Having tried, and failed, to hamper Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution during Hugo Chavez’s presidency, the United States has intensified its attempts to permanently disrupt the socialist process now headed by Nicolas Maduro.

Funding Venezuela’s opposition and oligarchy — the same tactic the U.S. used to bring down Salvador Allende’s socialist government in Chile — prompted a strong statement from Maduro earlier this month: “As President, I will not permit that Venezuela suffers as Chile did in 1973.”

On Feb. 12, Venezuela’s Telesur reported that the government had thwarted a coup plot involving both civilians and members of the military. As the plot became public knowledge, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a series of tweets pledging the Bolivarian National Armed Forces’ (FANB) loyalty to Maduro and the Bolivarian Revolution.

La FANB se mantiene incólume en sus convicciones democráticas y rechaza las pretensiones golpistas que atentan contra la paz de la República — Vladimir Padrino L. (@vladimirpadrino) February 12, 2015

Translation: “The FANB remain resolute in their democratic beliefs and reject coup schemes that threaten the peace of the republic.”

La FANB reitera su apoyo incondicional a nuestro Cmdte en Jefe @NicolasMaduro y se mantiene al lado del pueblo de Venezuela en pie de lucha. — Vladimir Padrino L. (@vladimirpadrino) February 13, 2015

Translation: “The FANB reaffirms its unconditional support to our Commander in Chief @NicolasMaduro and stands alongside the people of Venezuela in their struggle.”

Since the riots against Maduro’s government started on Feb. 12, 2014, the U.S. has taken great pains to portray the socialist government as infringing upon human rights and attempting to strangle the Venezuelan opposition’s allegedly peaceful protests.

While Maduro has accused Vice President Joe Biden of attempting to instigate the coup, Biden’s office issued a diplomatic response reiterating allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by Maduro’s government: “President Maduro’s accusations are patently false and are clearly part of an effort to distract from the concerning situation in Venezuela, which includes repeated violations of freedom of speech, assembly, and due process.”

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