The Venezuelan Deception: Unpacking Max Blumenthal’s Analysis

Max Blumenthal recently joined Judge Andrew Napolitano to discuss the complex situation in Venezuela and shed light on what the American public might not be hearing. The conversation also touched upon Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request for a pardon and the broader implications of US foreign policy.

Key Takeaways

• The US military’s actions in the Caribbean, particularly concerning Venezuela, are driven more by domestic political considerations and a desire for regime change than by genuine drug interdiction efforts.
• The narrative of Venezuela being a major source of drug trafficking into the US is largely a fabrication used to justify military buildup and intervention.
• US policy towards Venezuela, and potentially other Latin American countries, is part of a larger regional project aimed at undermining governments perceived as threats to US hegemony.
• There are serious concerns about war crimes being committed by US forces, with a disregard for rules of engagement and civilian casualties.

Netanyahu’s Plea for a Pardon

Before diving into Venezuela, the discussion addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s extensive request for a pardon in his ongoing criminal trials. Blumenthal described it as Netanyahu’s most explicit appeal for clemency yet. He noted the involvement of Israeli President Isaac Herzog and even US President Donald Trump, who has acted as a sort of proxy for Netanyahu on regional policy, urging the Israeli high court and prosecutors to let Netanyahu off the hook. Blumenthal believes Netanyahu is indeed corrupt and attempted to consolidate power before October 7th. However, he also pointed out that Israel is largely a one-party state, and Netanyahu has been adept at eliminating political challenges. His coalition appears stable for at least another year. One of the primary ways Netanyahu has maintained power, according to Blumenthal, is by initiating wars or escalating conflicts, such as the situation in Gaza, which rallies Israelis around the flag and, by extension, around him. This dynamic makes it more likely he’ll pursue further military action if not facing prosecution. Blumenthal concluded that Israeli democracy is currently a "farce" and that there’s no clear successor to Netanyahu, suggesting that his departure could lead to political instability in Israel.

The US Armada in the Caribbean

The conversation then shifted to the US military presence off the coast of Venezuela. Blumenthal argued that the deployment of speedboats and a naval armada was not about genuine negotiations or drug interdiction, but rather a political maneuver by Donald Trump. He explained that Venezuela, under Nicolás Maduro, had been open to negotiations with Trump, particularly regarding renewing Chevron’s license and cooperating on migrant flights. However, this track was superseded by figures like Marco Rubio, who represents what Blumenthal calls the "Gusano Industrial Complex" – a group of Cuban, Venezuelan, and Nicaraguan exiles in South Florida who hold significant sway over the Republican party. For Trump, this situation became about domestic politics. He committed a substantial portion of the US Navy to the Caribbean, falling into what Blumenthal described as Rubio’s trap: launching a "phony drug war" as a cover for a regime-change operation that Trump might not have initially intended. Now, Trump is in a position where he needs to "save face." Blumenthal questioned how Trump would do this, speculating whether it would involve a full-scale war, a symbolic announcement of killing a few drug dealers, or limited strikes. He emphasized that the entire war effort is contingent on removing the Venezuelan government and destroying Venezuela as an independent nation.

The Real Motives Behind the Venezuela Policy

When asked about the true reasons for the US actions, Blumenthal suggested it goes beyond justifying the military buildup or installing figures like María Corina Machado, whom he described as an agent of intelligence agencies. He pointed out that Venezuela, under both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, has been willing to refine its oil, but US sanctions have made this difficult. The US has also seized Venezuela’s largest foreign asset, CITGO, to cripple its economy. Blumenthal believes that US neoconservatives, particularly those with Cuban-American ties like Marco Rubio, view Venezuela as the engine of a regional project that challenges US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Their ultimate goal, he stated, is to topple governments in Cuba and Nicaragua and dismantle center-left movements across South America. The "drug war" narrative, he asserted, is merely a cover for this larger regional agenda, operating under a misinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine.

War Crimes and Deception

Blumenthal highlighted that according to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s own website, there is no significant drug trafficking from Venezuela to the US. He called the government’s narrative a "deception" used to justify actions that include committing war crimes, such as killing civilians at sea. He referenced a specific incident on September 2nd where survivors of a strike were allegedly ordered killed. This aligns with a broader pattern, as described in a book by Pete Hegseth, who advocates for "maximum lethality" and disregarding rules of engagement. Blumenthal cited opposition to these policies from within the military itself, including from the top JAG officer in Southern Command and other JAG officers who have deemed the policy illegal. General Alvin Hollyy, the commander of the operation, is reportedly planning to retire. He also mentioned that only a small percentage of Americans view Venezuela as a threat, according to polls.

The Future of Venezuela and US Policy

Regarding the potential outcomes, Blumenthal expressed doubt that Trump’s people have a clear exit strategy beyond a naval siege and economic strangulation to force Maduro’s resignation. He believes that if Machado were installed through violent, undemocratic means, Venezuela would likely descend into civil war. He also noted that many Venezuelans, regardless of their feelings about Maduro, oppose military strikes. The idea of installing Machado is seen as anti-democratic, and Blumenthal suggested that if she were put in power, Venezuela’s independence would end, and the country would be "looted by Trump’s business cronies."

A Disturbing Cartoon

Finally, the discussion touched upon a disturbing cartoon posted by Pete Hegseth, depicting the beloved children’s character Franklin the Turtle in military gear, killing people in boats. Blumenthal found this deeply depraved, contrasting it with Hegseth’s self-perception as embodying the MAGA ethos. He argued that Hegseth is out of touch with the broader American public’s repulsion towards such policies, surrounded by propagandists and existing in an echo chamber. The conversation concluded with a lighthearted note about a potential "Maxathon" marathon of interviews, underscoring the ongoing importance of these discussions.