In a series of remarks this past weekend, Nicolás Maduro, the embattled socialist dictator of Venezuela, threatened to use Brazilian troops to “liberate” Puerto Rico from what he called the United States’ “colonization” of the island. Speaking at the close of the International Anti-Fascist World Festival in Caracas, an event designed to bolster anti-U.S. sentiment, Maduro made his comments as part of a broader narrative about the Bolivarian Revolution and his vision of a socialist, “anti-imperialist” agenda for Latin America.
This provocative statement comes shortly after Maduro’s swearing-in for a third term—one widely recognized as fraudulent—as Venezuela’s president. His tenure has been marked by a devastating economic collapse, humanitarian crises, and political repression, but he continues to position himself as a leader of an anti-imperialist movement in Latin America. The threats against Puerto Rico, however, raise serious concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for increased tensions between Venezuela, the United States, and their respective allies.
He pointed to a figure named Breno and referenced the historical Abreu e Lima Battalion, a unit involved in South American independence movements in the 19th century. “The freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we are going to conquer it,” Maduro declared, before provocatively asking the assembled audience, “With the troops of Brazil. What do you think?”
They have long called for Puerto Rican independence, framing the U.S. territorial control over the island as a “colonial” oppression. Maduro’s remarks were, however, more than just symbolic. By invoking the use of Brazilian troops—and aligning himself with the Venezuelan revolutionary hero Simón Bolívar—Maduro seems to be attempting to escalate his anti-American rhetoric and position himself as the leader of a new wave of resistance in the region.
Puerto Rico is a democratic society with a vibrant political debate over its future, which includes options ranging from statehood to independence. The people of Puerto Rico have consistently rejected any external interference in this process, especially from a dictator whose own country is mired in authoritarian rule and economic ruin. Maduro’s attempts to position himself as a liberator are ironic, considering his own regime’s track record of human rights abuses, economic collapse, and the exodus of millions of Venezuelans fleeing the very system Maduro now seeks to export.
U.S. officials have long viewed Maduro’s regime with suspicion and hostility, given its role in the Cartel of the Suns, an intercontinental cocaine trafficking operation. Maduro’s narco-terrorism charges and his defiance of U.S. sanctions only further underscore his regime’s instability and its threats to regional security.
One of the most significant aspects of Maduro’s remarks is his reference to the use of Brazilian troops in this supposed “liberation” effort. This is particularly noteworthy given that Brazil’s political landscape has shifted dramatically since the tenure of Jair Bolsonaro, who was widely viewed as an ally of the U.S. and a staunch opponent of Maduro. Bolsonaro’s presidency saw strong rhetoric and actions aimed at isolating Maduro and condemning his regime. Bolsonaro was a vocal supporter of international efforts to bring about a regime change in Venezuela and frequently called for action to resolve the Venezuelan crisis.
However, since Lula da Silva assumed the presidency in another highly contested election, there has been a marked shift in Brazil’s foreign policy. Lula, a self-identified socialist with a history of opposition to the United States, has been much more sympathetic toward Venezuela’s regime. His administration has expressed a desire to play a more prominent role in regional diplomacy, often positioning itself in opposition to U.S. influence. While Lula has not yet explicitly endorsed Maduro’s vision of “liberating” Puerto Rico, his broader policy stance could suggest an alarming alliance.
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Greenland would probably be a better acquisition in terms of upkeep than Porto Rico. The government of Puerto Rico is most likely more in line with Madura’s thinking anyway. Other than having a wealth of baseball players, the economic drain would be replaced by more productive people who know how to care for themselves.
Give it a try you stupid communist tyrants. We would lose very little because the only resource Puerto Rico has to offer the U.S.A. is half wit bar tenders like AOC.
Venzuela, come and try! You are a joke and a sick sad point in the history of what was once a good country. Kick out your dictator and stop talking about taking anything away from the US that is not given to you. I won’t say Puerto Rico is of large import to this nation but if you raise your army or who ever raises arms in violence to any US holdings we likely will just own your country in the end which would be better for what is left of the nation. And I suppose you know what might happen to the dictator and his supporters if that happens unless the weasels can slip away but I can’t imagine where in the world they can hide to not be found! Iran maybe? So drop the tough talk it is without any merit.
Why are there so many messed up leaders in South America? I guess that is why so many illegal aliens try to come to the US. So much corruprion. So very sad but each country has to clean it up. I am amazed at just the massive corruption in Mexico. That lady president is a sad example of the stupidity that runs it. She has definitey introduced herself in the US and it is not a good showing. What rich family does she belong to among the Mexican land owners or oligarth? Tied to the drug trade or not? It is so easy to view Mexico this way and pretty sad.
Been living on the southern end of AZ since the 1960s and it has not changed. It is just that now our business folks want the cheap labor so the border has become a war zone. Seems like 1970s were when that fired up and along with it more drugs, etc.. It is getting old and the mouthy bunch in Venzuela is worth crushing if they even try to tangle even with words! The leaders of that country are liars, cheats and thieves. We have dimwit nitwits who are just like them and just voted them out of power. We can export them to you if you want!