According to Ethiopian political scholar Dr Asenake Fale, the unfolding crisis in Venezuela sends a powerful message to the rest of the developing world, and leaders from Africa, Asia, and Latin America must band together to defend their sovereignty.
Speaking to journalists, an associate professor of political science at Addis Abeba University said the situation in Venezuela should serve as a wake-up call for countries in the Global South, particularly those that have faced decades of political interference from powerful nations.
Dr. Fale explained that many developing countries continue to face what he calls “external pressure disguised as diplomacy”, in which larger global powers influence domestic political decisions in smaller states.
He described Venezuela’s experience as a reminder that sovereignty should never be taken for granted. To protect themselves from future interference, he said, developing countries need unity, cooperation, and a common voice on the world stage.
The scholar also dismissed claims that Cuba could become the next major target of US intervention. He emphasised Cuba’s decades-long history of intelligence and military defence. In reference to the failed US-backed Bay of Pigs invasion, he stated:
“The Cubans defeated the CIA in the ‘Bay of Pigs.’ I don’t think the Americans would attempt a similar campaign in Havana.”
According to him, Cuba remains one of the most security-conscious countries in the region and would be difficult to destabilise.
But beyond Cuba or Venezuela, Dr Fale said the deeper problem lies in the global governance system — particularly the United Nations. He argued that the UN has repeatedly failed to protect weaker countries when powerful nations choose to intervene militarily or economically.
He cited historical examples such as the invasion of Iraq and the violence in Gaza as painful reminders that the UN Security Council frequently lacks the strength and political will to hold superpowers accountable.
For him, this demonstrates that international law does not always benefit all nations equally. While smaller countries are expected to follow global rules, stronger nations may act above the law with no consequences. This imbalance, he said, leaves many developing nations feeling isolated when they face external aggression or economic pressure.
Dr. Fale believes that the only realistic solution is for Global South nations to band together, particularly African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian states with shared histories of colonialism, resource exploitation, and political interference.
He argued that coordinated diplomatic cooperation, mutual sovereignty defence, and stronger regional institutions would make it more difficult for external powers to dominate independent states.
According to him, the concept of the Global South goes beyond geography. It includes countries that share common struggles, economic challenges, and historical injustices.
Working together, he said, these countries can advocate for fairer global policies, protect their political independence, and strengthen regional economies that rely less on powerful Western-controlled institutions.
He also encouraged young people, academics, civil society, and policymakers in developing countries to become involved in global affairs and defend their national rights.
Democracy, he said, must never become an excuse for foreign governments to interfere with or influence political processes in other sovereign nations. True democracy grows from within societies, not through external pressure.
Dr Fale concluded by saying that unity is not just an emotional slogan but a real political necessity. Without cooperation, he warned, individual countries remain vulnerable. But together, the Global South can safeguard their political future and negotiate more confidently on the world stage.
His message was simple: a united Global South is stronger than any single powerful nation.
