Deteriorating Situation in Venezuela

[Mayer]

Trump's atherosclerotic inconsistency never ceases to amaze me. He repeatedly praised Duterte* and Kim Jong-un ** - and easily forgets to praise Maduro. A shameful display.

* "Rodrigo, the show last night was fantastic. And you were fantastic.”
** "I think we understand each other. He speaks, and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same"

It's Realpolitik, it doesn't have to be consistent.
Trump is trying to charm Duterte, because he threatened to switch to the chinese camp and DPRK has nuclear weapons, it's too hot to invade.
Venezuela is an easy victim and Trump can show himself as a "liberator" in good-old fashion. Another war will surely do wonders to his election results.

[Aexodus]

Are you seriously defending CUBA here?

[Love Mountain]

Are you seriously defending CUBA here?

Cuba deserves credit for things they have done well. US deserves criticism for their role in destroying Cuba's economy and harming the lives of their citizens. This was done purely for geopolitical reasons. For anybody who values human life and responsible hegemonic power, the sanctions on Cuba are repugnant. They're not building nukes there, nor are they enslaving the population. If the U.S. was interested in ridding the world of authoritarianism, oligarchy, and violation of human rights, they should've started with destroying the Mexican P.R.I. government in the late 50s.

[Ludicus]

Are you seriously defending CUBA here?

The entire world....UN General Assembly renews long-standing call for end to US

A total of 189 UN Member States voted in favour, with Israel and the US voting against the resolution, urging all States to “refrain from promulgating and applying laws and measures” which among other things, in the case of the embargo, interfere with the freedom of trade and navigation. There were no abstentions.

Sukiyama has already answered that question.
-----

US help is highly politicized

Venezuela is an easy victim and Trump can show himself as a "liberator" in good-old fashion. Another war will surely do wonders to his election results

Bingo,
Trump has turned foreign aid into shabby political theatre | Guardian Peter ...

...As a New York Times leader suggested earlier this week: “Trump is only incidentally speaking out in support of the downtrodden. His chief motivation appears to be to rally his far-right base by proclaiming himself a warrior against ‘socialism’ – an evil he identifies not only with the radical policies of Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor and mentor, but also in the platforms of some Democratic presidential hopefuls.”
As US assistance in the Trump era barrels towards an ever darker place, its tools seem daily more authoritarian than democratic

Trump defends Saudi Arabia, despite Khashoggi murder. And again, Trump's Idea of a Middle East Nuclear Deal - The New York Times

An interim report from the House Oversight Committee paints a familiar picture of Trump associates skirting the law to curry favor with people who can make them richer. This time, the dealing doesn’t involve Russians but Saudis, and it is not about a lavish tower in Moscow but the sale of nuclear power reactors.

By ramming through the sale of as much as $80 billion in nuclear power plants, the Trump administration would provide sensitive know-how and materials to a government whose de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has suggested that he may eventually want a nuclear weapon as a hedge against Iran and has shown little concern for what the rest of the world thinks.

The report also warned, “Within the United States, strong private commercial interests have been pressing aggressively for the transfer of highly sensitive nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia

In January 2017, IP3 International, a private company that has assembled a consortium of American companies to build nuclear plants in Saudi Arabia, wrote Prince Mohammed, proposing a “Marshall Plan for the Middle East.”

Should we laugh or should we cry?

[Prodromos]

A 7–11 February Colombian survey of 1,008 individuals in more than 20 cities, with a margin of error of 3%, found that 70% of Colombians had a favorable view of Guaidó, and 93% had a negative impression of Maduro.[127]

Surveys between 30 January and 1 February by Meganálisis recorded that 84.6% of respondents recognized Guaidó as interim president, 11.2% were undecided and 4.1% believe that Maduro was president. The study of 1,030 Venezuelans was conducted in 16 states and 32 cities.[128][129]

A telephone survey of 999 Venezuelans by Hercon between 25 and 30 January showed that 81.9% of respondents recognized Guaidó as president, 13.4% said Maduro was president and 4.6% were undecided.[130] A Meganálisis survey of 870 Venezuelans between 24 and 25 January reported that 83.7% of respondents recognized Guaidó as the legitimate president, 11.4% could not decide who was president and 4.8% recognized Maduro as president.[131]

A survey of 900 people between 19 and 20 January by Meganálisis reported that 81.4% hoped that Guaidó would be sworn in on 23 January while 84.2% supported a transitional government to replace Maduro's government.[132] A telephone survey of 1,000 registered voters by Venezuelan pollster Hercon, conducted from 15 to 19 January 2019, reported 79.9% of respondents agreeing with Maduro leaving the presidency. When asked if they agreed with the National Assembly swearing in Guaidó as interim president, 68.6% agreed and 19.4% disagreed.[133]

Maduro gotta leave while he still can.

[Vanoi]

Guaido is going to try to cross into Venezuela from Colombia today to deliver humanitarian aid. Already reports of a couple guards of the National Guard defecting to the opposition.

Also reports of some Natives known as the Pemones taking over an airport from the National Guard on the border with Brazil.

[Vanoi]

https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/sto...border-10.html

https://venezuela.liveuamap.com

Multiple reports of humanitarian aid trucks being burned as they tried to cross the Bolivar bridge. At the border with Brazil there are reports of the National Guard opening fire protesters and killing a couple of them and wounding several others.

Situation is definitely escalating.

[Aexodus]

Ah yes, humanitarian aid is how I would invade a country

[Love Mountain]

If the U.S. is really concerned about the humanitarian situation in Venezuela, they wouldn't have sanctioned it in the first place. The only thing this shows is the blatant geopolitical interest of U.S. in Venezuela. U.S. has no right to interfere in the internal politics of another country. Humanitarian aid should've been given to the people of Venezuela without strings, instead of making grandstanding gesture for Guaido.

[Vanoi]

You weren't aware already the US was doing this out of geo-political interests? Thought that got established pages ago. Nevermind it isn't just the US meddling in this issue but most of South America and Europe as well.

Venezuela isn't an internal issue when it's neighbors are hosting millions of it's refugees from it's "internal politics"

Humanitarian aid did come with no strings. Maduro rejected it as foreign intervention. So Guaido takes advantage of that to make Maduro look.

To think this all traces back to Maduro and his actions against the National Assembly in 2017. You reap what you sow.

[Love Mountain]

You weren't aware already the US was doing this out of geo-political interests? Thought that got established pages ago. Nevermind it isn't just the US meddling in this issue but most of South America and Europe as well.

Venezuela isn't an internal issue when it's neighbors are hosting millions of it's refugees from it's "internal politics"

Agreed, but that's hardly a US concern. Especially since we are not suffering from the refugee crisis. I would certainly understand if South American countries were applying this pressure, but they're not. They're looking to Uncle Sam to do the heavy lifting.

Humanitarian aid did come with no strings. Maduro rejected it as foreign intervention. So Guaido takes advantage of that to make Maduro look.

To think this all traces back to Maduro and his actions against the National Assembly in 2017. You reap what you sow.

This all traces back to Chavez's economic policies. The reality of the situation is that attempting to topple Maduro is playing with fire. There is no "greater good" when it blows up in your face.

[Vanoi]

Agreed, but that's hardly a US concern. Especially since we are not suffering from the refugee crisis. I would certainly understand if South American countries were applying this pressure, but they're not. They're looking to Uncle Sam to do the heavy lifting.

American Allies are suffering though. A migrant crisis isn't great for stability either.

I understand your point though. South American nation's should apply more pressure but these countries don't exactly have the muscle to do the heavy lifting. That's why they look to others like America to do it.

This all traces back to Chavez's economic policies. The reality of the situation is that attempting to topple Maduro is playing with fire. There is no "greater good" when it blows up in your face.

Economic policies aside if Maduro didn't sideline the National Assembly they'd have no legal means to just declare one of themselves Interim President.

I get the playing with fire, but Maduro's regime isn't stable to begin with. I think it's a matter when this would blow up and how bad it's gonna be.

[Love Mountain]

American Allies are suffering though. A migrant crisis isn't great for stability either.

I understand your point though. South American nation's should apply more pressure but these countries don't exactly have the muscle to do the heavy lifting. That's why they look to others like America to do it.

If America's goal is stability in South America, there are a lot of ways to do that. Considering the heavy history of the War on Drugs and the havoc it has wreaked, we should be doing better. In particular, America could've offered to help with the refugee crisis in neighboring countries. That would've been an admirable and effective way of isolating Venezuela. In addition to that, the fact that we kicked off the whole international crisis to begin with, does not look good from a purely objective perspective.

Economic policies aside if Maduro didn't sideline the National Assembly they'd have no legal means to just declare one of themselves Interim President.

I get the playing with fire, but Maduro's regime isn't stable to begin with. I think it's a matter when this would blow up and how bad it's gonna be.

It's understandable that the people of Venezuela dont give a anymore, and are willing to die and fight Maduro's regime. However, it's not the place of United States to aggravate tensions.

[Vanoi]

If America's goal is stability in South America, there are a lot of ways to do that. Considering the heavy history of the War on Drugs and the havoc it has wreaked, we should be doing better. In particular, America could've offered to help with the refugee crisis in neighboring countries. That would've been an admirable and effective way of isolating Venezuela. In addition to that, the fact that we kicked off the whole international crisis to begin with, does not look good from a purely objective perspective.

America didn't kick off the crisis. This was a crisis in the making that climaxed when Guaido decided to just declare himself Interim President. You can honestly blame the opposition for actually starting this whole thing. But like i said this was a crisis in the making.

Helping refugees is only a temporary solution. China and Russia would not abandon Venezuela nor the Cubans no matter how bad the Americans made them look. And those countries are all Maduro needs.

It's understandable that the people of Venezuela dont give a anymore, and are willing to die and fight Maduro's regime. However, it's not the place of United States to aggravate tensions.

Though my views on this differ i do agree that aggravating the situation isn't a good idea.

[Love Mountain]

America didn't kick off the crisis. This was a crisis in the making that climaxed when Guaido decided to just declare himself Interim President. You can honestly blame the opposition for actually starting this whole thing. But like i said this was a crisis in the making.

You're right, I did phrase this wrong. What I meant to say was, Guaido declared himself President and is instantly recognized by United States and many, if not most, other countries. United States recognizing Guaido is a huge escalation of the conflict in my eyes. Symbolically, at the very least. I also think that this was yet another geopolitical blunder by us.

Helping refugees is only a temporary solution. China and Russia would not abandon Venezuela nor the Cubans no matter how bad the Americans made them look. And those countries are all Maduro needs.

I disagree. I think indefinitely helping South America with the refugee crisis is the first and the very least, that United States can do. I don't know how much you know about the history of South America, but we've essentially strong armed the majority of that continent into toeing a certain line. If we want real allies, instead of sycophants, than we need to start repairing the damage we've caused over the last century. Mexico, a country we have very good relations with, is our ally out of fear of necessity. Compare that relationship to our relationship with Canada, a country that genuinely sees us as an ally and friend.

Our stance on Venezuela and Cuba makes us look like the world's biggest ing hypocrites. We should've approached the situation carefully and with grace. Instead, we engage in these hardline antics like it's the Cold War. What's next? We start preparing for a low-scale intervention if the Guaido opposition starts an open rebellion? And believe me, I think it could really come down to that. While Maduro enjoys a lot of support in the military and still has a sizable loyalist chunk among the people, there are many people who are sick and tired of his regime and will likely fight for a better life if they think it's the only option they have left. What then? Are we going to bomb Maduro? Are we going to supply arms? Are we going to demand Maduro steps down?

America has never been shy about supporting authoritarians and military governments in the past. If our mandate is avoiding violence, we need to drastically change our policy regarding South America. My suggesting, is to negotiate Russian and Chinese debts in order to broker a power-sharing agreement with Maduro. As in, we will help with Russian and Chinese debts, in exchange for Maduro enacting reforms in the country, and agreeing to step down after his current term. There are a lot of things America can do in order to get the result we want. And if we really want to dominate South America, we have to win their "hearts and minds".

Of course this'll never happen. This is the same kind of foreign policy that hails Plan Colombia as a resounding success.

Though my views on this differ i do agree that aggravating the situation isn't a good idea.

It is incredibly irresponsible and ineffective. This is the opposite of Monroe Doctrine.

[Aexodus]

Maduro has declared Columbia to be a ‘fascist’ state. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Al_ishWLsH4

Not something he learnt from his western counterparts or anything...

[Ludicus]

United States recognizing Guaido is a huge escalation of the conflict in my eyes. Symbolically, at the very least. I also think that this was yet another geopolitical blunder by us... We start preparing for a low-scale intervention..?

We will see what happens but at the moment that seems to be the case. A few days ago- speaking to Fox Business Pompeo said,

People don’t recognise that Hezbollah has active cells. The Iranians are impacting the people of Venezuela and throughout South America.

Pompeo also said on Trish Regan Primetime

The Cubans invaded Venezuela, destroying the way of life for the Venezuelan people for an awfully long time

For all these reasons- Maduro, the evil oppressor with uniquely evil/omnipresent terror allies, Cuba, Hezbollah and Iran, Pompeo said that the US administration "will take action" in Venezuela. To conclude, Pompeo offers a terror threat justification for another U.S. military intervention. I'm not surprised. Meanwhile, Guiado will meet Pence at Lima Group meeting Pence in Bogota .
The political stage is set for the Venezuelan invasion; the performers are ready.

[Mayer]

Remember when Simón Bolívar ruled both countries unified as Gran Colombia?
It even had the fasces as Coat of Arms:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Both Colombia and Venezuela have a history of dictatorships and abuse of office, they are in no position to attack each other for being undemocratic.
Maduro is right however, when he says that Colombia is an aggressor and acts as an agent of US imperialism.

[Prodromos]

We will see what happens but at the moment that seems to be the case. A few days ago- speaking to Fox Business Pompeo said,

Pompeo also said on Trish Regan Primetime

For all these reasons- Maduro, the evil oppressor with uniquely evil/omnipresent terror allies, Cuba, Hezbollah and Iran, Pompeo said that the US administration "will take action" in Venezuela. To conclude, Pompeo offers a terror threat justification for another U.S. military intervention. I'm not surprised. Meanwhile, Guiado will meet Pence at Lima Group meeting Pence in Bogota .
The political stage is set for the Venezuelan invasion; the performers are ready.

So what's the problem? What was Pompeo wrong about? Sounds good to me.

[Gallus]

So what's the problem? What was Pompeo wrong about? Sounds good to me.

Really? What do Hezbollah and Iran have to do with Venezuela? And what is everyone's problem with Cuba, seriously, has anyone who believes in evil Cuba actually been there? The only problem that Cuba has is that it is poor. If every poor Caribbean country is the enemy then boy, do you have some invading to do.