The decision of America’s President Joe Biden to reimpose sanctions on Venezuela in response to the ban on government opposition candidates marks a significant turn in the continuous political crisis gripping Venezuela. This move strengthens tensions between the two nations and raises further concerns about the impact of new economic sanctions on Venezuela’s already struggling national economy and population. Moreover, it emphasizes the deepening divide between Maduro’s regime and the rest of the international community, particularly Western nations that have grossly supported the recent sanctions. With this latest decision, President Biden and the United States are sending a clear message of condemnation for ignoring democratic norms such as the suppression of several political opposition within Venezuela’s political sphere. It is the inescapable reality that ordinary Venezuelans will continue to bear the brunt of the growing economic hardship caused by both domestic corruption and international influence. As the crisis deepens, there is a growing need for an urgent and coordinated approach that addresses the crisis from both political and humanitarian dimensions.
Venezuela’s political mayhem stems from years of economic and political corruption, mismanagement, and authoritarian governance under President Nicolás Maduro’s 11 year regime. Following several electoral disputes, most notably in 2018, Maduro and his government have faced widespread accusations of several abuses, ranging from human rights, electoral fraud, and crackdown on political dissent. The recent ban on opposition candidates and issuing of arrest warrants, including towards recent prominent figures such as Juan Guaidó only further highlights the current government’s dismissal of democratic norms and undermines domestic efforts to restore legitimacy and political stability to Venezuela’s institutions.
The United States has been a standing critic of Maduro’s government not long after its establishment, officially recognizing it as illegitimate and openly supportive of other authoritarian regimes. As a response to the nation’s deteriorating political and humanitarian crisis, the U.S. has implemented numerous sanctions designed specifically to target key political actors, government entities, and some sectors that make up the Venezuelan economy. The objectives of these sanctions are to pressure the Maduro regime to restore regional democracy, and human rights laws, while addressing the state’s economic troubles.
Despite all that, American policymakers have put to debate the effectiveness of these sanctions to this date, with early critics proclaiming that their actions and policies have exponentially contributed to the decade-long economic collapse and exacerbated the suffering of Venezuela and its citizens. In response to the ever-growing list of sanctions, Maduro’s regime and its allies have characterized the sanctions as acts of neo-imperialism and economic warfare specifically devised to destabilize the nation and essentially undermine its sovereignty as an independent state.
U.S National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby informs the press that Maduro broke commitments to run fair Presidential elections. Photo Credits: NBC News
The reimposition of sanctions by the United States on the Venezuelan government’s ban on free and fair elections holds rather significant implications not only for its political landscape but also for its regional ability and position in the field of international relations.
Firstly, it is likely that the Maduro regime may want to further anchor its power and intensify anti-American sentiment among its supporters and loyal constituents. By simply portraying the accumulation of previous and recent sanctions as foreign interference, Maduro may hold leverage to rally nationalist sentiment and deflect blame for the nation’s economic stagnation onto external powers like the United States and its Western allies. A pushed narrative of foreign aggression may serve as an ingredient to centralize support of the regime, thereby causing an even bigger challenge for its opposition forces to receive local support to continue challenging Maduro’s grip on power.
Following this, the escalation of already hostile tensions between Venezuela and the United States presents a long-term risk that may severely undermine diplomatic efforts to present and establish peaceful resolutions to the ongoing crisis. As with any international tension, prioritizing collaborative dialogue and negotiation will be essential for addressing Venezuela’s deep-rooted challenges needed to facilitate a gradual transition toward democracy. However, the existing sanctions and advocation of hostile rhetoric from both parties will only deepen divisions and hinder constructive engagement between governments and their policymakers. The belligerent stance used by both sides may also further polarize the struggling Venezuelan society and impede genuine efforts to promote reconciliation and advance unity nationally.
Thirdly, the reimposition of mainly economy-targeted sanctions could intensify the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, even at its current height. This includes, but is not limited to food, security and medicine shortages, unemployment, and hyperinflation. What this simply means is that the innocent Venezuelan population, already bearing the deep consequences of the nation’s political and economic troubles, is likely to further suffer as a direct result of increased economic pressure from the international community. On top of that, Maduro and his regime may look to exploit the sanctions to justify growing cases of crackdowns on dissent, leading to a further erosion of democratic norms, freedoms, and human rights.
Additionally, the current train of events could lead to broader regional implications that hold the potential to fuel insecurity and instability within the Latin American region. As noted from previous occurrences, Venezuela’s neighboring states, some of which are grappling with their respective political and economic conflicts, may also face increases in migration flows, border challenges, and broader security threats as a result of this crisis. The severity of the situation could more than likely create spillover effects on neighboring countries such as Colombia and Brazil, further amplifying the existing socio-economic tensions and lack of regional stability. Given the high rate of these occurrences, it is important for the international community to both adopt and advance coordinated approaches to controlling Venezuelan crises and prevent growth in regional tension and escalation.
Addressing the crisis in Venezuela requires a multifaceted approach similar to actions taken in the past on similar events. This includes a procedure that strictly prioritizes unaggressive dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation on the international stage. What this means for both the United States and the rest of the global scene is that there must be a focus on facilitating a slow, but peaceful and negotiated transition towards democratic ideals as opposed to instantaneously resorting to punitive measures like sanctions to coerce power-hungry regimes. By proactively engaging in constructive diplomacy and collaborative efforts, foreign communities can undertake crucial roles in promoting long-lasting democracy, stability, and national prosperity in Venezuela.
From the diplomatic standpoint, the United States, as the main opposition force to the regime, should take the initiative to engage in meaningful dialogue with all political stakeholders involved in Maduro’s regime, as well as its political opposition and Latin American regional leaders. Efforts should be diplomatically directed toward building consensus around an agenda for democratic transition and an opportunity for the government to establish national reconciliation. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller states that the United States is strongly committed to open dialogue and cooperation between both nations and to the “aspirations of the Venezuelan people for a democratic future”. From a broader perspective, the dialogue must stress the need to protect human rights, uphold the international rule of law, and restore democratic institutions to the nation. By considering the path of diplomacy, the United States can place itself in a position to create a conducive environment for negotiation and ultimately pave the way for peaceful resolutions to this enduring crisis.
In addition, the international community should partner with allied regional organizations such as the European Union (EU) and the Organization of American States (OAS) to coordinate combined efforts that support Venezuela’s transition to legitimate democracy. Multilateral initiatives towards close cooperation include mediation, as well as providing humanitarian assistance and capacity-building support for institutions that uphold democratic norms. By working together, the global stage can proactively amplify its impact, while providing a unified response to innovative solutions. Finally, multilateral cooperation will mitigate the risk of polarization and promote inclusivity among all the key stakeholders.
Taking into consideration the urgent humanitarian situation affecting the Venezuelan population, the United States and its allies should also take action to deliver immediate humanitarian aid. This includes measures such as providing food, medicine, and other essential daily supplies as a way of alleviating the suffering of the majority population. Equal efforts should be put towards ensuring that humanitarian assistance is not only delivered neutrally and impartially, but also reaches those most in need of it. By providing timely and effective humanitarian assistance, the United States and its allies can hold themselves responsible for mitigating the impact on Venezuelan civilians and alleviating unnecessary human suffering.
Another approach to addressing Venezuela’s crisis from an economic view is to have the international community support stability efforts such as promoting sustainable development, and international trade to attract foreign investment. In the long term, such measures could result in national debt relief, financial assistance, and technical support needed for economic reform. By advocating for economic reconstruction, foreign states and key players can help maintain the conditions for long-term economic recovery and prosperity. Lastly, economic reconstruction will help address the deep root causes of the turmoil and in turn, create new opportunities for inclusive growth and development.
The reimposition of sanctions on Venezuela and its fragile economy by the United States punctuates the complexities and challenges of the political crisis plaguing the nation. Although the ban on opposition candidates highlights a concerning escalation in Maduro’s authoritarian tactics, punitive actions like inflicting sanctions risk amplifying the suffering endured by Venezuelans, as well as undermining legitimate efforts to discover peaceful solutions to end the crisis. In other words, we have learned from previous instances that new sanctions may further fortify Maduro’s regime and eventually deepen divisions within Venezuelan society, thus impeding the likelihood of national reconciliation and democratic reform.
The United States and its international allies should instead focus on prioritizing mutual dialogue, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation as the path to support Venezuela’s transition to democracy. By engaging with all parties, delivering humanitarian assistance, and promoting economic reconstruction, the global community can help Venezuela create a path towards a more stable, prosperous, and democratic future.
Author: Kay Adu-Gyamfi