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MORAL policing should never be the responsibility of a leader who refuses to acknowledge his nation’s own crimes and furthermore continues to commit such transgressions against other independent nations.
Have we forgotten about the bogus 2003 Weapons of mass destruction claim against Iraq which subsequently led to its invasion? The impact of the war had significantly destabilised the Middle East and fundamentally reshaped its geopolitical landscape. Its aftermath led to a power vacuum and facilitated the rise of new, potent non-state actors. What is next for Venezuela and the rest of Latin America?
Trump’s blatant declaration that the U.S. will "run" the country until a "safe" transition, is something we simply cannot ignore due the fact that with an estimated 303 billion barrels, Venezuela is home to the world's largest proven oil reserves.
Globally nation leaders are still adjusting to Trump having weaponised “tariffs” to protect U.S. industries and extract concessions from them, and now a precedent has been set for sending the troops when one does not "listen" to the American President?
The United Nations Security Council member Colombia requested the emergency meeting following the military operation in Venezuela, during which it removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros and his wife, Cilia Flores, from the country. Venezuela also sent a letter on 3 January requesting an emergency Council meeting with China and Russia supporting the meeting request.
Critics have drawn some parallels to the American 1989 incursion into Panama, in which it removed General Manuel Noriega, the de facto ruler of the country at the time. The circumstances may have been different, but history is always written by winners. Humanity must be reminded that once you get more empowered you must instead become more inclusive.
Covid-19 clearly did not provide a reset for world leaders to develop a framework for nations to coexist. The start of a new year is just another opportunity to teach us that humanity remains to be its own greatest enemy.
Aidi Amin Yazid
KEADILAN Deputy Secretary General