Influence Strategies and the Evolution towards Democratic Governance

In a nutshell, the US uses a crafty imperialist game plan against Venezuela that marries hard and soft power to orchestrate regime change and snatch natural resources, primarily oil wealth and regional clout.

Here's the crappy lowdown: imagine the US forced you to hand over your hard-earned dough in broad daylight with a gun at your temple, that's hard power. But, if they wrangled you into a Ponzi scheme, conning you into giving up your cash, that's soft power—same outcome, different methods.

This dynamic is played out on the world stage with the US pulling the trigger (or trick) to oust Maduro and claim Venezuela's resources. In 2019, the US openly backed Guaidó's bogus claim to the presidency, kicking off one of Washington's most headline-grabbing attempts at regime change since the Cold War era[1].

While the hard power tactics are painful (and newsworthy)—think military threats and crippling sanctions—it's the insidious soft power strategies that often do the most damage. These covert operations unfold through political manipulation, cultural infiltration, and media narratives.

To back their story, the US spins a neat yarn starring Maduro as a dictator and Guaidó as democracy's knight in shining armor[1][4]. Meanwhile, pro-Maduro outlets counter this tale by calling the US a puppetmaster pulling the strings on Venezuela[4][5].

But there's more to the story. The US allows their oil conglomerates to secretly place a leg-up in contested territories like the Essequibo region, blockading competitors like China and Russia from capitalizing on Venezuela's resources[5].

To make matters worse, the US hypocritically labels Maduro's government as illegitimate while channelling funds through NGOs to back opposition groups[2][5]. These under-the-table dealings contribute to a toxic political climate that constantly threatens Venezuela's stability.

So, while Maduro manages to dodge military intervention for now, he's been battling significant attempts, including a 2019 attempt to rally a foreign attack using a fake humanitarian convoy and a 2020 failed mercenary incursion called "Operation Gideon".

While hard power strategies always grab headlines for their destructive nature, it's the subtle yet relentless soft power moves that drag regime change plans along. Just like slow leaks, they can create chaos if left unattended.

A perfect example of this silent enemy is US cultural imperialism, from Hollywood to the music industry, working to extend their influence globally. But soft power goes a step further in the Global South: the US funds non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that disguise themselves as humanitarian initiatives, but secretly serve US interests[1].

Take the example of Venezuela, which has experienced its fair share of US-sponsored NGOs funding regime change activities and peddling right-wing propaganda[1]. This year, the US set aside a cool $54.0 million to support democratic factions, human rights advocates, and other civil society organizations in Latin America, corralling funds for countries that have accepted Venezuelan refugees[1].

These disguised political initiatives have been a thorn in Venezuela's side for two decades, increasing in recent years due to Maduro's alleged authoritarian rule[1]. NGOs like PROVEA, which receives funding from international institutions like the Open Society and the Ford Foundation, have been vocal critics of the Maduro government and have close ties to the US[1].

In fact, in their latest report, PROVEA regurgitated the US party line, bashing Maduro's tenure and denying any significant impact of US sanctions on Venezuela's economic crisis[1]. On the flip side, NGO Control Ciudadano, infamously linked to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) since 2017, was Detained this year for suspected involvement in a terrorist plot[1].

Venezuela's government is trying to combat this behind-the-scenes interference with a bill to monitor and regulate NGOs, especially their funding sources to prevent further political destabilization at the hands of Western imperialism.

But the soft power hits keep on coming: the US also funds anti-government media outlets, providing those outlets with funds under the guise of "democracy-promotion" programs[1]. Venezuela has recently called out the UK for their role in financing anti-government outlets like El Pitazo, Efecto Cocuyo, and Caraota Digital[1].

So, while the US grumbles about the vital role of democracy worldwide, they're simultaneously bankrolling anti-government propaganda that purports to promote democracy, all while pushing their capitalist agenda under the guise of democracy and foreign aid.

In conclusion, the best way to fight back is to reinforce national identity, protect cultural roots, and champion the political project that brought our countries into conflict with US imperialism in the first place. And of course, continuously exposing and blasting these soft power tactics can help minimize their impact and cut off their sinister tendrils.

Andreína Chávez Alava, born in Maracaibo in 2012, studied journalism at the University of Zulia and immediately plunged into writing and radio production while taking part in local and international solidarity struggles. In 2014, she joined TeleSUR, climbing through the ranks to become editor-in-chief of news, analysis, and multimedia content. Based in Caracas since 2021, she now writes for and manages the social media presence of Venezuelanalysis while being a member of Venezuelan artist collective Utopix. Her areas of interest are popular and feminist struggles.

The art of imperialism in the US approach towards Venezuela is a sophisticated blend of hard and soft power, designed to instigate regime change and seize natural resources, primarily oil wealth and regional influence.
Soft power tactics, while less obvious than hard power, can often inflict significant damage through political manipulation, cultural infiltration, and media narratives.
The US masks Maduro as a dictator and Guaidó as a savior of democracy in its media narratives, while PRO-Maduro outlets portray the US as a puppet master.
US oil conglomerates secretly gain an advantage in contested territories like the Essequibo region, hindering competitors like China and Russia from benefiting from Venezuela's resources.
The US hypocritically labels Maduro's government as illegitimate while funneling money through NGOs to support opposition groups, contributing to a toxic political climate.
Attempts to rally a foreign attack using a fake humanitarian convoy and a failed mercenary incursion called "Operation Gideon" are examples of hard power strategies aimed at regime change.
Soft power strategies, much like slow leaks, can create chaos if left unattended and are often more effective in influencing regime change.
Cultural imperialism, such as Hollywood and the music industry, works to extend US influence globally, but soft power goes a step further, funding NGOs that disguise themselves as humanitarian initiatives but secretly serve US interests.
Venezuela has been impacted by US-sponsored NGOs funding regime change activities and peddling right-wing propaganda for two decades, with recent increases due to Maduro's alleged authoritarian rule.
NGOs like PROVEA, which receives funding from international institutions, have been vocal critics of the Maduro government and have close ties to the US.
Anti-government media outlets, funded by the US under the guise of "democracy-promotion" programs, spread propaganda that supports the US capitalist agenda while masquerading as promoters of democracy and foreign aid.
Venezuela has called out countries like the UK for their role in financing anti-government media outlets like El Pitazo, Efecto Cocuyo, and Caraota Digital.
To counter this behind-the-scenes interference, Venezuela's government is proposing a bill to monitor and regulate NGOs, especially their funding sources, to prevent further political destabilization caused by Western imperialism.
In the fight against imperialism, reinforcing national identity, protecting cultural roots, and advocating for the political project that led to conflict with US imperialism are key strategies.
Continuously exposing and opposing these soft power tactics can help minimize their impact and weaken their influence.