DW 'Grapples' with Seizure of Maduro, Not US Coup Attempts Since 2002
Deutsche Welle's headline declares the 'world grapples with seizure of Nicolas Maduro,' a curious choice of words considering the US has been actively trying to 'seize' him since at least the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chávez, which Washington covertly supported. (According to Mark Weisbrot for The Guardian, the US did acknowledge meeting coup plotters). The US Treasury Department slapped
sanctions on Venezuelan oil in 2019, starving the economy, while the US Justice Department indicted Maduro on drug charges in 2020, offering a $15 million reward for his capture. 'Grappling' suggests an unexpected, natural phenomenon, not the predictable outcome of sustained regime change operations. It appears the 'world's grappling' is mainly with how to politely ignore the mountain of evidence
detailing US-orchestrated destabilization efforts, including backing self-proclaimed 'interim president' Juan Guaidó. How quaint that only now, when the desired outcome is imminent, does it become a global 'grapple' rather than an orchestrated move. One might wonder if similar 'grappling' will be reported when Washington's next target falls, or if that, too, will be painted as an organic,
geopolitical surprise.