The Country Needs an Outside Moderator

Miriam Kornblith, a Venezuelan sociologist and political scientist, is the director of the Latin American and Caribbean program at the National Endowment for Democracy.

UPDATED FEBRUARY 27, 2014, 12:31 PM

Venezuela has a history of overcoming domestic differences that seemed intractable. The fact that President Nicolás Maduro took office through elections provides him with legitimacy, but it also provides legitimacy to opposition elected officials. This shared electoral legitimacy is a strong starting point to seek agreements.

Because it is increasingly difficult for both sides to engage in a dialogue, the international community should emphasize the need for democratic principles.

A significant problem lies in the fact that the ruling coalition is composed of players who don’t uphold a sincere adherence to democratic rule, who have used democratic institutions in an opportunistic fashion to impose a nondemocratic regime with the Cuban model in mind. However democracy and elections have become the only acceptable path – both domestically and internationally – to gain and renew power.

Because it has become increasingly difficult for both sides to generate dialogue beyond empty rhetoric, the international community should play a significant role by emphasizing respect for democratic principles. Hemispheric bodies such as the Organization of American States , Mercosur, Unasur, in addition to international bodies such as the European Union and the United Nations – which are heterogeneous in their composition and include representative of both sides – could play a constructive role.

Venezuela has not reached the tragic stages of war-ridden Central America in the 1980s, South Africa’s apartheid, the ethnic conflict of the Balkans, Syria’s current tragedy, etc. but unfortunately it is escalating in unacceptable violence and further deterioration must be prevented. Leaders from both sides require strong mandates both from ordinary Venezuelans and from the international community to seek effective agreements. The hemispheric community, in particular, has been shamefully absent from, or overtly complacent with, the Venezuelan drama; the current conflict may provide an excellent opportunity to get usefully involved.