AND IN VENEZUELA – AT 9:14 A.M. ET:  Protests also continue in Venezuela.  The U.S. State Department is denying Venezuelan government charges that we are helping the opposition.   Frankly, we should be doing just that, and maybe force a regime change that will lift Venezuela out of Marxist darkness.  But wimpishness is in style, so we're not lifting a finger.  From CNN: 

(CNN) -- They've faced gunfire, tear gas and water cannons.

And now a man who led them in days of anti-government demonstrations is behind bars after turning himself in to authorities.

But Venezuelan protesters were still in the streets after opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez's arrest Tuesday, demanding better security, an end to scarcities and protected freedom of speech.

President Nicolas Maduro and his supporters also rallied, blaming the opposition for causing the very problems it protests.

Clashes during days of demonstrations have already left three anti-government protesters and one government supporter dead. And the simmering tensions show no signs of letting up.

The confrontation took a dramatic turn Tuesday, when Lopez, accused by the government of conspiracy and murder in connection with the recent violence, marched with a crowd of thousands of protesters before surrendering to national guard troops.

"The options I had were leave the country, and I will never leave Venezuela!" Lopez told the massive crowd. "The other option was to remain in hiding, but that option could have left doubt among some, including some who are here, and we don't have anything to hide."

COMMENT:  Eventually, this clash will be decided by the Venezuelan military, which is painfully corrupt.  It receives favors from the government in exchange for support.  The issue is whether the military will put country first and join the opposition.  I should stress, of course, that we're engaging in some speculation here.  It's not fully clear that the opposition would turn out to be better than the existing, oppressive government.  But we should explore the value of regime change.

February 19, 2014