Do not be brainwashed by imperialism

Jul 30, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Kaieteur News – As Guyanese, we must be wary of the narratives being peddled by US and European imperialism and their allies about the elections in Venezuela. It is crucial to understand that imperialism was never going to accept a victory by President Nicolás Maduro.

For them, only one result would have been acceptable: the defeat of the incumbent regime. Therefore, it is not surprising that imperialism’s proxy candidates are protesting their election defeat at the hands of Maduro. Their reaction to their defeat is consistent with imperialism’s longstanding position of fostering violence and instability in Venezuela to undermine and weaken the Venezuelan government.

The full results of the Venezuelan elections are set to be made public, and the authorities must be given time to do so. However, in the interim, imperialism is attempting to question the credibility of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE). The international community, including Guyana, should recognize that Venezuela boasts a solid electoral system, making the rigging of elections virtually impossible.

Venezuela’s voting system is a highly secure and audited process. It uses touch-screen direct-recording electronic voting machines (DREs) for its entire electorate, alongside India, Brazil, and Bhutan. When a voter casts their vote electronically, they receive a paper receipt that they can check for accuracy. This paper receipt is then placed into a ballot box.

After voting ends, a “hot audit” is conducted in over 50% of randomly selected polling stations. This audit compares the paper ballots with the electronic records to ensure they match. This process is transparent, with observers and party representatives present, and no significant discrepancies have ever been found.

Additionally, the system’s security is reinforced through rigorous pre-election audits. The source code for the voting machines is thoroughly reviewed by technical teams, including those from government and independent institutions, as well as political parties. The code is examined in a controlled environment and then verified on Election Day to ensure its integrity. According to the National Democratic Institute, a sidekick of US imperialism, the electoral system of Venezuela is one of the most secure and reliable in the world. No less an authority than former US President Jimmy Carter has described Venezuela’s electoral system as the best in the world. Yes, the best in the world.

This endorsement is at odds with the narrative being pushed by imperialist forces and by misguided Guyanese. Despite the safeguards in place, imperialist propaganda suggests that Maduro controls the electoral system and can manipulate it to rig the elections. However, this notion is inconsistent with the actual outcomes. If Maduro had such power, why would he have only barely achieved a majority of 51%? This slim margin suggests a fair and competitive election, contrary to the claims of widespread manipulation.

The opposition in Venezuela, along with their imperialist backers, has been quick to claim victory despite the official results. Some opposition figures have even made exaggerated claims, suggesting they won 70% of the vote. However, these assertions are not only baseless but also contradicted by the actions of some opposition parties. Notably, two opposition parties have conceded defeat. One prominent opposition presidential candidate, Benjamin Rausseo, stated, “I accept the CNE’s decision, and what we need to do now is turn the page on the election and start writing the new chapter together.” Similarly, José Brito, another opposition presidential candidate from the Venezuela First party, posted a video acknowledging the electoral authorities’ results, which declared Maduro the victor with 51% of the votes.

These concessions by opposition figures undermine the imperialist narrative of a stolen election. However, despite this, imperialist forces continue to withhold recognition of Maduro’s victory. Their refusal to accept the results is driven not by a genuine concern for democracy but by a desire to regain control over Venezuela’s vast oil resources. The economic motivations behind imperialist interference in Venezuela cannot be ignored. For years, these forces have sought to destabilize the country to secure access to its natural resources.

Venezuela’s oil reserves are among the largest in the world, and imperialist powers have long coveted this valuable resource. The prospect of a government like Maduro’s, which resists foreign exploitation and prioritizes national sovereignty, poses a threat to their interests. As a result, they resort to destabilizing tactics, including economic sanctions, political isolation, and support for opposition movements, to achieve their goals.

The current situation in Venezuela, with violence and instability, is a direct consequence of these imperialist tactics. By undermining the legitimacy of the elections and fostering unrest, imperialist forces aim to create a pretext for further intervention. This strategy is a familiar one, employed in various forms across the globe whenever a government resists imperialist influence.

As Guyanese, it is vital to approach the situation in Venezuela with a critical eye. We must resist the temptation to uncritically accept the narratives pushed by imperialist media and their local allies. Instead, we should seek out diverse sources of information and consider the broader geopolitical context. The situation in Venezuela is not just about electoral politics; it is a struggle between a sovereign nation and external forces seeking to exploit its resources.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

• European, Government, imperialism, President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan