[sjeohp]

> an utterly bankrupt (morally and politically) government

How so? My understanding is that they just won regional elections praised by international observers as free and transparent[0].

Interestingly, western governments/media & opposition claims of fraud (without evidence) directly contradict the findings of the delegation from the Latin American Council of Electoral Experts (CEELA). From the article cited:

The CEELA delegation was comprised of 1300 international observers, including former Colombian Electoral Court President Guillermo Reyes, ex-president of the Honduran Supreme Electoral Court, Augusto Aguilar, and former Peruvian electoral magistrate Gastón Soto.

According to the body’s report, the vote was held under conditions of “total normality” and the right to a secret ballot was “guaranteed”.

I also find this interesting:

For its part, CEELA has reported that it has yet to receive any formal denunciations from the opposition, which has issued its fraud allegations via the media.

President Maduro has requested a 100 percent audit of Sunday’s elections, a call that was subsequently echoed by the [opposition].

[0] https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/13442

[selectodude]

>Latin American Council of Electoral Experts

Do you mean the fake organization started by Hugo Chavez to legitimize elections in socialist states? The one that doesn't have a website or an organizational charter and gets its funding from Venezuela?

FOH.

[jimmywanger]

I could not find a single article about these findings that aren't from a leftist leaning website.

If you search "ceela venezuela vote" on Google, the only articles that come up are from teleSUR (a mouthpiece of the Venezuelan government) and Venezuela analysis (another rabidly left organization, the one you cited).

Do you have any fairly impartial news sources you'd care to cite?

Of course, this could all be a plot of the evil Imperialist western capitalist powers to strangle the last peoples' stronghold. /s

[sjeohp]

> Of course, this could all be a plot of the evil Imperialist western capitalist powers to strangle the last peoples' stronghold. /s

From your sarcasm I take it you're unaware of the history of leftist governments in Central and South America?

[jimmywanger]

I am quite familiar. However, your argument holds no merit.

Even with the term "banana republic" there was an economic endgame in sight (e.g. cheaper fruit).

This current Venezuela farce has absolutely no redeeming qualities unless you're a member of the ruling elite (of Venezuela).

By your reasoning, every economic and/or political collapse in Central/South America can be blamed on the history of United States intervention, absolving the government of all accountability.

[sjeohp]

I wasn't really making an argument, just alluding to the fact that western governments/media have a history of undermining/overthrowing democratic left wing leaders in the region, so mocking the idea as you did was disingenuous.

That said, I think it's possible the revolution has deteriorated since the death of Chavez and that corruption is indeed rife. I'm just wary given the history of propaganda.

I also think its possible that the administration still has popular support in spite of its real problems, given the violent right-wing nature of the opposition and the apparent lack of credible evidence suggesting otherwise.

[fjsolwmv]

Even you grant revolutionaries the benefit of the doubt, when in history has there been a succession to a good second leader? George Washington pulled it off by intentionally giving away his power early and setting a strong precedent of short Presidencies that end before dictatorship crept in.

[jimmywanger]

Nobody is mocking anybody.

> the violent right-wing nature of the opposition and the apparent lack of credible evidence suggesting otherwise.

People in Venezuela have lost 19 pounds on average in the past couple of years. Take a look at the exchange rates. What is the profit for "right-wing" groups?

[owebmaster]

> People in Venezuela have lost 19 pounds on average in the past couple of years.

Looks like the US need some left wing rule. But yeah this is fake news. Don't lie to pretend you have a point kiddo.

[nickik]

You are just embaracing yourself.