To recognise or not to recongise

The Venezuelan president is heavily supported by the military and has steered the country towards higher poverty

There is a break in history insofar as the Venezuelan leadership is concerned. Although tensions were on the rise, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was dethroned by Opposition leader Juan Guaido almost overnight. The power tussle is complex. Maduro is criticised for supporting anti-democratic politics by Guaido and citizens at large, which were initial causes of the protest. Maduro is heavily supported by the Venezuelan military and has steered the country towards higher poverty. Guaido, however, has proclaimed himself interim president. The matter has the world watching: South American countries and the US have voiced support for Guaido while Turkey has lent support to Maduro. Pakistan’s position in Venezuelan politics might, therefore, also align with that of Turkey.

The prominent stance taken by Turkey is risky. The Pakistani leadership has recently become enamoured with the leadership of President Erdogan. However, to follow in these footsteps might be a mistake. With PM Imran Khan, we have already faced onslaught about siding with the right wing which is thought to be restrictive and dictatorial in nature. Thus, supporting Maduro would present Pakistan as supporting dictatorial and military leaderships. It may be best for Pakistan to remain neutral.

While Guaido has been sworn in and is being recognised by the country, his self-proclamation is not appropriate in a democracy, either. The temptation must be there for PM Khan to side with Maduro. But Maduro’s unpopular policies should be recognised as the reason that the US and other regional countries support the opposition, despite Venezuela’s Supreme Court discrediting its National Assembly. As a struggling democracy, we must not become influenced by dictatorial leaders. A calculated stance should be made, if any. A leader, Maduro, who refuses to acknowledge mistakes and the resistance of his people and make peace is not a supporter of democratic values.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2019.

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