by Tarek ElJarrari

Talk about foreign meddling — how can a member of the opposition simply declare himself president, and then have most countries in the western hemisphere, some of which claim to champion democratic values, recognize him overnight?

The Venezuelan crisis is uncannily reminiscent of what happened during the 2010 Arab Spring. Just look at what happened in Libya. Granted, there are sociological, political, cultural and historical differences. Nevertheless, the parallels are intriguing.

The formula seems to start out with an ideological thorn in the side, like Qaddafi, or Chavez/Maduro, presiding over an oil-rich country. Beacons of democracy, they are not. These leaders may very well be corrupt, criminal tyrants, but when did the U.S. government start really caring about that?

Forms of “hard power” are moderated, with tactics such as sanctions, to coerce these leaders into submission. When that fails, we resort to more aggressive and direct forms of coercion.

There is no better vehicle for direct intervention than using the local population. Inciting, encouraging and supporting a local “uprising” paves the way for more forceful measures, with the presence of willing “mercenaries” on the ground who can be co-opted into furthering our agenda.

This is exactly what happened in Libya. Soon after the first protests took place, and Qaddafi hardened his stance, the U.S. enlisted the service of its proxies in the region, like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the U.A.E. to channel arms to the protestors.

Most forms of media, including Western, commercial, mass and social, were quickly weaponized.

Before long, “Qaddafi lost all legitimacy, and had to go,” President Barrack Obama said.

Most countries in the Western Hemisphere did not disappoint, and jumped eagerly on board to promote the U.S.’s fictitious claim of “protecting civilians.”

I have no doubt that weapons are already being stockpiled in Colombia, awaiting orders from the U.S., to begin distribution in neighboring Venezuela. I am equally convinced that American military “advisors” are being briefed, and strategic sorties are being planned — complete with targets and objectives.

Maduro may be finished, but if the Venezuelan people are successfully baited by the U.S. into taking up arms, it could spell disaster for the country for years, if not generations, to come.