Shame on the Globe for endorsing President Trump’s blatant and aggressive policy of regime change in Venezuela (“Hope for Venezuela,” Editorial, Jan. 26). Despite his many failings, Nicolás Maduro was elected president by Venezuelan citizens in a contest that most of the political opposition chose to boycott—and that many believe they could have won. As has been widely reported, the advance promise from the United States of support to hard-liner Juan Guaidó was the crucial factor leading to his provocative self-declaration as president, creating a political crisis that has greatly increased the risk of violent conflict through a military coup or civil war.
Is it really acceptable to allow US Latin America policy to be dictated by Marco Rubio and Florida politics, or by our president’s desperate efforts to distract from his domestic woes?
Instead, we should be following Mexico’s lead by supporting a negotiated political settlement in Venezuela that will end further economic hardship and bloodshed.
Emily Achtenberg
Boston
The writer is a contributing editor and editorial board member of the North American Congress on Latin America.
