When you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow

That quote, attributed to Democratic Congressman Mendel Rivers, reflects the prevailing attitude in Washington in the '60's. The "Gooks" were turning out to be more resilient than we had anticipated, but we had 'em by the balls, so any day now, their hearts and minds would come around.

Or not.

When you've got Venezuela's economy "screaming," it's fair to say you've got them by the balls, and if Mendel was right, it won't be long till their hearts and minds follow.

Yesterday Juan Guaido declared himself the legitimate president of Venezuela. It took Mafia Don about five minutes to tweet out his support for the unelected Guaido, followed five minutes later by rousing endorsements from Canada and a handful of other me-too nations.

The coming civil war in Venezuela South America will eventually prove that Trump, Freeland, et al are just as wrong about Venezuela today as Congressman Rivers was about Viet Nam fifty years ago.

In the short term, people who have been pushed into precarious subsistence will vote for anyone who promises them a sense of security. That's essentially the rise of the Nazis after the Great War. That's also behind the rise of so-called populists who have been experiencing electoral success after decades of neoliberal excess.

But it's only a short term phenomenon.

Venezuela, and South America generally, has a long history of anti-colonialism. Our "free press" avoids mentioning the fact that Maduro continues to enjoy substantial popular support among his people. Installing the unelected Guaido as President will galvanize that support, and I do not believe that Guaido can be maintained in power without outside help.

Even though Trump has said "all options are on the table" with respect to Venezuela, I don't see American boots on the ground there.

But I do see Brazilian and Colombian boots on the ground. Those are two countries almost as eager as Canada to curry favour with the Beltway Bullies. They'll gladly play the role of Uncle Sam's proxy warriors.

Problem is, their "democracies" are at least as flawed as Venezuela's. Both Brazil and Colombia have huge swathes of people who, given a full belly and a roof, would be vehemently against any US sponsored hostility towards the Maduro government.


Outside intervention in Venezuela is doomed, as are the governments of South American countries who agree to do America's bidding there.