
Venezuela at a Crossroads – A Call to Action for the United States
“Defending the vote is a right,” declared Leido Brita, known as the Grandma in the Red Helmet, during a recent protest in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, which has been rocked by protests against the government of Nicolás Maduro for years. As a passionate anti-government activist, Brita has emerged as a powerful voice in a country silenced by authoritarian rule. Her call for accountability follows Maduro’s failure to step down after his defeat in the country’s recent presidential elections.
The United States has a crucial opportunity to push for a democratic transition in Venezuela. It must maintain pressure on the Maduro regime, strengthen alliances with the opposition and its neighbors, and create a viable exit strategy for the Maduro regime.
How did it get here? In late August, Venezuela’s Supreme Court, controlled by Maduro loyalists, declared him the narrow winner of the July elections. Ever since, the Maduro regime has withheld voting results. However, the opposition published over 23,000 vote tally sheets representing nearly 80 percent of the vote. They reveal that opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia received over twice as many votes as Maduro. This evidence led the United States and other countries to recognize González as the winner.

Venezuela’s political crisis is worsening. Eighty-two percent of Venezuelans are now struggling with food insecurity, while 7.7 million have fled the country. Just last month, Urrutia fled to Spain, escaping an arrest warrant falsely accusing him of terrorism. Since July, protests against the disputed elections have resulted in at least 27 deaths and the arrest of 2,400 people.
The United States must now create policies that support Venezuelan democracy. It must exert pressure on the Maduro regime and minimize harm to the Venezuelan people.
First, target the Maduro regime. The United States must expand its policy to allow private companies to invest in Venezuela’s oil sector. Currently, the United States has licensed private companies to invest in the country’s oil production, provided they control all material aspects of the project.
Overseen by the U.S. Treasury Department, these licenses promote transparency and accountability. The United States can limit Maduro’s capacity to misappropriate oil proceeds by maintaining a strategic presence in Venezuela. This policy is far more effective than sanctions. The presence of U.S. companies exerts adequate pressure on the government and reduces Iran and China’s presence.
Second, forge relationships. The United States must align its policies with those of the opposition and neighboring countries. The opposition has not called for new economic sanctions but urges the Maduro government to release legitimate election results. Collaboration with neighboring countries like Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru is crucial, as they have a strong political, economic, and social stake in managing the crisis. Many of the country’s neighbors are critical of Maduro but oppose further U.S. sanctions. These sanctions have significantly degraded the Venezuelan economy, led to record-high levels of inflation, and contributed to the influx of Venezuelan migrants into their countries. Strong partnerships with regional allies will create a more effective coalition against the Maduro regime.
Third, create an exit strategy. As Ángel Alvarado, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, “There is no transition without transactions.” Establishing an exit path for Maduro and key leaders of his regime is crucial for a peaceful political transition. Solutions like immunity, which have previously worked in countries like Chile, must be explored. However, this plan can only succeed if the opposition remains united. Its leadership is essential to fill the power vacuum and guide the country toward a democratic transition.
Critics of U.S. policy say it is a continuation of the Monroe Doctrine. They claim that the United States labels elections illegitimate when its preferred candidate loses. However, the United States is not alone; many international actors share U.S. concerns about Venezuela’s recent elections. U.S. policy is not about infringing on Venezuela’s sovereignty; instead, it is about addressing human rights abuses and restoring democracy. Allowing authoritarian regimes to thrive poses risks to all in the Western Hemisphere.
The United States must pivot from ineffective sanctions to strategic alliances to foster a brighter future for Venezuela. By forming a coalition with Venezuela’s neighbors and empowering the opposition, the United States can create viable exit paths for the Maduro regime. In doing so, it can honor the courageous voices of individuals like Leido Brita, who tirelessly fight for democracy and justice.