Trump Demands Venezuela 'Rebuild' Before Elections, US Sanctions Unmentioned
Donald Trump recently opined that Venezuela, a nation hammered by years of crippling US sanctions under his administration, can't possibly hold elections until it 'rebuilds.' This fascinating logic, dutifully reported by The Hill , glosses over the inconvenient truth: the 'rebuilding' would largely comprise reversing the damage inflicted by those very sanctions. (It's like breaking someone's legs
and then demanding they win a sprint before you consider them a 'runner.') The US, since 2017, has systematically targeted Venezuela's oil industry, the backbone of its economy, and its central bank, explicitly aiming to oust Nicolás Maduro. These measures, deemed collective punishment by UN human rights experts—who in 2020 called for their immediate lifting—have cost Venezuela an estimated $100
billion. So, 'rebuild' from what, exactly? Perhaps Trump means 'rebuild' from the 'maximum pressure' campaign that deprived ordinary Venezuelans of essential goods and services, as documented by organizations like the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), which estimated over 40,000 deaths attributable to sanctions between 2017 and 2018. It's a classic case of demanding a clear pool
after you've muddied the waters.