Venezuela

Venezuela: Could the Coronavirus Threat Be an Opportunity?

SWJED — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 15:04:44 +0000

Venezuela: Could the Coronavirus Threat Be an Opportunity? SWJED Sat, 04/11/2020 - 11:04am

Helping Venezuela resolve its political crisis will be vital to containing the potentially catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic there. A truce in the country’s power struggle is urgent, and last week’s U.S. proposal for a transitional government offers useful ideas, even for a naturally skeptical governing regime.

Deriving a Solution to Venezuela: Civil-Military Relations Can Help

SWJED — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 05:54:36 +0000

Deriving a Solution to Venezuela: Civil-Military Relations Can Help

How does one define “healthy” civil-military relations? The simplest definition would suggest a nation’s military is subordinate to its ruling body. In other words, the guys with all the guns listens to those without any. So how then would we evaluate this relationship in a country like Venezuela? The military has remained loyal and subordinate to the ruling body, so does it meet the criteria?

Read more about Deriving a Solution to Venezuela: Civil-Military Relations Can Help

About the Author(s)

Is it Time for an Insurgency in Venezuela?

SWJED — Sun, 05 May 2019 11:55:57 +0000

Is it Time for an Insurgency in Venezuela?

"Frustrated members of Venezuela’s opposition and their supporters saw their attempt at a military coup fall short last week as senior leaders of the security forces failed to join an attempt to force President Maduro out of office and out of the country. Despite an economy in ruins, a failed health care system, and international sanctions; the Maduro regime has survived. There are several reasons for this."

Read more about Is it Time for an Insurgency in Venezuela?

About the Author(s)

Blood and Power: The Militia-Corruption Nexus in Latin America

SWJED — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 09:16:09 +0000

Blood and Power: The Militia-Corruption Nexus in Latin America

Modeled on the Iranian Basij militia, the 'colectivos' have targeted critical media outlets, opposition politicians, and dissidents as well as exerted control over entire neighborhoods and towns. They have operated death squads with the full acquiescence of Venezuela’s intelligence agencies and in partnership with the military. Venezuela’s previous president, Hugo Chavez, organized these paramilitary groups to protect the gains of his self-proclaimed Bolivarian Revolution from the perceived threat of external powers. They rapidly transformed into a force to prop-up the political elite and to preserve the power of the regime.

Read more about Blood and Power: The Militia-Corruption Nexus in Latin America

About the Author(s)

The Monroe Doctrine in 21st Century Great Power Competition

SWJED — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 04:58:16 +0000

The Monroe Doctrine in 21st Century Great Power Competition

After a 20-year hiatus since the fall of the Soviet Union, the 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) and 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) identify a new great power competition as the priority security threat to the United States. Although focused on Europe with Russia, and Asia with China, this great power competition is just as applicable in Latin America where China is aggressively using the economic instrument of power.

Read more about The Monroe Doctrine in 21st Century Great Power Competition

About the Author(s)

Supporting a Venezuelan Insurgency

SWJED — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 17:35:50 +0000

Supporting a Venezuelan Insurgency

Venezuela is on the brink of an insurgency. The insurgents are not currently violent, but that could change immediately if the Maduro regime attempts to use force to suppress the opposition. To date, the United States has supported the opposition led by Juan Guaido with diplomacy, sanctions, and humanitarian aid. The question now is what we should do if the insurgency turns violent.

Read more about Supporting a Venezuelan Insurgency

About the Author(s)

Venezuela 2019 - A Cautionary Tale

SWJED — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 05:04:37 +0000

Venezuela 2019 - A Cautionary Tale

Venezuela is basically what it always has been—only worse under Nicolas Maduro. As a consequence, Venezuela has moved into a downward spiral from an aspiring New Socialist state to failing state status.

Read more about Venezuela 2019 - A Cautionary Tale

About the Author(s)

The Circum-Caribbean (Bolivarian-Grenadine) War - Early 2017 Review

SWJED — Fri, 26 May 2017 18:28:35 +0000

The Circum-Caribbean (Bolivarian-Grenadine) War - Early 2017 Review SWJED Fri, 05/26/2017 - 2:28pm

This paper updates and expands upon an essay published in Small Wars Journal in 2014. Some of the text from the 2014 essay has been left intact as still operative.

Venezuela's Presidential Election: Chavez Runs Again - By Proxy

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Venezuela's Presidential Election: Chavez Runs Again - By Proxy Peter J. Munson Mon, 04/15/2013 - 3:30am

Chavista strategists have decided its best course of action is to run Chavez for president for a fifth time, only this time by proxy.

Capo-Militaries: An Illicit Modus Operandi of Armed Forces and Intelligence Services in Peru, Mexico, and Venezuela

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Capo-Militaries: An Illicit Modus Operandi of Armed Forces and Intelligence Services in Peru, Mexico, and Venezuela

Capo-militaries, by their diverse portfolio of activities, such as the use of sophisticated weapons, logistics, and tactics, have become threats to national and international security.

Read more about Capo-Militaries: An Illicit Modus Operandi of Armed Forces and Intelligence Services in Peru, Mexico, and Venezuela