Manufacturing Consent

The military of venezuela sold maduro out. Delcy wasn't in a position to sell anything. The generals were when they gave intelligence on maduro and loyalists and stand down orders to allow low flying helicopters to make the US look tough.

The US military would've never agreed to that mission without a deal with venezuela's military, mobilized, targeting the most protected spot in the country. They couldn't reliably take out all the weapons systems that could hit helicopters, including rpg's and shoulder fired weapons, machine guns some truck mounted, manpads.

So it stands to reason the military is the de facto ruler of venezuela, and it's civilian leadership are puppets, being overseen by the military to sell out the assets and give their tribute to the US. This is a template from the cold war, I'm shocked our news is so bad none of them have broached this even with their audiences.