US Labels Maduro a 'Drug Lord,' Ignoring Own History of Meddling
The Guardian dutifully reports on the Trump administration's plan to label a Venezuelan drug cartel, 'headed by Maduro,' as a terrorist organization. This move, highlighted by Marco Rubio, conveniently frames the Venezuelan leader as a narco-terrorist, a familiar prelude to 'intensified pressure.' What goes unsaid is the long, documented history of US interference in Latin American nations,
including Venezuela, dating back to the overthrow of democratically elected leaders in favor of 'friendly' dictators – many of whom were actual drug traffickers. Remember the Iran-Contra affair, which saw the US funneling drugs and weapons to prop up resistance against imperialisms? So, Washington finds 'terrorist organizations' precisely when it seeks regime change. It's a miracle how these
threats only materialize when a country resists US economic influence or sits atop vast oil reserves. The hypocrisy of accusing nations of drug trafficking while ignoring the US's own role and demand in the global drug trade is as thick as crude oil. One might wonder if the 'threat' is actually just another excuse for 'freedom delivery' via sanctions, or perhaps, with enough branding, direct
intervention, much like the US-backed coups throughout Central and South America from the 1950s onward. How many 'drug lords' has the US supported when they served US interests?