War of attrition in Venezuela

As Venezuela is plunged deeper into crisis, the destruction by Maduro regime forces of aid convoys carrying desperately needed medical and food supplies underlines the need for urgent international action. The regime clinging to power in Caracas is subjecting the people to a war of attrition. Following Donald Trump’s lead, more than 50 countries, including Australia, have recognised National Assembly president Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader in place of Nicolas Maduro. They were right to do so. Mr Maduro’s term expired on January 10. Elections last year were rigged, with opposition parties barred from contesting them. The countries that have recognised the constitutional authority of the National Assembly headed by Mr Guaido have done so on the basis of 2015 elections in which the opposition won a two-thirds majority.

Having done so, they must now join together to leave Mr Maduro in no doubt that his time is up, despite the predictable support he is getting from Cuba’s intelligence services as well as Vladimir Putin’s Russia. It’s not going to be easy to dislodge Mr Maduro’s regime. But an increasing number of defections from the armed forces, which have long been rock solid in their support of Mr Maduro, are a promising sign. It is imperative sanctions and other measures are imposed to make it clear to Mr Maduro that his administration is doomed.

Full support for Mr Guaido as Venezuela’s recognised leader, as well as convoys of medical and food supplies that get through to the Venezuelan people, are needed to persuade the army to abandon Mr Maduro’s kleptocracy.

The simple choice the army faces is between continuing to support a dictator who wants to block the aid Venezuelans need and backing Mr Guaido’s government, which wants to see it delivered. After he has reduced what was potentially one of the world’s richest countries to an impoverished wreck, the game is up for Mr Maduro.