The Pete Quiñones Show Episode 1294: Debunking Regime-Based Venezuela Propaganda w/ Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson
Nov 18, 2025
Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson, a researcher and former professor specializing in Russian history, dives into the complexities of U.S. intervention in Venezuela. He reveals the resource motivations behind the extensive regime-change efforts and highlights Venezuela's strong military alliances with Russia and China that deter U.S. actions. Johnson also discusses the legitimacy of Venezuela's elections and critiques the impact of sanctions on the economy, all while dissecting the narratives shaped by mainstream media around the country.
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Venezuela's Social-Nationalist Model
- Venezuela under Chávez and successors enacted a social-nationalist project that respected private property while nationalizing key industries.
- Matthew Raphael Johnson argues this model reduced inequality and prospered until U.S. sanctions disrupted it.
Election Process And International Rejection
- The July 28 presidential election used biometric IDs, touchscreen voting, and paper backups, which observers found largely reliable.
- Johnson says U.S. diplomatic pressure and opposition boycotts, not electoral fraud, explain international rejection of the result.
Strategic Resources Drive Geopolitics
- Venezuela's strategic value includes vast oil reserves, lithium, gold, and rare earths that attract foreign interest.
- Johnson cites former U.S. Southern Command leadership acknowledging resource control as a central motive for U.S. pressure.