NODAL Report Reveals Details of Coup Attempt in Venezuela
President Nicolas Maduro (C), 2024. Photo: X/ @BrunoRguezP
August 27, 2024 Hour: 12:48 pm
As in previous occasions, the U.S. and its allies are behind the ongoing attacks against the Bolivarian Revolution.
This week, News from Latin America and the Caribbean (NODAL) published “Venezuela, A Coup Attempt Underway,” an extensive investigation into the presidential elections that took place on July 28.
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This investigation goes into detail about the new attempt at political destabilization that the United States and the transnational far-right are trying to carry out against the Bolivarian Nation. Below is a summary of the content of the NODAL investigative report.
1. The Coup Plan: Multidimensional Offensive Against Venezuela
Venezuela is once again at the center of a geopolitical conflict, facing an orchestrated effort by the “Fascist International”. This effort includes a multifaceted attack plan by the far-right against the administration of President Nicolas Maduro, who has been long-standing target of criticism regarding alleged electoral fraud and human rights violations. These accusations serve as the justification for the current coup attempt against the Venezuelan government.
Venezuela’s strategic importance is underpinned by its vast natural resources and its pivotal geographic location. As the holder of the world’s largest conventional oil reserves, significant reserves of natural gas, and valuable minerals such as coltan and gold, Venezuela is crucial in global resource distribution. Additionally, its location at the northern tip of South America, bordering the Caribbean, positions it as a key player in global maritime and air routes.
The concept of a “troika of tyranny” involving Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, coined by former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, encapsulates the perceived resistance these nations offer against foreign interests. This resistance is a critical element in the broader ideological struggle against neo-reactionary movements that seek to dismantle popular projects aimed at redistributing common goods.
These neo-reactionary movements employ modern mechanisms of power, such as cognitive warfare, cyberwarfare, and social media manipulation, contributing to so-called “soft coups” that blend traditional military interventions with legal and constitutional manipulation. The Venezuelan government has identified figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg as key antagonists in this struggle, representing the new faces of imperialism vying for control over social, political, and territorial domains.
The ongoing coup attempt in Venezuela is seen as part of a broader, systematic strategy aimed at destabilizing the Bolivarian government and its revolutionary processes.
2. Multidimensional Strategy for the Coup D’Etat in Venezuela
The multidimensional strategy against Venezuela has been unfolding through various interconnected dimensions, particularly since the signing of the Barbados Agreements in October 2023 up to the mobilizations of August 3, 2024.
Key events include the cyberattack on Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) on July 28, 2024, which aimed to disrupt the election process through a “denial of service” attack originating from North Macedonia. This cyberattack was part of a broader global and multifactorial assault on the Venezuelan state, targeting telecommunications, government websites, and critical applications.
These cyberattacks were coupled with an orchestrated effort by international political actors linked to new digital capitalism, who intensified their destabilization efforts before and after the election results were announced. This campaign was marked by the manipulation of social media and other digital platforms to sow confusion and uncertainty, furthering the coup agenda.
3. Who is Behind the Coup D’Etat in Venezuela?
The international dimension of the coup attempt is spearheaded by the “New Financial and Technological Aristocracy,” which comprises influential figures and corporations primarily based in the United States and Israel.
This elite group has leveraged digital platforms to influence public opinion and amplify hate speech against Chavismo. Among the key figures are Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, whose companies (such as X, Meta, and Amazon) have been instrumental in spreading disinformation and inciting violence.
Elon Musk, in particular, has emerged as a central figure in the coup effort. His role extends beyond his ownership of influential digital platforms; he has also been implicated in supporting right-wing movements in other countries, such as the 2019 coup in Bolivia and the rise of far-right politician Javier Milei in Argentina. Musk’s connections with the U.S. Department of State and the private military company Blackwater (now known as Academi) further illustrate the extent of his involvement in global destabilization efforts.
WikiLeaks has revealed extensive documentation of foreign interference in Venezuela, with over 170,000 documents mentioning the country. These leaks expose the role of figures like Leopoldo Lopez in the destabilization strategies, highlighting their connections with foreign governments and intelligence agencies. Meetings in Washington, led by figures like Dan Erickson, have coordinated efforts to escalate economic and cognitive warfare against Venezuela, aiming to overthrow Maduro through a combination of social chaos and military intervention.
The coup strategy is further supported by a network of think tanks, foundations, NGOs, and media outlets, primarily funded by wealthy individuals and corporations from the Global North. These entities play a critical role in shaping public opinion, building narratives of electoral fraud, and legitimizing the far-right’s actions in Venezuela. Among these, the Carter Center and Edison Research have been particularly influential in questioning the transparency of the Venezuelan electoral process, despite their own ties to powerful financial backers.
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), closely linked to the CIA, has been a major financier of opposition groups in Venezuela, while other think tanks like the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom work to recruit young leaders aligned with neoliberal ideologies. The strategy also involves significant regional actors, including the Organization of American States (OAS), which has played a central role in coordinating the political offensive against Venezuela.
Latin American far-right elites have utilized digital platforms to influence electoral outcomes and stoke political unrest, aiming to create a regional coalition against Maduro. Events such as the Conservative Action Policy Conference (CEPAC) in Brazil demonstrate the coordination between far-right leaders in the region, with Venezuela being a primary target of their collective agenda.
4. The Venezuelan Far-right: A History of Coup Attempts and Electoral Fraud Narratives
The 2024 elections were characterized by a polarized contest between Nicolas Maduro and Edmundo Gonzalez, with the latter representing a coalition of opposition parties led by Maria Corina Machado. The election was the latest chapter in a long history of attempts by the Venezuelan right to seize power through undemocratic means, often resorting to allegations of electoral fraud and calls for violence.
The Venezuelan right’s coup strategies have evolved over the years, from the failed coup against Hugo Chavez in 2002 to more recent attempts to delegitimize electoral outcomes and incite social unrest.
The right’s consistent narrative of electoral fraud dates back to the 2004 recall referendum against Chavez, continuing through subsequent elections where opposition candidates failed to prove any substantial irregularities.
Violence has been a recurring tactic, as seen during the brief 2002 coup, the violent protests of 2014 and 2017, and the assassination attempt on Maduro in 2018. These acts of violence are often coupled with economic warfare, aimed at exacerbating social and economic crises to undermine the Bolivarian Revolution.
The self-proclamation of Juan Guaido as “interim president” in 2019 marked a significant escalation in the right’s efforts to overthrow Maduro. This period saw a series of coordinated actions, including attempts to bring in “humanitarian aid” as a pretext for foreign intervention, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and the April 30, 2019, coup attempt led by Guaido and Leopoldo Lopez.
The United States and its allies have used Guaido as a figurehead to justify economic sanctions and the seizure of Venezuelan state assets abroad. These actions have deepened the economic hardships faced by the Venezuelan people, further fueling the political and social instability that the coup plotters hope to exploit.
The Venezuelan right continues to pursue its agenda of regime change through a combination of internal destabilization, international pressure, and alliances with far-right movements across Latin America. The 2024 elections are just the latest battleground in this ongoing struggle, with the opposition’s refusal to accept the electoral results and its calls for violence serving as a continuation of its long-standing strategy to undermine Venezuela’s democratic institutions.
5. Chronicle of the Disregard for the Electoral Result and Fraud Allegations
The following is a detailed chronology of the key events, declarations, and positioning of actors leading up to and following the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, marked by significant controversy and allegations of electoral fraud.
October 17, 2023: Barbados Agreement. The Venezuelan political landscape saw a significant development with the signing of the Barbados Agreement between the Great Patriotic Pole and the United Democratic Platform. This agreement aimed to establish a framework for future electoral processes and was seen as a step towards a more inclusive and transparent election.
A day later, in a surprising move, the United States eased a series of measures from the economic blockade against Venezuela. This action was perceived as a gesture of goodwill, potentially aimed at encouraging a more democratic process in the presidential elections.
January 26, 2024: Machado’s Disqualification. The Venezuelan authorities ratified the disqualification of Maria Corina Machado from participating in electoral processes. This decision intensified political tensions as Machado was a significant opposition figure with substantial support.
February 13: Operation “White Armband” Exposed. The Venezuelan government announced the dismantling of “Operation White Armband,” which was allegedly a covert operation aimed at undermining the government’s stability. The details of this operation were not fully disclosed, but its exposure added to the already charged political atmosphere.
February 20: Conclusion of the Great National Dialogue. The Great National Dialogue concluded, involving 42 political parties and 33 organizations from the Venezuelan opposition. This dialogue led to agreements on procedures for calling elections, reflecting a rare moment of consensus among the deeply divided political factions.
April 17: U.S. Reinstates Suspended Measures. Contrary to its earlier gesture, the U.S. announced the reinstatement of the suspended measures against Venezuela. This reversal was seen as a response to perceived failures in the electoral process and increased pressure on the Venezuelan government.
June 20: Agreement on Election Results Respect. Eight out of ten presidential candidates signed an agreement to respect the results of the July 28 election. However, notable absentees were Edmundo Gonzalez and Enrique Marquez, raising concerns about their commitment to a peaceful transition of power.
June 24, 2024: The Liberty and Democracy group calls for sanctions. This right-wing organization, called for maximum sanctions and effective international prosecution against President Maduro, escalating international pressure and signaling an unwillingness to accept the election outcome.
July 12: Attacks on the National Electric System. Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the arrests of Aldo Roso and businessman Ricardo Albacete for their involvement in attacks on the National Electric System. These arrests were part of broader efforts to maintain stability ahead of the election.
July 23: Polls Favoring Gonzalez Released. Foundation for Liberty (FIL) published polls showing a significant lead for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, which set the stage for disputes over the credibility of the election results.
July 27: Multiple Attempts at Sabotage: On the eve of the presidential election, there were multiple attempts to sabotage critical infrastructure, including the Ureña Electric Substation and the Simon Bolivar Hydroelectric Power Plant.
On the same day, Elon Musk retweeted Corina Machado, endorsing her presidential candidate and calling for a better future for Venezuela. This intervention by a high-profile international figure added a new dimension to the political crisis.
A significant meeting took place in Washington, led by Dan Erickson, Joe Biden’s main advisor for the Western Hemisphere, along with key Venezuelan opposition figures such as Leopoldo Lopez and Juan Guaido. The meeting aimed to increase the “economic and cognitive war” against Venezuela and discussed an agenda of international encirclement, with the Organization of American States (OAS) playing a central role.
July 28: Election Day and Early Results. Election day was marred by attacks on electoral centers, with Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez prematurely announcing their victory. The Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) later announced the official results based on a recount of 80 percent of the ballots, showing Nicolas Maduro with 51.2 percent of the votes and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia with 44.02 percent.
July 29: Maduro Proclaimed Re-elected. The CNE officially proclaimed Nicolas Maduro as the re-elected president and disclosed an attack on the data transmission system during the election. Key figures involved in the attack included Toledo, Lopez, and Machado.
July 30: Disputed Results and Online Misinformation. In response to the official results, the Great Patriotic Pole mobilized across the country in defense of peace. Meanwhile, the Unitary Democratic Platform (PUD) disseminated a website, “CNE Parallel,” created before the elections, claiming Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner with 67 percent of the votes.
Elon Musk further fueled the controversy by sharing these unofficial results and retweeting Corina Machado and Javier Milei with the same false information. He also posted about a reward offered by the DEA and the U.S. State Department for Maduro’s arrest.
July 31: Legal and Social Responses. President Maduro filed an Appeal for Protection before the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, requesting a high-level technical audit of the July 28 results. Maria Corina Machado called for her followers to remain active in the streets.
The OAS held an emergency meeting in Washington but failed to approve a joint resolution urging the CNE to “immediately” publish the voting records. Meanwhile, OAS President Luis Almagro filed charges and an arrest warrant with the International Criminal Court against Maduro.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab reported progress in investigations into the terrorist attacks by violent demonstrators across the country, with 1,062 persons arrested. In Caracas, the working class staged a massive march in defense of peace, the homeland, and the Bolivarian Revolution.
August 1: Continued Tensions and International Reactions. The Supreme Court summoned all ten presidential candidates for a hearing on August 2. Maria Corina Machado called on her followers to demonstrate in the streets on August 3.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Miraflores Palace in support of Maduro. Attorney General Tarek William Saab reported continued terrorist attacks by the “Small Commandos ” in Anzoategui and La Guaira.
Internationally, the presidents of Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico issued a joint communique calling for the resolution of electoral controversies in Venezuela through institutional channels, without foreign interference. However, the U.S. State Department recognized Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of the elections.
Nicolas Maduro denounced the U.S.’s attempt to impose a “Guaido 2.0,” alleging that Elon Musk and other billionaires had invested over US$1.5 billion to destabilize Venezuela. Musk continued to spread misinformation throughout the day.
August 2: Verification and Further Escalations. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil issued a statement rejecting the U.S. Secretary of State’s comments. The CNE released a second bulletin with 96.87 percent of the voting tables transmitted and a 59.97 percent participation rate, showing Maduro with 51.95 percent of the vote and Gonzalez with 43.18 percent.
The CNE also denounced massive cyberattacks against its technological infrastructure and state telecommunications companies, as well as the burning of regional electoral offices, voting centers, and transmission centers.
Nine of the ten presidential candidates appeared before the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court and signed an act initiating the verification of the electoral results. Edmundo Gonzalez did not appear, and Enrique Marquez refused to sign.
Gonzalez thanked the U.S. Secretary of State and foreign ministers from Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy for their support. He also expressed gratitude to the Presidency of Panama.
President Maduro held a press conference to denounce terrorist acts and provide updates on the ongoing judicial investigation. Acts of violence continued, including a cyberattack on the Patria System and 25 national domain sites of various institutions, as well as the murder of two members of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB).
Multiple injuries were reported, including a brigadier general, a lieutenant colonel, a first lieutenant, 21 professional troops, and 120 officers of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB). Civilian vehicles were burned, and more deaths occurred. Attorney General Tarek William Saab updated the number of detainees to 1,062.
August 3: Marches and Escalating Violence. The political crisis reached a boiling point with the Great National March in defense of peace, held at the Miraflores Palace and across the country. Simultaneously, the Unitary Platform staged a march in the Las Mercedes neighborhood of Caracas, notably without the presence of Gonzalez.
6. The Truth About the Electoral Process: Scrutiny, Transparency, Incorruptibility
As the highest authority of the Venezuelan electoral power, the National Electoral Council (CNE) plays a crucial role in organizing and supervising the electoral process, ensuring that it adheres to the principles of universal, direct, and secret suffrage.
The CNE comprises five individuals who are not affiliated with any political organizations. These members are selected from civil society, with three nominated by civil society itself, one by the faculties of legal and political sciences of national universities, and one by the Citizen Power. This composition is intended to maintain the independence and impartiality of the electoral body.
Venezuela’s electoral system is highly automated, featuring 16 types of audits at various stages of the process, involving all political forces. The software used for voting, counting, and totalization is audited and certified with the participation of political parties and observers, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The voting process is designed to be secure and verifiable. Voters are required to identify themselves with their ID cards, sign and leave a fingerprint in the electoral register, and activate the voting machine with their fingerprint. The machine then displays the candidates’ information on a screen, allowing the voter to select their choice by clicking on the name, face, or party symbol of the candidate. The machine prints a voucher on special paper, which the voter verifies before depositing it in a ballot box. Each voucher is identified through a non-sequential code to safeguard the secrecy of the vote.
The votes are stored in both the internal (fixed) and external (removable) memory of each voting machine. The encrypted vote data is then transmitted via a secure network provided by the state telecommunications company, CANTV. This network is isolated from the Internet and features multiple levels of security and authentication, making it impossible for external computers to tamper with the electoral results.
Citizen audits are conducted on 54 percent of the total number of polling stations. After the voting, the tally sheet is printed, and a copy is provided to the witnesses from each political party. The tally sheet is generated directly by the system, without external stations or internet connections, ensuring the integrity of the process. The totalization of votes is typically completed within 48 to 72 hours after the election, although the CNE has a legal window of up to 30 days to publish the results in the Electoral Gazette.
This rigorous process highlights the transparency and incorruptibility of Venezuela’s electoral system, designed to withstand external and internal challenges and to ensure that the will of the people is accurately reflected in the election outcomes.
7. What is at Stake?
Venezuela’s geopolitical significance has attracted intense international interference. The United States, grappling with declining hegemony, the need to secure new oil markets due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and concerns over China’s influence in Latin America, plays a central role. Additionally, the U.S. is facing an imminent change of government, further complicating the situation.
Despite the harsh economic and commercial blockade, Venezuela has made significant strides in social welfare. Over 5 million families have gained access to housing, and 97 percent of the products in the CLAP boxes, a key social program, are now produced domestically. Moreover, Venezuela has fostered unprecedented mechanisms for popular participation, with communities managing resources to improve their quality of life.
However, the Venezuelan Revolution faces a total and multidimensional war, particularly in the cognitive realm, where media campaigns consistently attack the Bolivarian project. The revolution is not merely a local affair; it symbolizes a broader resistance against U.S. interference and the global financial and technological aristocracy.
The strategy against Venezuela is driven by the New Financial and Technological Aristocracy, which is supported by the U.S. and Israel. This strategy is enacted by a network of far-right actors in the region, including think tanks, NGOs, and media outlets, with backing from drug trafficking cartels. These forces have been instrumental in shaping narratives and actions to destabilize Venezuela, often calling for uprisings and inciting social chaos.
The psychological warfare against Venezuela is evident in the communication campaigns led by influential figures like Elon Musk, who has ties to private paramilitary companies such as Blackwater (now known as Academi). These companies, with strong connections to U.S. government agencies, have been involved in recruiting mercenaries, particularly from Colombia, to fight in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. These mercenaries, often former military personnel, are drawn by lucrative salaries and promises of permanent residence, making them ideal recruits for destabilizing operations.
The interference in Venezuela also includes efforts to create parallel institutions, akin to the interim government led by Juan Guaido, which seek legitimacy primarily from the U.S. and the international community. While these efforts do not change the balance of power within Venezuela, they contribute to economic, social, and political destabilization.
At this critical juncture, it is essential for progressives to reassess their understanding of Venezuela, particularly in the context of the struggle against imperialism and the extraction of strategic resources in Latin America. The Bolivarian Revolution is more than just a government; it represents resistance and sovereignty for Latin America and the Caribbean. It challenges the primacy of capital and the destructive logic of human exploitation and environmental degradation.
The words of Commander Hugo Chavez, “If I keep quiet, the stones of the Latin American peoples, who are willing to be free from all colonialism after 500 years of colonialism, would cry out,” embody the spirit of resistance and self-determination that has driven Venezuela’s struggle against foreign domination. The international community must respect this pursuit of freedom and self-determination.
teleSUR/ JF Source: Nodal
