Madero

As the situation in Venezuela unfolds it is mindful of the 1989 case in Panama. After the death of Omar Toffijos in 1981, Manual Noriega became the de facto (unelected president). He was an anticommunist who had worked for the CIA but when he came into power he moved toward communism and started using drug money to retain his power. He installed puppet presidents, rigging elections using his control of the military, in other words, a typical dictator. The US was concerned about his leaning toward communism and his expanding of the drugs coming into the US. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami on charges of racketeering, drug smuggling and money laundering. The US invaded Panama, captured Noriega, brought him to the US where he was convicted and sent to prison. The same thing is going on with Madero in Venezuela who came to power when Chevez died in 2013. Using his power, the constitution was change giving him authority much like a dictator. He organized the drug business around several other countries using help from communist countries Russia, China, Cuba and Iran. He is considered illegitimate by most of the world and seen as rigging elections. The US is now putting pressure on Madero to vacate by sinking his drug boats and taking over his oil tankers. He has been offered sanctuary in Turkey.