The United States has for long been an embodiment of democracy and has variously spoken openly about the need for other countries to give their citizens the freedom to do whatever they like as long as their actions are within the legal confines. Most prominently, the United States advocates for the right or freedom of citizens to choose their own leaders. Subsequently, democracy, according to the United States, is the best process by which citizens choose the leaders they like. On several occasions, the United States has been compelled to intervene, mostly through military actions, in countries, which have infringed upon the rights of their citizens. For example, the U.S has used military action in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, among other countries. Nevertheless, these very countries have experienced civil unrest for prolonged periods of time. Currently, the United States is weighing options of having to use military intervention in the Venezuelan crisis. But from the past records, the biggest question is, should the U.S use the same intervention in Venezuela? My take is, yes, especially when it is necessary because everyone has a moral obligation to alleviate human suffering (Sullins, 2012). The intervention should be perceived as a moral duty and should not be guided by the consequences of the intervention.
Nicholas Maduro in reality imposed himself on the people. Firstly, the elections were conducted ahead of time and the opposition did not participate. The reason for lack of participation was lack of credibility. 68 percent of Venezuelans did not take part in the elections (Spavieri, 2019). Secondly, the elections were not conducted by the National Electoral Council but by the National Constituent Assembly, which is controlled by Maduro’s regime. The Constituent National Assembly is illegal and was only formed in 2017 to be used as a tool to propel Maduro to power. The power of the illegal assembly supersedes the Venezuelan constitution, and was formed purposely to override the National Assembly. Thirdly, Maduro was sworn into office by an illegitimate supreme court, which comprises only of judges who are loyal to the government. The president of the Supreme Court, Maikel Moreno, has previously been convicted of two murders. Besides, most countries in Latin America do not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president; rather, they recognize Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition, as the interim president.
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Venezuelans have an economic crisis, mainly characterized by hyperinflation. Maduro’s regime is corrupt and the leaders are poor managers of the country’s resources. The country’s social amenities such as healthcare are in a dilapidated state. Besides, crime rates have risen and most of the citizens seem to have lost hope in their country (Specia, 2019). Consequently, thousands of Venezuelans are migrating to neighboring countries that subsequently do not know what to do. The elites and high ranking military officials are bribed with lucrative contracts, which make them oblivious to the suffering of the citizens. They are in turn used to oppress the citizens and ensure Maduro holds onto power.
In the Venezuelan crisis, the United States’ intervention will be a moral duty. The consequences may be undesirable; people may die and huge resources may be expended. However, it is not prudent to just watch as the elite loot, arrest political opponents, and mistreat common citizens. Maduro’s disrespect of the Venezuelan constitution shows that he does not respect the citizens. He clearly wants to rule by force and perhaps misuse the country’s resources. If Maduro is allowed to continue as he pleases, people will die of diseases and even hunger. The United States military intervention option is a moral duty (Sullins, 2012). Consequences such as deaths, displacement of people or injuries should not prevent performing moral duty.
References
Spavieri, S. (2019). Why Nicolas Maduro is not the legitimate President of Venezuela. https://reaction.life/nicolas-maduro-not-legitimate-president-venezuela/
Specia, M. (2019). What Is Happening in Venezuela and Why It Matters. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/world/americas/venezuela-crisis.html
Sullins, P. (2012). Immanuel Kant's Ethics of Duty. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311347623_Immanuel_Kant's_Ethics_of_Duty
