The Fifth Column #524 - BTW, Venezuela is a Dictatorial Commie Narcostate (w/ Thor Halvorssen)
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Sep 18, 2025 Thor Halvorsson, founder of the Human Rights Foundation and Venezuelan activist whose mother was shot during protests, shares his insights on Venezuela's troubling transformation into a narco-state under Hugo Chavez. He delves into the complexities of US responses to corruption and drug trafficking, questioning the effectiveness of international interventions. Halvorsson also highlights the Venezuelan exodus, the risks dissidents face, and the failures of the UN's approach to human rights, painting a stark picture of resilience in the midst of chaos.
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Founding From Personal Tragedy
- Thor Halvorsson founded the Human Rights Foundation after watching his mother be shot at a protest in Venezuela.
- He channeled trauma into creating an organization focused on authoritarian regimes rather than Western democracies.
Human Rights NGOs Misplaced Focus
- Thor argues major human-rights NGOs focus disproportionately on democracies rather than authoritarian states.
- He created HRF to concentrate resources on countries with no independent media, judiciary, or civil society.
Venezuela Is A State-Controlled Cartel
- Thor frames Venezuela as a cartel that controls the state rather than a normal criminal problem.
- He says this structural reality explains why diplomatic fixes and elections alone cannot restore democracy.
