Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sparked controversy by calling for the 'liberation' of Puerto Rico from the United States, invoking Simón Bolívar as a justification.
Venezuela n President Nicolás Maduro has called for a campaign for the 'liberation' of Puerto Rico from the United States. Maduro, who assumed power in 2013 following the death of Hugo Chávez from cancer, was sworn in for a third six-year term this past Friday. This inauguration occurred despite rebukes from the United States and other governments that contend he stole last year's election and widespread protests preceding the ceremony. The U.S.
and other governments recognized Maduro's opponent, Edmundo González, as the victor of last July's election. On Friday, the U.S. announced a $25 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest or conviction, highlighting a renewed effort to destabilize Maduro's presidency and bolster the opposition's bid to restore democracy.Although the likelihood of Puerto Rico being invaded appears slim, Maduro's comments serve as a reminder of the Venezuelan challenges that await President-elect Donald Trump upon his return to the White House on January 20. Maduro invoked Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan soldier who liberated much of South America from Spanish rule, during his speech about Puerto Rico. 'Just as in the north they have a colonization agenda, we have a liberation agenda,' Maduro said during the closing of the International Anti-Fascist Festival in Caracas on Saturday. 'And our agenda was written by Simón Bolívar. The freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops...leading the way.'Newsweek has attempted to contact the White House and the Trump transition team via email for comment. Puerto Rico has been under U.S. control since the 1898 Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917, but they cannot vote in general elections and lack voting representation in Congress due to the island's political status. A majority of voters, 57 percent, chose for Puerto Rico to become a U.S. state in a nonbinding referendum in November, while only 12 percent voted for independence. This vote was the first referendum that did not offer an option for maintaining the island's current status as a U.S. territory. However, Puerto Rico's status can only change with approval from Congress. Amílcar Antonio Barreto, a professor of cultures, societies, and global studies at Northeastern University whose work has focused on Puerto Rico and Latinos in the U.S., stated to Newsweek: 'I don't think anyone is going to take this seriously—in Puerto Rico, the U.S., or Brazil.' Christina Ponsa-Kraus, a professor of legal history at Columbia Law School, told Newsweek: 'The Puerto Rican people have never—not once—voted for independence. For more than a century, they have been united in their desire to remain part of the United States one way or another, whether through statehood or some other form of association.' And this past November, statehood received 57 percent of the vote. While support for independence did rise, reaching a little over 30 percent, that still leaves a supermajority opposed to independence. In other words, President Maduro is just another in an endless line of politicians who are happy to ignore the will of the Puerto Rican electorate and instead exploit the issue of Puerto Rico's status for their own political gain.' Former national security adviser John Bolton previously told Newsweek he would advise Marco Rubio, Trump's secretary of state nominee, 'to ensure that Maduro does not believe he has won.' He added: 'When the opposition loses momentum, it gives dictators like Maduro the opportunity to strengthen their grip.' The White House, following President Joe Biden's meeting with González on Monday, said: 'President Biden reiterated his support for Venezuela's democratic aspirations and underscored the U.S. commitment to holding Maduro and his representatives accountable for their anti-democratic and repressive actions. This includes working closely with democratic allies across the hemisphere and around the world.
VENEZUELA NICOLAS MADURO PUERTO RICO USA SIMON BOLIVAR DEMOCRACY POLITICS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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