as a whole tbh.

[@ichsagnix4127]

Finally someone serving facts.

[@otashigo]

Why is it always people that have never lived in Venezuela the only ones who ever say this?

[@davidparker108]

"He began increasing public spending on healthcare, education and launched ambitious public-infrastructure projects." Wow, that sure sounds like a brutal dictator to me.

[@otashigo]

Do you even know how those public sectors are nowadays? They are all in shambles, and not because of whatever you may bring up to justify their dictatorship, barely anything got done in terms of infrastructure in the Chavez years, all was pocketed by corrupt officials like in all comunist states and the quality of all services hit rock bottom, It'd do you good to get out of your progressive bubble once in a while bud.

[@andrewthacker114]

Interesting clip, thanks for sharing

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you!

[@عبداللهمحمدالجحدبي]

تحسنت علاقه الولايات المتحده الامريكيه وفنزويلا وقد تحسنت العلاقات بينهما لم تشهدها بلديهما عشرات السنين تحيه لكم من القلب 💖 لكل وأينما كنتم في 🌎 بقاع والاول مره تدخل 🇻🇪 فنزويلا

[@pouriajafarikia65]

Another great video!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. Another one I had wanted to do for a while. It’s just waiting until a suitable news hook to make it a bit more interesting. The Macron/Maduro meeting this week was fascinating.

[@Sam76475]

Excellent Analysis…really helpful

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much!

[@RodrigoRodriguezowl]

im from venezuela and if i can say one thing as beeing someone in the ground is that the change comes with the change in a lot of politics, though the economic situation stills not great but there is a lot of change thanks to the comback of foreing invest groups and laxer economic policies by the goverment, this also has been fueled imo by all the russian situation so i hope as national and future mechanical engineer that changes keep happening for the good and we can become a more potent country with more oportunities for people in stead of having to migrate to have to look for fair chances of jobs and earning, in stead of having all this political fuss that people can just work and get what we deserve for our hones work

[@iamexistworld5135]

Dude, use commas. It is very hard to understand what you are saying.

[@TheLocalLt]

Thanks for doing this video professor, it’s a tragic situation. With regards to the potential rapprochement, I wonder what went into getting Macron to take the PR hit that he had to know would come of the handshake photo-op with Maduro, a sharp pivot from his previous strong rhetoric against the Maduro regime. It’s pure speculation but I get a funny sense this is a temporary development during the current energy crisis. Despite pursuing talks about oil, the Biden administration also held firm on excluding Venezuela (along with Cuba) from the Summit of the Americas The biggest question regarding Venezuela may be the fate of Putin’s Russia, which has established extensive military ties to Venezuela. What happens to Russia could have a major effect on Venezuela, and I think possibly even Cuba as well. Hopefully the people of Venezuela will find their way out of this nightmare, and the millions of refugees will be able to return home (same goes for Cuban defectors), thank you Dr. Ker Lindsay for exploring this important topic. Well, with the events of today, I imagine there may be a video about NATO Article IV coming at some point soon Take care professor!

[@guillermototivilo811]

Great geopolítical analisis

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much!

[@DavidLage]

Thank you for talking about this topic. But i have to add the fact that since 2014 civil and democratic rights have been suspended. Venezuela is a dictatorship since the coup in the early 2000 that allow Chávez to purge the Military and put allies in positions in the High Command

[@kth6736]

Does this oportunism not bring down the credibility of the west and western institutions as a whole when they lecture the global south about dangers of dealing with dictators. FDRs words about Rafael Trujillo still continue to eptomise western foreign policy towards the rest of the world.

[@bolsa3136]

Politics. Russia is a bigger problem. Similar to the us relationship with saudis

[@LoboalphaMASTER]

As if it ever had credibility . . . The western powers are the most hipocritical nations there are, and the main reason for that is precisely that they love to lecture everyone else of what not to do, yet they are always doing the very things they tell others not to do, and when they do it, they always get away with it . . .

[@FOLIPE]

Western credibility, in Latin America?! The ones who believe in that won't lose that believe even if nato bombs their mother's houses by this point, so I guess little to no harm can be done

[@quisqueyanguy120]

What words about Rafael Trujillo? I've been trying to look into that but I can't find anything. Thank you in advance.

[@kth6736]

@@quisqueyanguy120 "he maybe a... (expletive), but he is our... (expletive)"

[@richardnyarko9711]

I remember when Juan Guaido was recognised by the US as Venezuela's president, soon after Maduro had had an overwhelming electoral victory. Maduro must thread cautiously. If the West had tried to usurp his power once, they can do it again.

[@Caseshells123]

The election was a corrupt and fixed. Just like in Iran and other dictatorships. If it was a free election and outsider groups could verify it I would say hey it’s their choice and that be it. But these leaders fear their own people and don’t trust them to vote the way they want them to vote so they prevent any other candidates to run and only allow their own people on the ballot. That’s not a free election that’s a controlled election where the outcome has already been set.

[@sokolmihajlovic1391]

Your well elaborated reports are essential to me in forming my opinion about what is going on in the world. Cannot thank you enough for this. The concept of "sanctions", mainly driven by this stupid assumption that anyone, let alone a whole country, could be forced into submission by brute force, is flawed. Better than to sanction anybody is to take some of your money and start supporting democratic movements, propagating democracy and human rights within this country. If there are any democratic movements in this country. Over time those democratic forces could gain strength and power. Enough power to overthrow the authoritarian rulers, eventually. In the end, nothing can be done against the will of the local population. Deal with it, accept that, even if you think your are a "superpower". Anyhow, the "free" world needs the oil of Venezuela and the people in Venezuela derserve better living standards, peace and prosperity, and more economic freedom. There cannot be true freedom without economic freedom. Maybe the world leaders will realize that stupid policies yield bad outcomes for everyone. Not just to those "sanctioned".

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much Sokol. That is incredibly kind of you to say. I really appreciate it. I agree that sanctions can be a blunt weapon. But it isn’t always easy to start supporting democracy movements. They are often kept a close eye on. If they start getting funding from outside, the people involved run the risk of being arrested as foreign agents. But, I agree that it is often better to try to be able to take various steps to try to change situations. For example, during the Cold War media organisations often played a vital part in opening up news.

[@kimobrien.]

@@JamesKerLindsay A country run by a small capitalist ruling class can't be a democracy except for the ruling class.

[@GodsHouseOfficial]

Supporting democratic movements? This is what happened in Syria. Removal of mr Assad. Imposing your failed democracy on others with left leaning trans, abortion, satanic worshipping, corrupt, regime change arrogance on others. Go research Mr Assad. After you research him, do you think he is a dictator or were you brainwashed by your false media. Do the same with colonel Qaddafi. Do the same with Mr Putin? Do the same with the Chinese President. Now finally research your own government. Your own democracy. Why do you think any country around the world would want your form of democracy. Please don’t say because your a proud American.

[@sirvandovargas1182]

Friend, You should live in Ukraine to enjoy Russia's attacks on civilians. Pick your building in any city. Russia will enjoy sanctions imposed as punishment for it's criminal acts. Sanctions are better than resorting to War. 130+ countries support sanctions, all about poeple having human Freedoms. Even In U.S., we constantly have to fight for our basic freedoms from democrats, the ruling group that stole , last election.

[@kimobrien.]

@@sirvandovargas1182 Sanctions only hurt ordinary Russian's not the Oligarchy. The US ruling class is still fully in control. Trump only represents a division in the ruling elite. Sanctions by the US ruling capitalist class are a form of war. The US Imperialist NATO forces just finished destroying Afghanistan. Their can be no peace as long as the Imperialist investor nations dominate world trade. The nationalism of the ruling classes is what leads first to trade war and then real war. Socialism is not a different kind of capitalism like that in China or Sweden. Rather it is the working class in power like in Cuba where industry is under workers control and foreign trade is under control of a workers and farmers state power.

[@chucktyler16]

Would love to see a video where you draw out that comparison between Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. How have their natural resources contributed to their development in similar and different ways? What has lead to their divergent relations with the West? What do personal and political freedoms look like in the two countries?

[@joeshmoe8345]

Thanks for again sharing your insight with us Jamie

[@carolinasart9051]

You failed to mention the corruption, the links to the terrorists groups, the Cuban control, and the links to the Narco world. That is what has been running Venezuela for the past 20 years and the reason it has left the people poor and the people in the government so rich. But I thank you for putting together the video.

[@rosameltrozo5889]

The resource curse seems rather selective

[@FOLIPE]

The resource curse isn't selective, countries go through it in different levels and are at different stages. Few countries seem to have been able to avoid it

[@Redmanticore]

we will see when saudi arabia now tries to get rid of dollar and cozy with china. USA will turn like eye of sauron to frodo going to mount doom. iran just might start something with saudi arabia, and USA just might turn a blind eye to it, no longer protecting saudis..

[@galbertjohnson5004]

Very educational commentary

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much!

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

Well war brings strange bedfellows isn't it?

[@jsb354]

Two factors that ruined Venezuela: 1] Internal corruption, and 2] External sanctions. The second can be taken away. As for dealing with a dictator, as Maduro has been said to be, well, it wouldn't be the first or the last time that has been done.

[@negerekvar7251]

Why do western states declare states that do not comply with their interests (or their puppet rulers) as dictatorships and do not make any accusations against those who do. For example, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt. Those who welcomed the Egyptian dictator, who came with the coup, with red carpets, accuse someone who came to Turkey by election (even though I do not support them in many issues) as a dictator or autocrat? I can give this example in Hungary in Viktor Orban . (Or the fact that the Turks still cannot solve their cultural or social behavior. Strong leaders among the Turks, their influence among the society is higher than in classical western countries. Or to be explained more clearly, the sense of obedience of Turks throughout history has been higher than other nations such as the Japanese. This has always been the case in our history (from the Huns to the present). I'm not just saying this for Erdogan. Although it will not be a healthy example, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk can be accepted as an autocrat and a dictator according to western norms. But not for us.) I'm sorry, I strayed from the subject. We understand from here that the Western understanding of democracy is only a cover and a joke, a tool for their interests.

[@Leiwanderer]

I can't remember any Western official ever calling Erdogan a dictator and the only official that ever called Orbán a dictator was former EU commission president Juncker. Western news outlets certainly called them both authoritarians but I don't think this is something that Western governments engage in. When it comes to critcizing other countries (not just for democratic issues), I think Mr Ker-Linday covers it well in this video: Western states (and if we're being honest: all states) don't criticize others when they have economic or other interests (i.e: India and China not criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine). (On a side note: don't Hungary and Turkey belong to the West as they are both part of NATO?)

[@bolsa3136]

If you use such anacronisms then illuminism and abolisition of serfdom should had never happen in Europe as it was norm for a milenia...

[@negerekvar7251]

​@@Leiwanderer The situation shows this. A man kills someone willingly, the court is released on the grounds that this man is beneficial to the interests of the country. Can we talk about justice in this situation? Can this court claim to defend justice? The fact that there is no official authority on the issue of dictators and autocrats does not change, the media is pumping enough news to the public. What you say about Hungary may be correct. But it does not apply to Turkey. A significant part of the Turkish people rejects the claim that they are westerners. Also There are many European countries that are not in NATO.

[@Leiwanderer]

@@negerekvar7251 I would never claim that the Western countries are perfect judges that treat all other countries fairly. I think even the current US government would freely admit that the US has often misjudged situations (most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq). However, this does not mean that the criticism of Venezuela or other countries is automatically unjustified or incorrect. I also don't think countries have to treat everyone equally, to do good. Giving money to one beggar doesn't mean you have to give money to all beggars. Trying to save the democracy of one country doesn't mean you have to make all countries democracies.

[@Leiwanderer]

@@negerekvar7251 When I say or hear "the West" I think of the US and the denocratic countries they are friends with (so most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, ...) and I think Turkey mostly fits this description. But maybe "the West" has a different meaning in Turkey.

[@mizzypoo4827]

It’ll be a foolish to TRUST those who wants to deposed you with a puppet & now wants to be your best buddy... shaking hands with right, while holding a back stabbing knife with the left hand...🙄

[@redfront6707]

Hugo Chavez was not a socialist, Venezuela had never really been socialist ever in its existence.

[@Redmanticore]

only northern europe social democracy is real socialist in practice. the only thing that works and is the best of its people. everything else is fake roleplaying, deceiving the people.

[@redfront6707]

@@Redmanticore Social Democracy is not in any way Socialism, under Social Democracy the economy follows the marked and people can own private business, in Socialism the economy is planned and the means of production are owned by the workers, Social Democracy is just kinder Capitalism, just because something has free healthcare and free education does not make it Socialist, take Bernie Sanders as an example.

[@ehannoush]

As a Venezuelan, I do think this is a balanced and accurate description. I do think that it is interesting to debated what actually describes a dictatorship, a poor run democracy and a well run/balanced democracy with healthy checks and balances. The criticisms I have for this video, is that Venezuela was a true dictatorship well before maduro. Chávez held to power with a merciless and brutal grip of authoritarian brutal rule that respected no institution, law or human being that was in his path. While some can argue that he could have had true and real ideologic origins in her revolution. The transformation of his rule into a true dictatorship is undeniable The recognition of it in the international scene depends more on whether the fact of it being convenient by the west or not. And this report, also failed to mention the role that the US government (Trump) had un recognizing Guaidó as interim president as a distraction to his domestic issues.

[@scarletcrusade77]

Hi James, I've got a question. It might seem a little inflammatory but why don't regional political establishments like ASEAN and those in Latin America do more country policing of each other's affairs especially when they're abusing their own people in violation of multiple international laws? Why do dictatorships like Venezuela and Myanmar get to go about their abuse and their neighbors all of whom are nominally democratic just look the other way as well as have to deal with refugees and other issues arising from those dictatorships? Obviously war is never good but we saw how Europe rightfully did so In Yugoslavia. Is it really not possible for those nations in those area's to come together, form a sort of coalition task force and give said dictatorship an ultimatum to change or face war? Or is it just right for them to look away and trade with them/ passively accept it? I figured it'd take away the need for US, NATO or even China/Russia having the police the area if the smaller nations banded together and made a stand, possibly with support from bigger nations who'd agree to it in principle?

[@kth6736]

This doesnt work in real life because some smaller players are very proficient in jumping through the right geopolitical hoops. Myanmaar junta for example plays China against India to draw benefits from both sides. Another example is pakistan military which has perfected the art of playing US and China against each other while committing horrible mass atrocities against its own people at home.

[@keepmoving1185]

Pawns of superpowers don’t secure the peace because it leads to war. Look at their funding and trade partnerships. It’s better for the US and China if Southern America is a mess

[@nromk]

The organizations in the Americas are basically new with the exception of the organization of the Americas and I'd argue even the EU fails there, but we have never had longstanding organizations and we have questions about what want and who we want it from

[@Western_Decline]

Because the US has the Monroe Doctrine, and Western nations believe they still control the world. It’s White Supremacy cloaked as “Rules-based Order” 🙄

[@FOLIPE]

Countries in those regions are more likely to see themselves as possible targets for western bombing than as similar to those western meddlers, and are thus not likely to favor legitimating foreign forces killing civilians while claiming to save them. If you want to protect civilians, welcome refugees and do that

[@joselucasbadue9726]

Venezuela has "improved" because it's allowed millions to flee, thus minimizing the regime's opposition.

[@Cryptic_Chai]

OIL. Thats enough word.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Yes and no. I explain that there is at least one other important factor.

[@Redmanticore]

oil is fine if you are friend of usa. like norway.

[@MichaelDevlin-s8r]

Venezuela proved once again that communism and dictatorship are failures. I’m just sad for the brave and beautiful Venezuelans who have suffered because of these evil dictators.

[@akhalif579]

Professor James, I followed your political geo analytics for some years and liked it in your knowledge to be honest. But I cannot hold back some of your views at least as it seems to me bias in some regions of the world which I can understand though. First when you saying international community why don't you said just simple The west(America-European imperialist) thats Venezuela`s problem and victim of it. rest of the issues can be dealt or improved if that can be resolved, it is same as many African problems continuing and suffering. You may understand what I am trying to say even if you don't agreed with me. Ofcourse they have their own problems. Thank you

[@XxLIVRAxX]

Beacouse that would be a false narrative based on chavista propaganda. The collapse was homemade by chavista corruption

[@PakNationalist-xy4inシ]

I love Venezuela from Pakistan, I hope that it can one day return to its former glory Inshallah 🇵🇰❤️🇻🇪

[@rijollba]

This video is very well done. Thank you professor, as venezuelan. You know, in the effort of synthesis and objectivity it is particular difficult for us to not remember the suffering, when remembering of all the things Venezuela had, and then all the negativity, death and drama that visited each one of us, of our families, later these years. Specially after the 80's collapse and after the radical agendas by former presidents in the Chavez's era and heritage (which Maduro is). The reality of the heavier other geo-political instability & threats that, as you have pointed out, have outshone our complex humanitarian crisis, but still, we're not completely ignored because of this data about the largest heavy crude oil reserves on earth. Great analysis and synthesis. For other people that might have interest in my country, I encourage you and alarm you of another major problem in the venezuelan part of the Amazonia, the ecocide currently pertrayed at large scale and in "protected national parks" : kzbin.info/www/bejne/j57Vpax5bpqirNk => In an area larger to some developed countries territory (the half south of the country) there's massive danger for our region and thus the planet's main forest and streams. Best regards,

[@kaumingo]

Hey Prof.....we like your accent! Progress instead of prawgress (The way Califorians talk). Very informative!

[@renato.bakaadv]

Nothing has changed.. people in Venezula suffers a lot...

[@CinCee-]

Due to barberic American sanctions

[@Redmanticore]

@@CinCee- he couldve started normal democratic process at any point and end the suffering of his people, get rid of world sanctions. be a statesman instead of narcissistic ego-man. could've been like northern Europe oil norway: social democratic. but nooooooo, I want to roleplay as a tankie, eff the people, roleplaying is fun! well now the tankie venezuela starts delivering oil to eu and usa, take that, roleplaying tankies, reeeeee all you want.

[@luispalmar2851]

Venezuela nunca ha sido una dictadura , viva Venezuela viva Maduro 🇻🇪🇻🇪😍

[@japteshwarsingh5866]

Great video professor. would you be making a video on Algeria officially applying to join BRICS and other countries that have show interest despite the war.

[@MukhtarTRuma]

Interesting indeed! I hope Venezuela get to really overcome

[@cabdicano8698]

Poor guan Gaudo so funny 😂

[@tamaszlav]

You are a dictator, until we need your oil. Then you are a long-time friend.

[@DS-bz4mz]

Thank you for another highly educational video :)

[@emmanueluzoigwe6385]

No permanent friends or enemies only permanent interest

[@pradeepmagan6951]

it seems that any country with an executive President, there are issues, these should all be abolished and go back to a Parliamentary system if govt where the Prime Minister runs the country and a non-executive head of state. Turkey is looking at that the moment as the opposition parties are campaigning on this matter.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. As it happens, I agree completely. I think it is actually dangerous for democracy. I think a lot of the problems we are seeing in the US right now are linked to putting political power, state symbolism and moral authority in a single position.

[@XxLIVRAxX]

Venezuelan here, I agree not only with a parlamentary system I also support a swiss style plural executive.

[@mojewjewjew4420]

That would lead to stagnation and decay and eventually a dictatorship or civil war as history teaches us, a strong executive is needed.

[@xyz10humble27]

You did not mention the fact the US and the Europeans wanted to buy Valenzuela oil with a very low price and the Valenzuelans did not want to sell it on that price. Besides, Canada owned copper mines there and they were extracting it with much lower price thereby hurting the economy of that country/

[@jamesgaskell1061]

Great video! In relation Venezuela, I don’t know if you’ve covered it before but what do you think about the separatist case of Zulia? Would you put it in the category with Texas/Alberta as a more right-wing form of separatism and more related to resource nationalism than identity?

[@Mustard_Mann]

I’m from the Zulia, the separatist movement comes from a widespread feeling that the government has always neglected the region, but the movement is not popular or taken very seriously. There is a very strong regional identity since the Zulia is relatively geographically isolated from the rest of the country, but none of the people I know would consider the Zulia as a nation separate from Venezuela

[@jamesgaskell1061]

@@Mustard_Mann thanks! always wondered if it was left vs right wing thing or not, I kind of figured from its lack of publicity that it wasn’t taken seriously. Seems like the solution would be greater autonomy and the movement would go away for good

[@mojewjewjew4420]

@@jamesgaskell1061 You shouldnt bother with the BS left vs right spectrum, ita very flawed and most of the time used wrongly or/and for political gain like calling your opponent far right when he is centre right or left wing.

[@betaniagruta8739]

I am a Venez lived thru it all, you have been accurate

[@RegenWayne]

Venezuelan journalist here. I'd like to point out how accurate this video is overall. The only thing I think you missed is the north-korean-like cult of personality towards the "Comandante Chávez". For the rest, you got everything right.

[@redsamson0023]

the country was already impoverished before the rise of socialism. the wealthy leave with the wealth, but the proletariat never had that to begin with.

[@Redmanticore]

who cares about the wealthy leaving? norway oil country doesnt care, nor does sweden, Finland, denmark. they have 50% taxation on income, wealth, inheritance. they don't care. the super wealthy super selfish can eff off. bye. see ya. we are just fine without ya. ooh the jews leaving, really scary. how will nation ever recover? kekw

[@tiredox3788]

You going to talked the Cuban and the U.N voted to end the USA blockade on Cuba. The voted happened 2 weeks ago I think.

[@Bkmus]

Gud work 👏

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you!

[@huehue5286]

As a Brazilian, Venezuela is a big problem because of its militaristic expansion back in Chavez' days, he bought lots of military equipment from Russia for reasons no one knew back then. Maduro could use the oil revenue to do the same thing as Russia, build up weapons for a expansion in the region and Brazil's army, although it has lots of personnel, is completely obsolete and have no chance against a modern army. Anyway, with the momentum of the left and the strengthening of Venezuela, the region will likely become China's backyard and won't take too long before some Chinese military bases start popping in these dictatorships.

[@CinCee-]

🤣🤣😅🤣😅 you a silly goose!

[@FOLIPE]

Military expansionism?!?!?!?! They never threatened anyone neither did they invite outside powers to make bases in the region, unlike some of their neighbors.

[@laverite6427]

Hue Hue, remember all the USA inventions around the world killing innocent civilian people for oil and other minerals.

[@elmalanmalan2175]

I doubt it Venezuela is know for not allowing foreign military bases on its land. Even when Chavez was still alive he mentioneed it many times.

[@tonymazi6783]

The reason Chavez bought a lot of military equipment from Russia was to prevent another government overthrow, If you forgot, like the one that happened in Chile, when Pinochet and the CIA overthrew and murdered a democratic elected president Allende.

[@jugadug]

While i don't believe maduro won the last elections, i don't think the presidency should be given to Guiado either besides Venezuela has been a good friend to my country for decades century even in some ways and vice versa, basically not to interfere with internal politics maduro did call an election a lot of political parties were allow to participate that is more than can be said a lot of other countries

[@justinLaw5]

Honestly we stopped advancing as a nation as soon as the "democratic leaders" raised to power while the previous spikes on development came from individual militaristic leaders, and yeah the change in attitude is basically due to the need of our oil

[@nopasaran191]

It’s crazy how fast a state will go from authoritarian dictatorship to a struggling democracy when the west needs oil.

[@Hchris101]

surely a coincidence

[@sandyjuntunen4088]

If your argument for reconsidering if he's a dictator, is based on Macron & Biden being friendly & accepting him, I'd remind you that Macron & Biden both acted much like dictators themselves the past couple years. The covid pandemic brought out the worst in most world leaders, their abuse of power wasn't limited to just " safety" issues, & has continued until now. It's been devastating for most countries. This move to a New World Order into globalism is not raising standards for leaders & what is acceptable, it's lowered so far it seems a requirement to be the worst possible choice for a leader to belong. That's my opinion as to the reasons for their sudden warmth. Ask the regular people of Venezuela what they think, if you can find one not in too big a rush to get out.

[@doodleydoo]

Great Job.

[@nromk]

Well that was fast, the USA has been trying to change Venezuela since the Hugo Chavez: the USA has spent 30 years now, and nothing worked Venezuela could have been another Cuba, and what has happened in Cuba? The castros ruled for years, and now they have a new president, the USA can't change any country in the region without an intervention the question now is when is the USA going to open up to Cuba

[@Redmanticore]

cuban oil refineries are crippled like venezuelas. they need to be fixed first before anything else can happen. they need western experts. important problem is the massive decline of aid from Venezuela and the failure of Cuba's state-run oil company which had subsidized fuel costs.[279]

[@jasonallen3678]

Venezuelans in the U.S wholeheartedly support the Fascist party here,which is very unpopular,so we don't really care for them here..