LETTER | The latest aggression of the United States towards Venezuela represents a tipping point where the rest of the world must decide whether to continue supporting its tyranny.

US President Donald Trump, as all far-right leaders do in times when capitalism is in crisis, is trying to assert the waning hegemony of the US over countries that defy it.

This time, he has illegally bombed Caracas and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, together with his wife. The writing on the wall is clear: the US is willing to go beyond the realms of sensibility to bully other nations to follow suit.

With the rise of alternative blocs such as Brics and China, the US is fast losing relevance. In fact, the largest impacted group is the citizens of the US themselves, as social programmes are facing massive cuts.

By clamping down on Venezuela, Trump is looking to not only benefit from its petroleum but also send a warning to other nations that are looking to be more independent of the US.

Not only that, in an ensuing press conference, Trump states that US officials will be running Venezuela until a time they see fit to hand it over to a group that benefits them.

This is a clear threat to the sovereignty of all of us. What is stopping the Trump administration from doing the same to Putrajaya if it disagrees with US interests? Are we to line up as vassal states instead?

The international community has played to the tune of the US for long enough. It is now time to act decisively and with conviction. It is time to realign our political and economic interests away from the US.

Whilst Malaysia has expressed its objections to the US’ violation of the international order, more can be done. We must seriously consider actively building alternative blocs.

Brics can be one. Asean itself needs to be bolstered for more equitable trade and cooperation to be further independent of global hegemons.

In the spirit of the Bandung conference, a new South-South economic cooperation must be built to sustainably align production and markets for nations seeking life outside of US pressure.

US business interests, especially those with ties to Israel and military infrastructure, must be divested from.

Malaysia must lead a regional pressure group against the US and call for a full retreat from Venezuela. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, must be immediately released.

The United Nations must be convened to censure the US for its many crimes, but particularly for moving against Venezuela at this time in this manner.

Already, Venezuela has been targeted by US sanctions and embargoes that destroyed its economy. Now, there is a grave military threat.

Nations everywhere must come together to end this senseless bullying by the US. Today, the target is Venezuela. Tomorrow, it will be us.

Either we fight back now, or cower forever under the shadow of Trump’s USA.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.