At first, Trump proposed an isolationist vision for the United States. Now, however, the new occupant of the White House is pursuing a policy of clear and devastating interference in international crises. In Europe, he supports Brexit and increases the costs of NATO. In the Middle East, he’s getting involved in wars from Syria to Saudi Arabia to Israel and Palestine. Yes, America first. There’s no design, just a well-organized and dangerous chaos.
This came to mind Wednesday night in light of the dramatic news from Venezuela. A national police helicopter flew over the center of Caracas and threw four grenades at the headquarters of the Supreme Court of Justice, which is guilty of respecting the legitimacy of the democratically elected Nicolas Maduro. Maduro denounced the “terrorist attack” and is ready to defend the Bolivarian Revolution “even with weapons.” More recently, they’ve characterized the story as the act of a rogue exhibitionist, as a “practice run.” That’s possible. The attack was real, although there were no casualties.
We are no longer dealing with demonstrations such as those orchestrated by the right and supported by the global mainstream media in the face of a heavy social crisis with soaring inflation and a lack of food. And those — ignored but strong, organized and combative — defending the government. There have been more than 70 deaths so far, both opposition and pro-Maduro.