Today, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was overthrown as a result of a three-hour operation and brought to the USA.
The event caused widespread discussions in the international community. The arrest of the Venezuelan leader has once again brought to the forefront examples of how the USA has directly or indirectly influenced the political fate of various countries over the past decades.
Modern.az presents a list of heads of state whose overthrow the USA has played a role in throughout history. It should be noted that in some cases Washington influenced the processes through direct military intervention, while in others through political, economic, and diplomatic mechanisms.
Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
In 2003, as a result of the military intervention of coalition forces led by the USA in Iraq, Saddam Hussein was overthrown from power. He was later detained, brought to trial, and executed. This is one of the clearest examples of a regime change carried out by the USA through direct military intervention.
Muammar Gaddafi (Libya)
During the events in Libya in 2011, NATO’s, including the USA’s, air operations played a decisive role in the fall of the Gaddafi regime. Although Gaddafi was not directly detained by the USA, international intervention paved the way for his departure from power. This process is considered as indirect military support.
Manuel Noriega (Panama)
In 1989, the US military conducted a direct military operation in Panama. President Manuel Noriega was overthrown, taken to the USA, and there sentenced to a long prison term on charges of drug trafficking. This incident is one of the rare cases where the USA brought a foreign leader to trial on its own territory.
Slobodan Milošević (Yugoslavia/Serbia)
In 1999, NATO’s air strikes against Serbia and subsequent international pressure resulted in Milošević’s removal from power. Although the USA exerted military and diplomatic influence in this process, the overthrow did not occur through a direct operation but rather through indirect means.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Haiti)
As a result of US political and military influence, Aristide was removed from power twice. Especially in the events of 2004, Washington's role is considered as indirect intervention.
Salvador Allende (Chile)
In 1973, Chilean president Salvador Allende was overthrown in a military coup by General Augusto Pinochet. Although the USA did not directly carry out the coup, Washington’s political and intelligence support is regarded in international sources as indirect intervention.
Mohammad Mossadegh (Iran)
In 1953, Iran’s Prime Minister Mossadegh was overthrown as a result of a coup supported by the intelligence agencies of the USA and Great Britain. This is considered one of the classic examples of the USA influencing regime change through covert operations.
Undeposed leader: The case of Fidel Castro
It should be noted that not all of the USA’s attempts have been successful. Cuban leader Fidel Castro managed to remain in power for decades despite Washington’s political, economic, and intelligence pressures as well as alleged numerous assassination attempts. This fact has gone down in history as a key example showing that US influence does not always yield results.
The direct and indirect interventions carried out by the USA at various times have left deep marks on the international relations system. The recent events related to Venezuela have once again raised the topical issue of the failure of international law to function and the preference of major powers to resolve problems by force.
