In a recent episode of The Patriot Perspective, Jay Furman, a former Navy officer and current congressional candidate for Texas’s 35th District, shared alarming insights about the situation in Venezuela. His perspective draws from nearly three decades of military experience and an acute understanding of national security. Furman believes Venezuela has evolved beyond a mere failed state; it’s now an active participant in a hybrid war against the United States.
Furman contextualizes the significance of President Donald Trump’s emergency air-closure over Venezuela and the visible U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean. “The no-fly order is a shot across the bow,” he remarked, underscoring its purpose to condition the battlefield. This strategy seeks to clear civilian air traffic, allowing U.S. forces to target critical narco-trafficking hubs without risking passenger lives. This strategic move reflects a pivotal shift in how the U.S. perceives the Venezuelan regime, according to Furman. He argues it sends a message to Maduro and his allies in Tehran that the situation is no longer just a distant humanitarian crisis.
Furman paints a stark picture of Venezuela’s transformation from a once-thriving democracy into a narco-state. He characterizes Nicolás Maduro as an “illegitimate” leader, using a mix of authoritarian practices and corruption to maintain control. The financial backbone of Maduro’s regime, according to him, is not just oil revenues but also drug profits. These funds support a broad strategy aimed at destabilizing the United States, equating the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs to “chemical-biological warfare” against American communities.
His analysis extends into the realm of hybrid warfare. Furman argues this strategy encompasses weaponized migration, drug trafficking, and election interference. He maintains that Venezuela has developed skills in “election engineering” under Hugo Chávez, which have become tools for undermining democratic practices within the U.S. “Once faith in the ballot disappears, the entire Bill of Rights becomes meaningless,” he warns, highlighting the grave implications this has for American democracy.
In a particularly striking comparison, Furman describes Venezuela as “the Hezbollah of the South.” He claims the country has become a hub for Iranian-backed terror networks like Hezbollah and Hamas. These groups, he argues, exploit the lawlessness within Venezuela to conduct operations in the Western Hemisphere. According to Furman, this criminal enterprise is facilitated by the Cartel de los Soles and poses a serious risk, especially with sleeper cells potentially positioned at America’s southern border.
Furman does not shy away from discussing the strategic implications of Russia’s involvement in Venezuela. He notes that recent reports of Russia evacuating its citizens from the country signify that adversaries are taking U.S. threats seriously. This reactive stance may lead to a shift in calculations regarding U.S. power in the region, supported by the firm posture during past U.S. actions against Iran.
Energy policy also plays a crucial role in this equation. Furman criticizes the current administration for mishandling relationships with Gulf allies and asserts that rogue states like Venezuela undermine global oil markets. He believes that weakening the Maduro regime, along with its ties to Moscow and Tehran, would stabilize these markets and reduce funding for adversarial activities.
Looking to the future, Furman emphasizes a need for Congress to prepare for potential military action and to develop a comprehensive post-Maduro strategy. He warns against allowing Venezuela to remain a permanent failed state on America’s doorstep. His framing of the crisis as an “existential security problem in America’s own hemisphere” serves as a stark call to recognize the stakes involved.
Furman firmly believes Trump’s “peace through strength” approach is essential for breaking the nexus of narco-terrorism emanating from Caracas. He envisions a future where U.S. action restores stability for both Venezuelans and Americans, reflecting a critical national security interest for the United States amidst an evolving threat landscape.
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