RPT: ANALYSIS - Guaido Backs US Military Intervention After Losing Credibility Among Opposition

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th May, 2019) Desperate Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is calling on the United States to intervene militarily in Venezuela because he has lost credibility among his own supporters while the Trump administration stands ready to exploit the country's resources, analysts told Sputnik.

On April 30, Guaido proclaimed and media reported worldwide that a military insurrection was underway to topple President Nicolas Maduro while Trump administration officials said senior Venezuelan government leaders were prepared to defect. By the end of the day, however, it became apparent none of the reports were true. The following day hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans marched in the streets to support Maduro.

Guaido over the weekend told the Washington Post he would welcome US military assistance in the wake of last week's failed coup attempt.

Latin American Perspectives Associate Managing Editor Steve Ellner told Sputnik that the failed coup forced Guaido to take more drastic measures.

"Three times this year - on January 23, February 23 and more recently on April 30 - Guaido assured his followers that Maduro would be ousted in a matter of days. As a result of these three defeats, Guaido has lost credibility among the opposition's rank and file. His support for US military intervention has to be seen in this context," Ellner said.

Public opinion surveys indicated that the large majority of Venezuelans opposed US military intervention in Venezuela, Ellner, whose edited book "Latin America's Pink Tide: Breakthroughs and Shortcomings" will be released by Rowman and Littlefield, noted.

"That Guaido has indicated receptivity to the idea shouldn't be surprising. He belongs to the radical wing of the opposition that is grouped in his Voluntad Popular party and other parties that oppose dialogue with the government," he said.

These "radicals" include Antonio Ledezma who uses the euphemism "humanitarian intervention" to refer to military intervention, Ellner observed. The group of radicals also includes Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro who claims that US military intervention in Venezuela would not violate international law, he added.

"Another radical is Diego Arria who asserts that a U.S. military intervention would be welcomed by the Venezuelan people. This position has no basis in fact," Ellner explained.

Finally, exiled trade union leader Carlos Ortega who led two attempts to overthrow then-President Hugo Chavez in 2002-2003 has also called for a military solution coming from abroad, Ellner said.

"These leaders - Ledezma, Arria, and Voluntad Popular - do not enjoy major electoral backing. By far, the two major parties of the opposition - Primero Justicia and Accion Democratica - do not belong to the radical fringe," Ellner emphasized.

US officials for months have repeatedly said they are considering military options to oust Maduro. On Tuesday, Maduro told the RT broadcaster that the United States wants to intervene to take control of the country's oil resources and other material wealth.

The Venezuelan president also called on the international community to condemn US plans to intervene and "to stop the madness of Donald Trump."

Venezuela sits on the world's largest proven oil reserves, which Guaido has promised to let US corporations exploit by privatizing the energy industry.

Former president Hugo Chavez, who led Venezuela from 1999-2013, nationalized the country's oil industry, which forced out major US and international oil producers such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron and BP.

Earlier this year, White House National Security Adviser John Bolton told FOX news that "it will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela."

University of Pittsburgh Professor of International Affairs Michael Brenner told Sputnik that the only debate among US policymakers with respect to Venezuela is whether the United States should continue backing a puppet front man such as Guaido or whether to launch a full blown military invasion.

"The US is reverting to 19th century style imperialism by coercion... I see the answer as a blend of neo-liberalism global rule by plutocratic elites and the impetus/shock troops being neo-Fascist movements which the US is modeling," Brenner said.

The United States and 54 others countries recognized Guaido after he illegally proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela in late January. Russia, China, and a number of other countries have said they recognize Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Maduro is also recognized by most UN member states.