Who is John Pilger?

 

The Relentless Voice Against Empire – Lessons for the US-Venezuela Crisis and a Warning for the World

In an era where journalism often bends to the whims of power, John Pilger stood as a defiant outlier—a thorn in the side of imperialism, as one tribute aptly described him. Born in Australia in 1939 and based in the UK for much of his career, Pilger was a filmmaker, author, and investigative journalist whose work exposed the hypocrisies of Western foreign policy. His documentaries and books peeled back the layers of propaganda surrounding wars, economic exploitation, and the subtle machinations of global dominance. Pilger passed away in December 2023, but his insights feel eerily prescient amid the escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela in early 2026. As US forces launch strikes on Caracas and capture President Nicolás Maduro, Pilger's critiques of "modern era imperialism" as a "war on democracy" resonate louder than ever.

John Pilger's journey into journalism began in the 1960s, a time of global upheaval marked by the Vietnam War and decolonization movements. Raised in Sydney, Australia, Pilger started as a cadet journalist before moving to London in 1962, where he joined the Daily Mirror. His early work focused on social issues, but it was his coverage of Vietnam that catapulted him to prominence. Pilger's 1970 documentary "Vietnam: Still America's War" challenged the official narrative, highlighting the human cost of US involvement and the media's complicity in perpetuating myths of progress.

Over six decades, Pilger produced over 60 documentaries and wrote numerous books, including "Heroes" (1986), "Hidden Agendas" (1998), and "Freedom Next Time" (2006). His style was unflinching: he combined on-the-ground reporting with archival footage and interviews to dismantle the facades of power. Pilger was no neutral observer; he openly aligned with the oppressed, critiquing not just overt military actions but the subtler tools of empire—economic sanctions, media manipulation, and "humanitarian" interventions.

A recurring theme in Pilger's work was the persistence of imperialism in a post-colonial world. In "The New Rulers of the World" (2002), he examined how globalization served as a veneer for old-world exploitation, citing Indonesia as a case where up to a million people died as the price for being the World Bank's "model pupil." Pilger argued that institutions like the IMF and World Bank enforced policies that enriched Western corporations at the expense of the Global South. He extended this critique to Western media, accusing outlets of "lies of omission" that sanitized imperial actions.

Pilger's engagement with Latin America was particularly profound. In documentaries like "The War on Democracy* (2007), he spotlighted US-backed coups and interventions from Chile to Nicaragua, framing them as assaults on popular sovereignty. He praised figures like Hugo Chávez in Venezuela for resisting this hegemony, viewing their social programs as antidotes to neoliberalism. Yet, Pilger wasn't uncritical; he acknowledged flaws in these regimes but emphasized that external pressures often exacerbated them.

His later works, such as "Utopia" (2013) on Indigenous Australian struggles, and "The Coming War on China" (2016), warned of rising tensions with emerging powers. Pilger's death in 2023 prompted tributes from across the left, hailing him as a "fierce critic of empire." Jacobin magazine noted his tireless exposure of Western imperialism, from Vietnam to Iraq. Counterfire called him a "great critic of privilege, power, and empire," underscoring his books on revolution and resistance.

Pilger's legacy is one of moral clarity in an age of ambiguity. He believed journalism's role was to hold power accountable, not to echo it. As one Guardian open thread reflected, his work highlighted race and class as core elements of imperialism, with the US embodying these in its history. Today, as the US asserts dominance in Venezuela, Pilger's voice urges us to question the narratives of "democracy promotion" and "anti-narcotics" operations.

At the heart of Pilger's worldview was the idea that imperialism never truly ended—it evolved. In interviews, he described "modern era imperialism" as a "war on democracy," where genuine self-determination threatens unfettered corporate and state power. This manifests through economic coercion, media propaganda, and military force disguised as benevolence.

Pilger drew parallels between historical colonialism and contemporary globalization. In "The New Rulers of the World", he detailed how Indonesia's resources were plundered under the guise of development aid, leading to mass deaths. He saw similar patterns in Latin America, where the US has intervened over 50 times since 1898, often to protect business interests. From the 1954 Guatemala coup against land reforms threatening United Fruit Company to the 1973 Chile overthrow of Salvador Allende, Pilger argued these were not aberrations but systemic.

In "The War on Democracy", Pilger focused on Venezuela under Chávez, portraying it as a beacon of resistance. He interviewed ordinary Venezuelans benefiting from oil-funded social programs, contrasting this with US efforts to undermine the government through sanctions and coup attempts. Pilger contended that Washington's hostility stemmed not from human rights concerns but from Venezuela's defiance of neoliberal orthodoxy and its alliances with Cuba, Iran, and Russia.

Pilger's critiques extended to the media's role in manufacturing consent. He accused outlets of omitting context, such as how US sanctions devastate economies while blaming local leaders. In a 2016 interview, he reiterated that imperialism targets democracy because it empowers the vulnerable. His support for anti-imperialist figures sometimes drew criticism for overlooking their flaws, but Pilger maintained that the greater threat was Western hegemony.

These insights provide a lens for the US-Venezuela crisis: economic sanctions as weapons, military actions as resource grabs, and rhetoric as cover for dominance.

US-Venezuela ties have been fraught since the early 20th century, rooted in oil. Venezuela's vast reserves— the world's largest—drew American companies like Standard Oil in the 1920s. By mid-century, it was a key supplier, but tensions arose with nationalization efforts.

The turning point came with Hugo Chávez's 1998 election. His "Bolivarian Revolution" used oil revenues for poverty reduction, challenging US influence. The US backed a 2002 coup attempt against Chávez, which failed amid popular backlash. Pilger documented this in "The War on Democracy", showing how media portrayed the coup as a "pro-democracy" uprising.

Under Maduro, who succeeded Chávez in 2013, relations deteriorated. The US imposed sanctions in 2017, citing corruption and human rights abuses, crippling Venezuela's economy. Hyperinflation, migration, and shortages ensued, which the US blamed on socialism while critics like Pilger attributed to sanctions. In 2019, the US recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as president, escalating pressure.

The Essequibo dispute with Guyana added fuel. Venezuela claims the oil-rich region, annexed in 1899. In 2023, Maduro held a referendum on annexation, prompting US-Guyana military exercises. By 2025, Venezuela elected a governor for "Guayana Esequiba," heightening tensions. The ICJ case remains unresolved, expected mid-2026.

Pilger would see this as imperialism's playbook: sanction, isolate, intervene.

As of January 4, 2026, the US-Venezuela conflict has exploded into open confrontation. On January 3, US forces launched strikes on Caracas and surrounding areas, capturing Maduro and his wife in Operation "Absolute Resolve." Maduro, indicted in 2020 on narcotrafficking charges, was extradited to New York for trial. Trump declared the US would "run" Venezuela during transition, citing stolen elections, drug trafficking, and expropriated oil assets.

Venezuela's response was defiant. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino rejected US oversight, while Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership. Protests erupted, with some celebrating Maduro's ouster and others decrying imperialism. The operation involved Delta Force, with no reported US casualties yet.

Global reactions vary. China and Russia condemned the strikes as hegemonic. Europe equivocated, with EU leaders like Kaja Kallas calling for consistency but avoiding sanctions on the US. Latin American nations like Guyana activated defenses amid Essequibo fears. Caricom urged restraint.

Oil is central. Venezuela's production, at 1 million bpd, could surge with US investment, but China claims $60 billion in debts. Trump coordinated with oil firms pre-strike. Critics like Bernie Sanders decry it as adventurism amid domestic crises.

Pilger would interpret the 2026 events as textbook imperialism. The strikes, justified as anti-drug and pro-democracy, mask resource control. As in "The War on Democracy", the US targets regimes challenging its hegemony. Sanctions, which Pilger called economic warfare, weakened Venezuela, creating pretexts for intervention.

The oil angle echoes Pilger's globalization critiques. Expropriations in the 2000s, now cited as casus belli, were responses to unequal deals. US plans to "reimburse" itself prioritize corporations over Venezuelans.

Alliances with China and Russia, which Pilger warned about in "The Coming War on China", position Venezuela as a proxy battleground. The Essequibo dispute, amplified by US-Guyana ties, fits Pilger's view of divide-and-conquer tactics.

Media omission persists: coverage focuses on Maduro's flaws, ignoring sanctions' role. Pilger's antidote? People power, as in Chávez's era.

The crisis reverberates globally. Latin America faces instability, with refugees straining neighbors. China loses a key partner, potentially escalating trade wars. Russia, amid Ukraine, sees hemispheric threats.

Oil markets could spike if disruptions occur, affecting energy prices worldwide. The Monroe Doctrine's revival signals US unilateralism, eroding UN norms.

Europe's tepid response highlights transatlantic divides. BRICS may rally against "hegemony."

If tensions don't de-escalate, the outlook is grim. By mid-2026, Venezuela could devolve into insurgency, with militias sabotaging oil infrastructure. US occupation—framed as "transition"—mirrors Iraq: high costs, no quick wins.

Regionally, proxy escalations loom. China could arm allies like Nicaragua, sparking Monroe Doctrine enforcements. Russia might intensify Ukraine support, linking conflicts.

Globally, oil shocks could trigger recessions, with prices hitting $150/barrel. BRICS de-dollarisation accelerates, weakening US dominance. Cyber attacks and hybrid warfare proliferate.

By 2027-2029, a "hostile reconstruction" quagmire ensues: legal battles with China, stalled oil recovery, persistent unrest. This could ignite wider wars, from Caribbean blockades to Pacific tensions, eroding sovereignty and fueling authoritarianism.

Pilger warned of such cycles. De-escalation—via diplomacy, sanction relief, UN mediation—is essential. Otherwise, the world risks a new cold war, hotter than before.

John Pilger's life was a testament to speaking truth to power. His exposures of imperialism offer a roadmap for understanding—and resisting—the US-Venezuela crisis. As strikes echo across Caracas, we must question the narratives and advocate for genuine democracy, not imposed from afar.

The path forward demands de-escalation, lest we repeat history's darkest chapters.

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Author

Campbell Kitts