Uriel Epshtein responds to María Corina Machado's critics. Jay Nordlinger contextualizes the award for the Venezuelan dissident and its place in Nobel history.
In expressing appreciation for support by Trump, Machado is in part following the example of the American Revolution. In that struggle against the king and parliament of Great Britain for a legislative voice in the levying of taxes and other features of representative government, Americans solicited military support from various govenments, including the corrupt monarchy of France. Advocates for democracy appealing to the world outside their borders often find that the enemy of their enemy can be a useful friend, even when that friend may not be a model for democracy.
I'm not an admirer of Trump, mostly because that endless series of belligerent, I provocative tweets is as divisive and unpresidential as any practice could be. More than that, the constant talk masks the fact that the walk is quite conventional. Trump is not particularly undemocratic in practice, no more so than the last three Presidents have had to be in view of the continuing failure of Congress to act as a congress. The Republic is in no danger, democracy is in no danger, although the populist revolt Trump is leading is going to transform a great many conventions, just as Andrew Jackson did almost a century ago. The resistance of the Democrats, rushing to unelected judges do not have the wisdom to abide with useful and wise conventions of judicial restraint, is actually far more undemocratic than anything Trump has done.
You do what you need to do to accomplish your goal, and if flattering Trump is one of those , so be it. You do imperfect things to deal with an imperfect world. So much counterproductive nonsense generated by elements of the left.
As a venezuelan I can't thank you enough for your article. It's so easy for those not living in a dictatorship (and no, Trump is not a dictator. He would like to, buy isn't yet, and most people in the USA can protest in the streets and nothing will happen to them) to moralize about what dignity is or is not. When you have entire families imprisoned and tortured, even worse simply disappeared, you begin to understand that fighting against a dictatorship is very hard and you can't ask everyone to sacrifice their lives and that of their families. If we could we would have ousted them years ago, or at least last year when we demonstrably won the presidential election. We can't so we ask for help because it's that or it's organizing a militia movement (more violence, more blood). And for those wondering, yes, it was easier to oust Pinochet than Cuba's or Venezuela's regimes. Sadly so.
You are correct in pointing out that the criticisms are a decidedly American-centric perspective. Few countries feel as betrayed by the U.S. right now than us in Canada, yet we recognize that our wellbeing is directly related to our ability to play Trump’s (admittedly moronic) game. Thus, our PM being deferential to Trump in their recent meetings, etc. You do what you have to do today to (hopefully) get to a slightly better tomorrow.
Thank you for these essays. WRT the Epshtein essay, I understand the points made. However, Trump will only do what benefits him. Machado may learn that this doesn’t necessarily include actions that align with her goals.
"When Zelenskyy arrives at the White House this Friday, I am sure that he will be full of praise for the president. Is it unfortunate that matters of geopolitical importance are decided by how well world leaders flatter the president? Yes. But Zelenskyy would be irresponsible if he didn’t pull every lever to get aid for his embattled nation."
It has been truly astonishing to see Machado criticised so vehemently over this last week. Your corrective is badly needed. Perfect should not be the enemy of good in this context. Americans would be lucky to have someone of her courage and commitment to lead their opposition to Trumps march towards autocracy. Some of her critics may well find in the days ahead that a leader who is willing to put everything into a fight and compromise to achieve freedom for her people from Maduro's dictatorship is just what USA needs not some idealistic talks a good game dimwit who never thinks about anything longer than the next media moment.
Machado was in an extremely tough spot. Trump, who is desperate for the prize, may become Maduro curious just to retaliate against her and the cause she supports.
Here’s a perspective that is definitely not in defense of Machado. When reports came that she called to appease Trump I knew there was more to dig into here. 😣
This article is horrible: full of out of content half truths and open lies. What is most important to remember though, is that last year EGU and MCM won the election 70% to 30% and the Venezuela regime simply fudged the results and started killing and imprisoning and torturing even children and pregnant women (don't believe me, check the International Court 's report). Even today, after all we've gone through polls suggest an 86% support of MCM (understandably polls can be dismissed if you wish). Maybe you do not agree with her policies, but democracy asserts that given free and fair elections people have the right to choose and they have chosen, so we can't say she is not democratic because we don't like her policies. She is a freedom fighter because she is fighting for free and fair elections, because she is fighting for human rights and mostly because she is fighting to oust the corrupt and criminal elites that have impoverished 90% of the population and collapsed the state.
Thanks for this assessment. Absolutely free and fair elections are a foundational piece of democracy.
From what I read my understanding is her policies otherwise are not what the people want though? Or maybe that’s just opinion. I got the impression that one regime was thrown out to embrace a softer one. That being said, the US will likely have essentially the same problem if/when power ever shifts away from MAGA types - the feeling among far left types is that it will just be rule all over again but less overt.
Quite on the contrary. Her policies are what people want. You have to understand that almost one third of the population has left Venezuela because of political persecution or simply because of economic necessity. Families have been separated, older generations are dying without medical assistance and mostly on their own, with no one to take care of them. Basic public services have collapsed, police and military forces are corrupt and very violent and there are absolutely no guarantees as a citizen. Many children are left with grandparents and there is total collapse in education because kids can't go to school and because there are almost no teachers left. In this scenario, Maria Corina is worshiped. People (men, women and children) would hug her on the streets and just weep. That's why she was able to endorse her popularity to an absolute stranger to politics (she was arbitrarily prohibited from running herself) in less than a month and still win with 70% of votes. From a US centric left-right vision it's really hard to understand, but the poor vs the elites discourse is BS. The only real elites in Venezuela are the members of the corrupt criminal government and their cronies.
It has both what critics say, what supporters say, and the middle ground
And with the recent reporting implying there will be a deal for Venezuela’s oil I just have to think there are a lot of concerns…not among the elites for sure, but definitely among the people, if they have access to real info or trust it. (Just like here in the US there are people who support Trump’s policies, but they don’t trust the actual facts of what is happening.)
Time To Organize Against Cheeto and His Nazi Allies
The upcoming Oct 18 No Kings protest is a rallying point around which we can consolidate our voices in dissent of what Cheeto and his Nazi party are trying to do to our government
But as important is to develop a long term strategy for our movement As Marc Elias writes in Democracy Docket(https://bit.ly/4n0Qj1J) there needs to be a long range plan that requires organizing around a set of strategies that ensure the takedown of this radical right wing fascist movement that we have come to know as MAGA which by the way has been in the works for at least 2 decades This is not just about 2026 but there and beyond 2028, 2030, 2032 Apathy doesn’t win
As Elias points out we need to organize for the long term around the protection of voting rights, supporting each other with conviction and energy, and being proactive not reactive So much of what is termed journalism is merely a reporting of what has happened in the day While that’s valuable we need to go on the offensive with a plan to attack MAGA Sadly the DNC is woefully behind the power curve and it’s up to all of us to show up WE the People show up and lead the way but that’s how it should always be
In expressing appreciation for support by Trump, Machado is in part following the example of the American Revolution. In that struggle against the king and parliament of Great Britain for a legislative voice in the levying of taxes and other features of representative government, Americans solicited military support from various govenments, including the corrupt monarchy of France. Advocates for democracy appealing to the world outside their borders often find that the enemy of their enemy can be a useful friend, even when that friend may not be a model for democracy.
I'm not an admirer of Trump, mostly because that endless series of belligerent, I provocative tweets is as divisive and unpresidential as any practice could be. More than that, the constant talk masks the fact that the walk is quite conventional. Trump is not particularly undemocratic in practice, no more so than the last three Presidents have had to be in view of the continuing failure of Congress to act as a congress. The Republic is in no danger, democracy is in no danger, although the populist revolt Trump is leading is going to transform a great many conventions, just as Andrew Jackson did almost a century ago. The resistance of the Democrats, rushing to unelected judges do not have the wisdom to abide with useful and wise conventions of judicial restraint, is actually far more undemocratic than anything Trump has done.
Trump tried to the STEAL the election of 2021. Pretty undemocratic, I would day. Nobody should ever forget J6.
You do what you need to do to accomplish your goal, and if flattering Trump is one of those , so be it. You do imperfect things to deal with an imperfect world. So much counterproductive nonsense generated by elements of the left.
Why do we always talk in terms of "left" and "right"? I'm an Independent, and I found Machado's dedication extremely concerning.
As a venezuelan I can't thank you enough for your article. It's so easy for those not living in a dictatorship (and no, Trump is not a dictator. He would like to, buy isn't yet, and most people in the USA can protest in the streets and nothing will happen to them) to moralize about what dignity is or is not. When you have entire families imprisoned and tortured, even worse simply disappeared, you begin to understand that fighting against a dictatorship is very hard and you can't ask everyone to sacrifice their lives and that of their families. If we could we would have ousted them years ago, or at least last year when we demonstrably won the presidential election. We can't so we ask for help because it's that or it's organizing a militia movement (more violence, more blood). And for those wondering, yes, it was easier to oust Pinochet than Cuba's or Venezuela's regimes. Sadly so.
You are correct in pointing out that the criticisms are a decidedly American-centric perspective. Few countries feel as betrayed by the U.S. right now than us in Canada, yet we recognize that our wellbeing is directly related to our ability to play Trump’s (admittedly moronic) game. Thus, our PM being deferential to Trump in their recent meetings, etc. You do what you have to do today to (hopefully) get to a slightly better tomorrow.
Thank you for these essays. WRT the Epshtein essay, I understand the points made. However, Trump will only do what benefits him. Machado may learn that this doesn’t necessarily include actions that align with her goals.
GReaT P0ST : THaNKY0u VeRRRRY MuCH
"When Zelenskyy arrives at the White House this Friday, I am sure that he will be full of praise for the president. Is it unfortunate that matters of geopolitical importance are decided by how well world leaders flatter the president? Yes. But Zelenskyy would be irresponsible if he didn’t pull every lever to get aid for his embattled nation."
What is your take, Mr. Epshtein, on how that all went? https://thehill.com/policy/international/5561177-trump-zelensky-russia-ukraine-war-talks/
Thank you both for clearing that up!
It has been truly astonishing to see Machado criticised so vehemently over this last week. Your corrective is badly needed. Perfect should not be the enemy of good in this context. Americans would be lucky to have someone of her courage and commitment to lead their opposition to Trumps march towards autocracy. Some of her critics may well find in the days ahead that a leader who is willing to put everything into a fight and compromise to achieve freedom for her people from Maduro's dictatorship is just what USA needs not some idealistic talks a good game dimwit who never thinks about anything longer than the next media moment.
Machado was in an extremely tough spot. Trump, who is desperate for the prize, may become Maduro curious just to retaliate against her and the cause she supports.
Here’s a perspective that is definitely not in defense of Machado. When reports came that she called to appease Trump I knew there was more to dig into here. 😣
By White Rose R
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0fDCESZGM9tMsk59Jfea3zdy1Fm6w8xpzdDr6VJ4MosLVEGnTKNbv1uAuLwM2Wt7ml&id=100069002386137&mibextid=wwXIfr
This article is horrible: full of out of content half truths and open lies. What is most important to remember though, is that last year EGU and MCM won the election 70% to 30% and the Venezuela regime simply fudged the results and started killing and imprisoning and torturing even children and pregnant women (don't believe me, check the International Court 's report). Even today, after all we've gone through polls suggest an 86% support of MCM (understandably polls can be dismissed if you wish). Maybe you do not agree with her policies, but democracy asserts that given free and fair elections people have the right to choose and they have chosen, so we can't say she is not democratic because we don't like her policies. She is a freedom fighter because she is fighting for free and fair elections, because she is fighting for human rights and mostly because she is fighting to oust the corrupt and criminal elites that have impoverished 90% of the population and collapsed the state.
Thanks for this assessment. Absolutely free and fair elections are a foundational piece of democracy.
From what I read my understanding is her policies otherwise are not what the people want though? Or maybe that’s just opinion. I got the impression that one regime was thrown out to embrace a softer one. That being said, the US will likely have essentially the same problem if/when power ever shifts away from MAGA types - the feeling among far left types is that it will just be rule all over again but less overt.
Quite on the contrary. Her policies are what people want. You have to understand that almost one third of the population has left Venezuela because of political persecution or simply because of economic necessity. Families have been separated, older generations are dying without medical assistance and mostly on their own, with no one to take care of them. Basic public services have collapsed, police and military forces are corrupt and very violent and there are absolutely no guarantees as a citizen. Many children are left with grandparents and there is total collapse in education because kids can't go to school and because there are almost no teachers left. In this scenario, Maria Corina is worshiped. People (men, women and children) would hug her on the streets and just weep. That's why she was able to endorse her popularity to an absolute stranger to politics (she was arbitrarily prohibited from running herself) in less than a month and still win with 70% of votes. From a US centric left-right vision it's really hard to understand, but the poor vs the elites discourse is BS. The only real elites in Venezuela are the members of the corrupt criminal government and their cronies.
Well I’m having trouble keeping up with all the details of this specific situation but I keep seeing articles like this:
https://open.substack.com/pub/theplanet/p/the-controversy-around-maria-corina
It has both what critics say, what supporters say, and the middle ground
And with the recent reporting implying there will be a deal for Venezuela’s oil I just have to think there are a lot of concerns…not among the elites for sure, but definitely among the people, if they have access to real info or trust it. (Just like here in the US there are people who support Trump’s policies, but they don’t trust the actual facts of what is happening.)
Today, the fight for peace is the fight between democracy and dictatorship. Dictatorship is fear, violence and death. Nothing to do with peace.
Time To Organize Against Cheeto and His Nazi Allies
The upcoming Oct 18 No Kings protest is a rallying point around which we can consolidate our voices in dissent of what Cheeto and his Nazi party are trying to do to our government
But as important is to develop a long term strategy for our movement As Marc Elias writes in Democracy Docket(https://bit.ly/4n0Qj1J) there needs to be a long range plan that requires organizing around a set of strategies that ensure the takedown of this radical right wing fascist movement that we have come to know as MAGA which by the way has been in the works for at least 2 decades This is not just about 2026 but there and beyond 2028, 2030, 2032 Apathy doesn’t win
As Elias points out we need to organize for the long term around the protection of voting rights, supporting each other with conviction and energy, and being proactive not reactive So much of what is termed journalism is merely a reporting of what has happened in the day While that’s valuable we need to go on the offensive with a plan to attack MAGA Sadly the DNC is woefully behind the power curve and it’s up to all of us to show up WE the People show up and lead the way but that’s how it should always be