Bello Venezuela's political quarantine

摘要

AS IF IT were needed, coronavirus is a cruel reminder that the man who holds all the power in Venezuela is not Juan Guaido, whom some 60 countries recognise as its president, but Nicolas Maduro, the dictator who kept the office by electoral theft. Blaming foreigners for 36 detected cases of covid-19, on March 16th Mr Maduro ordered a lockdown of the country similar to those in Spain and Italy, placing the armed forces in charge of enforcing it. That may be medically sensible. It is also politically convenient. Mr Guaido, who is the speaker of the National Assembly, last month began a new round of street demonstrations against Mr Madura's regime, which will now presumably stop. They are a shadow of the massive protests that followed his proclamation as "interim president" 14 months ago, when Mr Maduro began a second term after a fraudulent election. In theory the opposition remains committed to ousting Mr Maduro and calling a democratic presidential ballot. But sweeping American sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry have so far failed to break the regime. Talks between government and opposition broke down in September. That leaves the opposition with a dilemma.