Saturday, February 2, 2019

Venezuela: Guerra de Nervios (War of Nerves)

At this stage the actual "war" between Maduro's government of the Bolivarian revolution and  the United States along with the opposition government proclaimed by Guaido is one of building pressure.

The United States is applying pressure in order to convince a critical mass of the Venezuelan public and, more importantly, those that wield power in Venezuela, to abandon Maduro while Maduro is busy gauging the loyalty of those who can ensure his government's survival.  This is a war of nerves with the United States having the initiative and Maduro attempting to build cohesion.

What does all this have to do with a war game blog?  Everything, as there is a wealth of simulation opportunities unfolding.  Obviously, the United States believes there is a certain level of opposition to Maduro's regime within reach that once obtained, will see a friendly government installed. This allows the following game concept:


  • Game split between the War of Nerves (propaganda, sanctions, food aid, money, gold and oil and pressure built or diffused by international politics) and intervention / invasion.

  • Possibility of multi-player and semi-RPG in the War of Nerves portion of the game. For example, the Bolivariana players can be split by various power players with different motives. The commanding general of the National Guard has a vested interest in regime survival as his personal survival may be on the line but a key general, with family residing overseas may play a game of changing sides if the opposition allows him to retain his wealth.

  • If the US players can only get a draw or are losing the War of Nerves game they have the option to escalate and intervene. Different scenarios allow for an "International Peacekeeping" deployment to outright invasion and regime change. 

  • Option for three players or three teams with the Bolivarian regime, the US and the Venezuelan opposition. Both the US and opposition are allied but have different victory conditions. 

  • Game can also have an option for a post invasion simulation.  The Maduro player may win the War of Nerves causing the US player to invade and obtain an overwhelming victory. Post invasion, who wins the peace?  
I am following these Twitter accounts:

Republica Bolivariana 


Presidential Press Office


Venezuelan National Guard
https://twitter.com/GNBoficial

Ministry of Defense
https://twitter.com/PrensaFANB

Strategic Operational Command
https://twitter.com/ceofanb

Channel 8
https://twitter.com/VTVcanal8

Republica Bolivariana US Backed 


https://twitter.com/jguaido?lang=en

National Assembly
https://twitter.com/AsambleaVE?lang=en


United States

Note: I'm not adding the Trump twitter account as his account will mostly deal with domestic politics and in this War of Nerves the following members of his administration will take the lead on the Venezuelan situation.

Vice President
https://twitter.com/VP?lang=en

Secretary of State
https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?lang=en

Asst. to the President for National Security Affairs
https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton?lang=en


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