Expert: US will try its best to oust Russia from Venezuela - OPINION

Baku. 4 February. REPORT.AZ/ Under Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, American companies were nationalized, so it is only natural that the US defends its interests in Venezuela today, Deputy Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolai Kalashnikov said. "The role of world powers in crisis in Venezuela is secondary. The main thing is the confrontation between supporters of the Bolivarian revolution, proclaimed by President Hugo Chavez and implemented by Maduro, the successor of this policy, and the western-oriented local bourgeoisie," N. Kalashnikov said.

"Much was done to improve the situation of this part of the population, including the issue of distribution of free food sets, housing construction, exemption from utility bills. At the same time, there was an offensive against the rights and opportunities of a rich bourgeois class, as well as the middle  class. They are the main supporters of oppositional Juan Guaido against Maduro," the Russian expert believes.

Speaking generally about support of Maduro by the people of Venezuela, he noted that the electorate in the country was divided approximately in half.

"Some experts believe that Maduro is supported only by 30% of the population, but these 30% are much better organized, "cemented " by ideology in contrast to the opposition, which has been fragmented for all that time with the leaders of various factions feuding for dominance, generally weakening the opposition" said Kalashnikov, adding that he would not assume responsibility to declare that the majority of the population are against Maduro.

According to him, today there is an unstable balance in Venezuela in which there is a stratum of hesitant voters who, depending on the current situation, can swing in one direction or another.

Speaking about Maduro's proposal to hold extraordinary parliamentary elections, the expert pointed out that the alternative would be the simultaneous re-election of the parliament and the president, but Maduro cannot accept this yet.

Commenting on the US influence on the region, the political scientist recalled that the United States sought to eliminate the regime of Hugo Chavez.

"Maduro's regime is favored by Americans no better, since under Chavez, the American companies were essentially nationalized. It is natural that the United States defends its interests in Venezuela, " Kalashnikov added.

Touching upon Moscow's support to Maduro, the deputy director noted that Russia has a priority in economic interests in Venezuela, leading oil development work there and selling weapons to Caracas.

"Russia does not intend to voluntarily give up trade and economic cooperation with Venezuela, but Americans will try their best to remove Maduro from power, to take pressure on the new Venezuelan government to oust Russia from Venezuela," the expert concluded.