Tariq Ali, a well-known British intellectual, called the claims that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is involved with drug cartels "a figment of the imperialist imagination." Speaking to The Hindu, Ali said he was not surprised by recent events in Venezuela, including the January 3 U.S. attack. He recalled Cuban leader Fidel Castro's warning to Hugo Chávez that the U.S. might try a Noriega-style plan to remove their leaders, and noted both leaders would rather fight than hide like Saddam Hussein. Ali believes parts of Venezuela's Bolivarian government were ready to let Maduro go, especially pointing to acting President Delcy Rodríguez's compliance with American pressure. "That is my view," Ali said, adding that Rodríguez has known about the U.S.'s plans for months. He also raised questions about how Maduro’s Cuban bodyguards were killed, asking, "Who killed them? Who shot them? How come their guns had not been fired?" Ali highlighted that the U.S. is now openly trying to topple governments and said Trump's approach is more blunt: "Trump says, ‘Yes, I am doing this. So what can you do about it?’" According to Ali, the U.S. targets Venezuela’s oil wealth. He said, "When Mr. Maduro refused to accept Mr. Trump’s demands, he wanted him to go." He also blamed the far-right extremists within Venezuela's opposition for celebrating Maduro’s abduction. Ali criticized Western media for blaming Maduro’s government unfairly and pointed out the media's role in supporting American interests. He noted that Latin America is politically shifting right, with countries like Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia seeing authoritarian or right-wing moves. Mexico stands out as an exception, with its President supporting Cuba’s oil supply. Ali warned, "If Cuba falls because of Maduro’s capture and U.S. control over Venezuela, it would be a heavy blow to the Left worldwide."