Venezuela is caught in a political and economic tailspin, a crisis that has uprooted millions of people and left the future of the country in ambiguity. Against this backdrop, Edmundo González, a leading opposition figure living in self-imposed exile after threats from Nicolás Maduro’s regime, has launched a diplomatic tour around the Americas, including the U.S. and Argentina, and recently to Uruguay and Panama. The trip is a strategic move to strengthen alliances in the Americas and gain support for a democratic transition in Venezuela. Last summer, the Maduro regime expelled ambassadors from seven Latin American nations in response to election criticism, including those from Panama and Uruguay.
González engaged with prominent authorities in Panama, such as President José Raúl Mulino, and, according to Panamanian media reports, Mulino said he recognized González as Venezuela’s “elected head of state” and offered his government’s support.
González also met with Uruguay’s President, Luis Lacalle Pou. Since the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, Pou has become more critical of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, urging the United Nations to prioritize the crisis in Venezuela and warning that Maduro’s actions threaten democracy in the region.
The results of the recent election declaring Maduro the winner were widely condemned internationally amid allegations of massive irregularities, yet the international response has been mixed and disunited. The United States and the European Union have taken a hard stance, slapping new sanctions on Maduro’s government; meanwhile, many Latin American countries have been critical of the election yet reluctant to take decisive action on cutting economic or political ties with Venezuela. Some countries like Cuba and Nicaragua openly back Maduro. This lack of unity, particularly among regional neighbors, weakens the impact of diplomatic and economic pressure.
Now in its second decade with Maduro, Venezuela’s deepening crisis has withstood many international efforts to end it. The current approach of economic sanctions and isolating Nicolás Maduro’s regime has produced mixed results. These measures, critics say, have done nothing to erode Maduro’s grip and have exacerbated hardships for ordinary Venezuelans. The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned those accused of undermining democracy and human rights in Maduro’s government in an effort to hold the regime accountable while minimizing damage to the population at large. However, the use of sanctions has been debated, with some arguing that they offer critical pressure for democratic change while others say that they create more economic suffering. Sanctions on key sectors, like oil and finance, limit the regime’s revenue and can also indirectly reduce the government’s ability to provide essential services. Furthermore, policies isolating Venezuela have driven Maduro to strengthen his alliances with countries like Russia, China, and Iran, which provide financial and political support to his government.
The inability to enforce agreements or to hold Maduro accountable has only continued to exacerbate the crisis, leaving millions of Venezuelans lacking necessities. Around 7.9 million Venezuelans are living outside of their country, hoping for better opportunities due to the instability, hyperinflation, and sanctions. Diplomacy must shift to prioritizing humanitarian aid and grassroots operations as central strategies for overcoming the current impasse. In order to create a unified front that can support a democratic transition, this strategy should also prioritize strengthening ties among opposition leaders, including González.
Venezuela has long required regional and Latin American intervention. It seems Venezuela will not receive meaningful assistance until the consequences are felt and severe. Gonzalez can lead the movement for change as he has regional credibility and firmly believes in advocating for free and fair elections in Venezuela. Working through regional bodies, such as O.A.S., to create dialogue engaging in the regional interest of Venezuela’s refugee crisis should also be pursued. This begins with emboldening local authorities to deter Maduro, which appears to be the goal of González’s diplomatic tour.
The opposition should aim to gain credibility, resources, and people to achieve their credibility goals. Ideally, the international partners should provide funding for establishing safe digital systems through which a leader such as González can reach the people of Venezuela without passing through regime-controlled media. These systems can be used as effective tools to counter government propaganda. In addition to building these systems, creating unity among opposition leaders would present an ideal alternative to Maduro’s rule that could resonate with the Venezuelan people and gain credibility with foreign allies.
González’s recent visits underscore the growing international push for democratic reform in Venezuela, with the U.S. reaffirming Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect. In a call with González, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the U.S. commitment to restoring democracy in Venezuela per the will of the Venezuelan people and that, in this process, they will demand the freedom of all political prisoners. Regional leaders, such as former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, have echoed calls for decisive action, reflecting the pressing need to dismantle Maduro’s authoritarian regime.
There should be sufficient combined international and regional pressure against Maduro’s regime. This pressure can take different forms, such as diplomatic pressure, continuous sanctions on the regime’s key sponsors if necessary, and support for organized resistance within Venezuela. While outright military intervention will always be a last resort and fraught with risks, the threat of force—combined with the tangible backing for democratic opposition—may be necessary to compel Maduro to step aside.
Even for those who do not fully support the opposition leadership, figures like González represent a viable and far better alternative to dictatorship. The path forward requires a multifaceted strategy that prioritizes the well-being of Venezuelans, ensures humanitarian aid, and works for a concrete transition to democracy. A cooperative effort with international powers is needed to amplify pressure on Maduro while ensuring that solutions are designed to restore dignity and freedom to the people of Venezuela without causing further harm. The Venezuelan people cannot and should not endure endless cycles of suffering under authoritarian rule.
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