Opposing US imperialism is not incompatible with rejecting the Maduro regime. Everything else is oppression, but with a different hue.

I'm not even defending the United States or Trump, but rather pointing out that Maduro doesn't represent any communist ideals whatsoever. How can a government that doesn't care about its working class be considered that way?

Does not defending Maduro automatically make me someone who doesn't want freedom for my country or a member of the working class? That's certainly a powerful argument.

Yes, it has a lot to do with it. You can't understand the conflict between Washington and Caracas without understanding Venezuela's recent political history, as well as the economic interests and political figures involved. Obviously, freedom in Venezuela is the least of Trump's concerns.

Furthermore, the Communist Party of Venezuela has been taken over because of its opposition to the regime. Maduro and the rest of his inner circle are about as communist as Putin, buddy.

Don't you recognize the dictatorship's abuses against workers' rights and unions? This isn't a matter of right versus left. Maduro is hijacking socialist and progressive rhetoric while violating the rights of workers, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Trump isn't the only one escalating this situation; the Maduro dictatorship is too. We wouldn't be seeing this crisis if last year's elections hadn't been stolen.

And I say this as someone who obviously doesn't want their country to be attacked. However, above all, I want true freedom for my people.

However, I do consider the dictatorship that has hijacked and destroyed institutions, subjugated the people, handed over territories to narco-guerrillas, and our resources to foreign powers to be traitors.

I find it reductionist to consider a powerless citizen a traitor, especially since the US pressure isn't due to Venezuelans wanting or not wanting their freedom. It's simply beyond our control as an oppressed people.

When you understand that social and political context, you also understand the support that many have given during this crisis.

... to accept the pressure from the US, however undesirable a conflict may be. The Venezuelan people are caught between a rock and a hard place, but desperate to get out of the dictatorship.

The situation here is profoundly complex, given that we have a militaristic and conservative dictator who has not hesitated to pull the trigger against his own people and shows no sign of wanting to relinquish power. The lack of alternatives has led many Venezuelans...