Venezuelan Protests

There have been protests occurring in Venezuela against the government of Nicholas Maduro. Since the death of Hugo Chavez, the country has been struggling economically. This does not mean that President Maduro has lost all support. There are suspicions that there are external influences exacerbating internal challenges in regards to rising food and fuel prices. The Trump administration has stated that it wants to see another form of government in Venezuela. Prior to this the Maduro presidency claimed that it was victim of an attempted drone attack by the US. It would not be surprising that there is another plan for regime change in Venezuela. Such a plan was was attempted in 2002 under the Bush administration. Even more bizarre was  Juan Guaido declaring himself interim president. So far, The US and Guatemala recognize him as the legitimate leader of the country. This seem ludicrous when Maduro won the election and has not been removed from office or resigned. The US intends to add more sanctions to a country already struggling. Leftist governments are under attack in Latin America by far-right resurgence with US support. Brazil was the testing ground and it is possible Bolivia will be another target. There is a fear that the country may even fall into a state of civil war if escalation continues. Mainstream media was to present the Maduro government as authoritarian and oppressive, when Guaido has the backing of big business and foreign entities. France 24 did not mention the pro-Maduro rallies and their confrontation with the opposition. The situation is far more complex than a leader versus the people. Venezuela represents the challenges of creating a stable socialist government, being too reliant on a single natural resource, and the legacy of US imperialism in Latin America.