Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, delivered a stark analysis of U.S. foreign policy during an emergency UN Security Council session this week focused on Venezuela. Speaking on January 5, Sachs outlined what he termed a "79-year playbook" of U.S.-led regime change efforts, citing documented cases from 1947 through present-day 2026.
The economist detailed systematic strategies including covert operations, economic sanctions, media manipulation, and direct military action allegedly used to destabilize governments. "This pattern transcends administrations and geopolitical contexts," Sachs stated, emphasizing the continuity of tactics across nearly eight decades.
While addressing current tensions in Venezuela, Sachs connected historical interventions in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East to contemporary global instability. His remarks come as economic sanctions remain a contentious tool in international diplomacy, particularly affecting developing economies.
The presentation has reignited debates about multilateral governance ahead of key UN reform discussions scheduled for later this year. Development analysts note increased scrutiny of sanction mechanisms could impact Asian markets and cross-regional investment patterns.
