The Zombie State of Venezuela: A Disaster Foretold

The twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24, killing an estimated 10,000 people and leaving thousands more missing, are a stark reminder of the country’s long-standing crisis. This tragedy was waiting to happen, given Venezuela’s decades-long decline into a “zombie state” under the Chavista regime.

For years, seismologists have warned of an impending earthquake in Venezuela, but no one expected it would hit with such devastating force. The same can be said for the country’s economic and humanitarian collapse. With half its population living in extreme poverty, a quarter having fled in mass migration over the past decade, and a healthcare system on life support, Venezuela was already on the brink of disaster.

The irony is that this tragedy occurred under a government propped up by the United States for years. The Trump Administration’s regime change operation, led by Marco Rubio, aimed to “stabilize” Venezuela and restore democracy. However, in practice, it has merely reinforced the country’s zombie state, allowing the Chavista regime to reinvent itself as an American ally while maintaining its grip on power.

The new interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, is a stalwart of the old establishment who has been sanctioned by Washington for her role in the Maduro government. Yet she remains in office with the imprimatur of the U.S., receiving American military officers and coordinating with foreign corporations to exploit Venezuela’s oil resources. The results are predictable: instead of stabilizing the economy or restoring democracy, the Rodriguez government has merely improved conditions for foreign investors while Venezuelans struggle to access basic services.

The international community is left wondering what this means for Venezuela’s future. Will the U.S. continue to prop up a regime that has lost all legitimacy in the eyes of its people? Or will Washington finally take concrete steps to support genuine democratic reform and address the humanitarian crisis?

Venezuelans are grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, trying to make sense of the tragedy and how it could have been prevented. The answer lies not just in addressing the economic and humanitarian crises but also in recognizing the long-term consequences of propping up a zombie state.

The Roots of Venezuela’s Collapse

Venezuela’s decline under the Chavista regime began with Hugo Chavez’s rise to power in 1999. From then until Maduro’s removal in January, the country was gradually hollowed out by a combination of authoritarianism, petro-state largesse, and anti-Americanism.

The Trump Administration recycled this same regime, allowing Delcy Rodriguez to take over as an unelected president with Washington’s backing. The results have been devastating for Venezuelans, who continue to suffer under a government that has lost all legitimacy.

A Pattern of Imperialism

Similar patterns of regime change and imperial manipulation can be seen in countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. The result is often the same: a zombie state that perpetuates itself while the people suffer.

In Venezuela, this has meant that the Rodriguez government has been able to maintain its grip on power despite being sanctioned by Washington. Meanwhile, foreign corporations are free to exploit the country’s resources with impunity. This is not stability – it’s simply a new chapter in the long history of Venezuelan suffering.

What Next for Venezuela?

As the international community grapples with the implications of the disaster, one thing is clear: the U.S. must reevaluate its policy towards Venezuela. It cannot continue to prop up a regime that has lost all legitimacy and perpetuate a zombie state that serves only the interests of foreign corporations.

The Venezuelan people deserve better – they deserve a government that represents them, not just the interests of Washington or Caracas. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but one thing is certain: Venezuela’s future depends on its ability to break free from the shackles of its zombie state and forge a new path towards democracy and prosperity.

In the end, it’s not just about counting the bodies or estimating the damage – it’s about recognizing the human cost of a policy that has failed for decades.