Blatant, aggressive US policy of regime change deserves no support

Shame on the Globe for endorsing President Trump’s blatant and aggressive policy of regime change in Venezuela (“Hope for Venezuela,’’ Editorial, Jan. 26). Despite his many failings, Nicolás Maduro was elected president by Venezuelan citizens in a contest that most of the political opposition chose to boycott — and that many believe they could have won. As has been widely reported, the advance promise from the United States of support to hard-liner Juan Guaidó was the crucial factor leading to his provocative self-declaration as president, creating a political crisis that has greatly increased the risk of violent conflict through a military coup or civil war.

Is it really acceptable to allow US Latin America policy to be dictated by Marco Rubio and Florida politics, or by our president’s desperate efforts to distract from his domestic woes?

Instead, we should be following Mexico’s lead by supporting a negotiated political settlement in Venezuela that will end further economic hardship and bloodshed.

Emily Achtenberg

Boston

The writer is a contributing editor and editorial board member of the North American Congress on Latin America.

Venezuela trying to determine own fate

Aimee Ortiz’s interview with Ricardo Hausmann (“A dangerous time for Venezuela,’’ Opinion, Jan. 28) reveals the typical US media bias and naivete that indirectly has supported Venezuela’s Maduro regime, helping it destroy the economy and repress its people. Her questions imply that the United States is the main threat to a legitimate government, and suggests that any help we provide to the interim president, Juan Guaidó, will likely “cross some untoward line.’’ Fortunately, Hausmann demolishes this harmful thinking.

The fact is Nicolás Maduro is a thug still in power, despite the country’s complete collapse, only due to the presence of Cuban intelligence forces, who are past masters at propping up illegitimate, kleptocratic regimes. As for countries that “might want to exert power over Venezuela’’ in exchange for assistance, it’s Russia, China, and Cuba that now are supporting Maduro to control Venezuela’s oil and roil the waters in the United States’ backyard.

As Hausmann notes, the process underway in Venezuela is a legitimate attempt by its people to determine their own fate despite government abuses in the past election. The United States is supporting this effort, as it should.

Ted Everett

Newton