Name: Economy fuels Venezuelan calls for regime change amid U.S. threats
Uploaded: 2025-12-03T07:33:37.237Z
Duration: 2 min 31 s
Description: Venezuelans grappling with economic hardship are voicing support for regime change as the U.S. increases military presence in the Caribbean.

Venezuelans grappling with economic hardship are voicing support for regime change as the U.S. increases military presence in the Caribbean.

Caracas

Venezuelans continue to endure severe economic difficulties, prompting many to cross the border daily for work or to reunite with family. Amid these hardships, calls for political change have intensified, especially as the United States increases its military presence in the Caribbean and issues threats of potential attacks on Venezuelan territory.

The Venezuelan government accuses the U.S. of targeting the country's oil reserves and seeking regime change, particularly after a U.S. judge authorized the sale of Citgo's parent company to a hedge fund. Despite ongoing tensions, negotiations between the two countries persist, with some international voices advocating for dialogue and caution regarding forced change.

Economy fuels Venezuelan calls for regime change amid U.S. threats

Jose Parada crosses the Simón Bolívar Bridge between Colombia and Venezuela almost every day. He survives by selling pens and other items and says Venezuela needs political change. Venezuela has to change. People barely make enough to eat. The border has become tense and authorities don't want us to work. The government wants to stay by force, but they have to go. It is happening as the United States continues to increase its military build-up in the Caribbean and Donald Trump says that attacks on Venezuelan soil may begin soon. For the thousands of Venezuelans who cross the border every day to work, trade or reunite with their families, they say uncertainty has become the new normal. They say that Venezuela has seen years of instability in the past. However, this moment feels different, more volatile, more unpredictable. Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves. Its government says that is what the United States is after. The National Assembly on Tuesday denounced what it calls the theft of Venezuela's natural resources after a U.S. judge authorized the sale of a parent company of Venezuela's oil company Citgo to a hedge fund in the United States. Our president has expressed with clarity that the threats of the use of force by the United States and the use of force against civilians has the intention of regime change and the objective is to steal our natural resources. But negotiations are ongoing. Even though the U.S. announced the Venezuelan airspace is closed, it recently requested authorization for flights carrying Venezuelan deportees to resume. Venezuela authorized U.S. flights to land at the airport in Maikitia on Wednesday. As tensions remain high, Pope Leo is hoping for more dialogue. I believe once again that it is better to find ways to have dialogue, maybe pressure, including economic pressure, but searching for other ways to change if this is what the United States is willing to do. Venezuelans have been struggling with economic hardship for years. The ongoing tension with the United States adds to their concerns. And even though there are many who are hoping for change, there are many others who are afraid what that change will bring about. Teresa Bom, Al Jazeera, at the Colombia-Venezuelan border.

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