The kidnapping of Maduro: Two approaches, two worldviews

The concepts of the West and Europe no longer point to a continent or a world that has resolved its internal contradictions. Differences rooted in nationality and religion—between Latins and Anglo-Saxons, or Catholics and Protestants—are once again being treated as meaningful categories due to rivalry and calculations of interest. This development renders the categories that have shaped our thinking for nearly two centuries increasingly dysfunctional. When we say that the familiar world is collapsing, we should understand this as referring to a very powerful wave of change. The kidnapping and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by Americans demonstrates just how strong this wave of change is. Americans and Britons, together with Jews, are forcing not only the Western world but Europe itself into internal transformation.

To make some sense of what happened in Venezuela, it is necessary to focus on a key detail in the statements made by Delcy Rodríguez, who temporarily assumed the leadership position after Maduro. In one part of her address to the nation, Rodríguez said that the US action against Venezuela carried “Zionist undertones.” Her statement, as reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, was as follows: “Governments around the world are shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has undoubtedly become the victim and target of such an attack with Zionist undertones.”

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency is one of the news outlets known for its Zionist publications. As usual, Zionist organizations and media outlets reduced Rodríguez’s reference to Zionism to anti-Israel sentiment. According to Zionists, criticizing Israel itself falls under antisemitism, and therefore Rodríguez’s reference to “Zionist undertones” is deemed antisemitic. Undoubtedly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency primarily addresses an Anglo-Saxon audience. In the related news article, it is also claimed that the phrase “Zionist undertones” is based on long-standing anti-Israel rhetoric coming from Caracas. According to the report, Rodríguez’s statement aligns with Maduro’s past remarks. Maduro had previously said that US attacks on Venezuelan vessels and increased military activity in the Caribbean had made it easier for “Zionists” to seize Venezuela.

On the Palestine Chronicle website, it is likewise stated that Rodríguez’s reference to “Zionist undertones” in her address about Maduro’s kidnapping was primarily aimed at Israel. The article even uses the description “an operation driven by ideological motives linked to Zionism.” Palestine Chronicle also refers to an earlier speech by Maduro. In a speech he gave in November, Maduro said, “There are those who want to hand Venezuela over to hostile forces… Far-right Zionists want to deliver this country to demons.” It is not entirely clear who Maduro meant by “far-right Zionists,” but it should be noted that the category of Zionists is not limited solely to Zionist Jews.

As can be seen, we are encountering many new concepts. The concept of Bolivarianism mentioned above is one of them. In order not to stray from the subject, I do not want to go into detail here. Those interested in the details can read books about Simón Bolívar. However, just as important as works on individuals are serious studies on colonialism and imperialism. To understand this period, it is crucial to analyze these new concepts in depth. For example, one encounters claims that the wars leading to the independence of the American colonies from Britain were anti-colonial or “anti-imperialist” movements. Yes, the American colonies may have fought a war of independence against Britain, but this was not an anti-colonial movement. On the contrary, the United States emerged as a colonial state. In this respect, Israel closely resembles the United States. Israel, too, came into existence as a British colony. Zionism is the shared colonial ideology of Britain, the United States, and Israel. In fact, Zionism first emerged among Christian Protestants. Therefore, the ideology of Zionism referenced in the speeches of Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez should be understood within this broader framework.

After the US attack on Venezuela, there are also, unfortunately, many who seek to analyze Maduro’s kidnapping within the framework of democratic theory. The conceptual framework we are trying to articulate here stands in complete opposition to what they call democratic theory. These two approaches are almost impossible to reconcile or bring together, because they represent two entirely different worldviews.