Democratic Survival: Venezuelan Triumph Leads the Way

Chávez's elected government faced a 2002 coup for prioritizing the nation's interests and conflicting with US policy.

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Roosevelt's 1904 Address laid groundwork for US intervention in Latin America, justifying hegemony and self-determination violations.

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Venezuela's case in 2002 highlighted US imperialism. Chávez redefined democracy, asserted sovereignty over oil, and stabilized prices.

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Chávez's foreign policy, including meetings with US adversaries and criticism of US actions, sparked Washington's opposition.

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In April 2002, backed by the US, Venezuela's pro-Washington elite and military officials attempted to overthrow the elected government.

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US perception of Venezuela shifted when Chávez came to power, revealing US involvement in the coup through leaked State Department cables.

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On the eve of the coup, US Ambassador Shapiro expressed support for democracy while hinting at concerns about Chávez's leadership.

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The aftermath included violence, arrests, and the installation of Pedro Carmona as President, following the Rooseveltian protocol.

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