Why Is Russia Helping Venezuela?

The idea that US sanctions are responsible for Venezuela’s economic situation is ludicrous. Chavez borrowed heavily when oil prices were high, and gradually overextended the country’s finances. Part of these loans were spent on social programs, and some went to very expensive arbitration cases arising from the nationalization of companies, but a great deal of this was siphoned off to pay party loyalists. The sanctions passed by both the Obama and Trump administrations is/was intended to punish specific individuals within the Maduro government as well as to prevent the regime from continuing to borrow into the future. Are those sanctions working? Probably not, as long as Russia gives Venezuela a line of credit.

This sinister and cynical article is trying to justify the coming US attack on Venezuela as Reagan justified his secret war against Nicaragua--to counter the bogeyman of Soviet (now Russian) threats. But Russia now has an economy smaller than Italy's. American & other NATO troops line its borders. Russia presents no threat to the USA. . . . . Here is what the Foreign Minister of Venezuela told Amy Goodman: "Because the coup failed, now . . . that's going to be a war on Venezuela . . .Venezuelan people are going to die. There's going to be bloodshed. But also American soldiers will die, Marines will die in Venezuela, because we know how to resist. We are ready to defend or homeland. But that's not what we want. I believe that the American people . . . can stop this from happening, this insane proposal of invading Venezuela. And this is the right time to do it." . . . Americans of conscience must say: Hands off Venezuela! No more blood for oil!

Yah here we go!

And many wealthy Venezuelan people hated the overly generous Chavez and did everything they could to make his program fail, fallowing farms and businesses, sending cash abroad, sabotaging the economy, I believe, and it just got worse under Maduro who, like Trump, was in way way over his head.

You have a country of 50 million without power for a second day because of the ravages of socialism and I can't find a single article in this newspaper about it. Pretty mind blowing. I would say it is the most important story on the planet right now. A country has collapsed because of a flawed economic model. Especially in this time of renewed talk of socialism in the US, this paper has an obligation remind todays youth how bad it is.

As the political crisis in Venezuela drags on, Russia is divided over its support for Maduro, pitting “pragmatic technocrats and career diplomats” against the hawkish “defense and security establishment.” Russian oil companies like Rosneft want to make sure that their investments and loans will be safe in the event of a regime change. They urge the Kremlin to reach out to the opposition to secure their interests there. The hawks in Moscow see Venezuela as a venue to flex muscles in America’s backyard. Although two Russian nuclear bombers had been flown to Venezuela in December, and Russian contractors linked to the Wagner group, which has carried out clandestine missions in Ukraine and Syria, had reportedly travelled to Venezuela in January, it’s most unlikely that Russia will double down on its military role there. The geographical distance poses a challenge. Besides, there’s no ally in the region, that could lay the groundwork for a Russian intervention. In Syria, Russians could rely on Iran. The conflict was multi-layered with many regional players – Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran – involved with opposing interests, in contrast to Latin American leaders, who have adopted a unified stance against Maduro.

Russia's support for the Maduro government will not make Russia more popular in Venezuela or the rest of Latin America. They will need to bring in billions to just feed the Venezuelan economy. Russia has enough oil of it's own so all they can do for reimbursementt is help Venezuela sell its oil to buyers elsewhere in the world. Let them prop up the failing Maduro regime. Russia will suffer the consequences, and the people may at least be prevented from starving. Look at the history of Cuba to see how that turned out. Of course Cuba was never as desperate as Venezuela, but Cuba did not have oil reserves. Let Russia stew in its own mess. America First!

The articles in the Times repeat the idea that it is Maduros' economic performance that has tanked their economy but if Trump suddenly lost 7% of the GDP and was unable to access the income from the biggest US exports how do you think he would fare?

The Venezuelan future is for the Venezuelan people to decide. Neither Mr Putin nor Mr Trump should involve their countries in this purely internal civil war. If Russia interferes as they did for decades in Cuba, let the Russians suffer the consequences, which they will. Venezuelans can remake their future without Maduro. But until that happens they will suffer and no one outside of the country can or has the right to interfere.

Woe to all of us, most especially citizens of Venezuela, if this situation devolves into a proxy war. Deft diplomacy, allowing Russia to maintain some of its commercial interests, offering Maduro a cushy exile, guaranteeing free elections, and restoring the Assembly’s former legislative powers would be the best outcome for all concerned. Sadly, The US seems to be fresh out of deft diplomats...

There's little reason to doubt Russia will come down on the side of the Maduro government; not only to vex any intentions of the U.S., but to obtain a foothold in this part of the hemisphere while keeping tabs on Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

in bonding with Maduro Russia is in the better position for the outcome .. they play both ends against the middle .. the bombers were a violation of the Monroe Doctrine..

"..Mr. Maduro’s..............has led the opposition to claim the country’s leadership with the support of the United States, the European Union and most South American nations." Correction: Mr. Maduro's fraudulent reelection has forced the only remaining legitimate democratically elected institution in the country, The National Assembly and his president Juan Guaido to claim Venezuelan leadership, as the Venezuelan constitution dictates. Guaido's role as interim president has been recognized by over 50 countries. These countries include: Canada, the United States, the European Union and most South American nations.

What this article fails to state is that the US is involved again in regime change, threatening once more time to use of force in South America. Most countries of the world do not support the coup leader Guaido. Mexico, for instance, has refused to get involved, citing the principles of the Mexican constitution against intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, the right of self determination of nations and refusal to use force in international affairs. This article also tries to smear Venezuela with the anti-Russian fervor (a residual form of the anti-communism used against the former Soviet Union) currently in vogue in this country. Let Venezuela determine its own future and No TO US Intervention in Venezuela.

“goal is liquidation of governments of inconvenient countries" an easily refer to Russia's operation in Ukraine, not to mention other "inconvenient" countries in the region.

There aren't a lot of nations within the Russian orbit with thriving economies.

Venezuela has been pushed into the arms of Russia over the past 20 years as both Democratic and Republican administrations attempted to undermine the economic democratization taking place in Venezuela beginning with support for the opposition's 2002 failed coup against Chavez. Conditions in Venezuela are terrible and getting much worse, but not because of the real or exaggerated mismanagement of the economy or political-business corruption. It's the US sanctions that have expanded and deepened the the recession in Venezuela following the halving of the price of oil (around $98 to $48 per barrel) during 2015. The revenue loss from falling oil sales led to less dollars for the maintenance and necessary investment in the oil sector which resulted in a drop in production. Illegal sanctions - per the Organization of American States' by-laws - intensified under the tRump administration, as they initially blocked the PDVSA and Maduro government's access to necessary financial services around the globe costing billions of dollars. Recent sanctions prohibiting payment for delivered oil and CITGO profits have cost the government billions. These are the dollars that financed the expansion of education, health care, housing and food programs to the most vulnerable in Venezuela and the funds that allowed the private sector to import what they needed for production. The policy is to make the Venezuelan economy scream and hurt as many people as possible.

Anyone who thinks Russia cares for Venezuela, its citizens, or Maduro is misreading the situation. Russia cares for one thing: oil Venezuela is the 12th largest producer/exporter. The only policy Russia cares about is NOT having the U.S. control this output because it affects Russia’s economic interests. And in turn, Putin’s viability.

Perhaps Maduro can receive sanctuary in Russia. It would be better if he left peacefully, and after all his crimes, he must fear relinquishing power.

Even as a member the Democratic Party, I approve of the United States support of Mr. Guido. Russia has no business butting in the affairs of any country in South America. We need to continually enforce the Monroe Doctrine, which we failed to do right on our door step with Cuba.

Russia consistently backs the deplorables. Except in Syria, because even Russia wouldn't stoop to back ISIS. Russia is stuck in Venezuela. Made your bed, now lie in it.

Mostly true with a caveat. Get in line, Russia. Behind China. The line is not to mediate. The Line is to negotiate with Guaido and the National Assembly and, the next president of Venezuela after elections. Get over it. If Putin thinks that the crisis in Venezuela is a way of the West to undermine him, then we found the creature on earth with a bigger ego than Trump. He should look back at the time he was KGB and remember what communism does to the world. By the way, different from social democracy.

“Mr. Maduro’s catastrophic economic mismanagement has led the opposition to claim the country’s leadership with the support of the United States, the European Union and most South American nations.” This is not true. The fraudulent presidential election has caused the democratically-elected leader of the parliament to ascend to the presidency, per the Venezuelan constitution. I’m tired of news stories ignoring this fact. Mr. Guaido is not making this up as he goes along. Secondly, Russia telling the United States to stay out of other country’s affairs is absolutely laughable. This is the country that invaded the Ukraine in 2014.