Fascist Venezuelan Lawmakers Announce Plan to Oust President Maduro

by Stephen Lendman

America's democracy is the best money can buy, a sham by any standard, Big Money controlled to serve elitist interests exclusively. Venezuelans have the real thing.

Last March, Obama issued an executive order targeting Venezuelan officials, freezing their assets, blocking their entry into America - at the same time, absurdly declaring a national emergency, calling Venezuela an "extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States…"

Last week he renewed his EO, condemned by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States last year for interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.

Millions of Venezuelans signed a petition, calling for the decree to be rescinded. No threat whatever exists.

Diplomatic relations between Washington and Venezuela are uneasy at best, neither country represented by ambassadors for the past six years.

On March 10, Maduro recalled his charge d'affairs, Maximilien Sanchez Arvelaiz, saying he returned him to Caracas in response to Washington renewing its lawless sanctions.

He instructed Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez "to take steps in the coming weeks to defend the country, and take measures which will be announced at the appropriate time."

He called his action part of a broader "comprehensive anti-imperialist plan." External and internal threats against him continue, Washington conspiring with fascist National Assembly members to oust him before his term ends in 2019 - aiming for removal within six months.

A "roadmap" was announced, a "change of government" scheme. Fascist opposition head Jesus Torrealba said Venezuela "absolute(ly) need(s) to get rid of this government."

Maduro countered, declaring "no one will take me away from here, gentlemen." Former National Assembly Speaker Diosdado Cabello said "(w)e honestly have no doubt that none of the (opposition schemes) will succeed." Judicial and public opposition will block them.

Torrealba's scheme has four components, including:

a constitutional amendment shortening presidential terms from six to four years;

a recall referendum, requiring about four million validated signatures,  20% of the electorate;

street mobilizations demanding Maduro step down, perhaps orchestrated to be violent; and

convening a constituent assembly to initiate constitutional revisions.

Major obstacles may block efforts to achieve the above objectives. Reduced presidential terms, if enacted, would only apply to future executives.

An earlier effort to remove Chavez by recall referendum overwhelmingly failed. Legal obstacles alone are daunting.

Violent street protests similar to US-orchestrated ones in 2014 may be planned. Dozens died, many others injured. Chaos continued for months. 

What fascist parliamentarians in cahoots with Washington have in mind this time remains to be seen.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.