Is the NYT supporting reporting or regime change? We should all be unimpressed with the reporting on this article. The US’s dark role in central and South America, and how “aid” has been used to clearly foster political agendas doesn’t even receive a mention here, which makes this article read more like Trump admin propaganda than real journalism. The $20million in aid the US is supplying is a drop in the bucket compared to the billions lost from illegal sanctions and frozen assets orchestrated by the United States. The people who suffer the most from these policies have been the Venezuelan people. Where has the concern for the Venezuelan people been all along when Venezuela’s economy started to collapse with the crash of oil prices? What would Venezuelans economy look like if we had helped support their recovery instead of squash them with sanctions? Aid has long been used as a political tool by the US in the region to foster regime change when democratically elected leaders don’t fit our vision of corporate capitalism. The most notorious architect of despicable US policies in the region is none other than the Elliot Abrams during the 1980s. And guess who’s back from the crypt to provide “aid” to the Venezuelans time around as the Trump administration’s point person? Elliot Abrams. In reporting on current events from the region I expect much much more historical context from NYT.
It seems this would be a great thing if it can be done:
"For more than a week, activists and officials have said they are mulling the option of simply smuggling in aid through Venezuela’s porous land borders, along routes long used to transport contraband products and fuel. Opposition activists have said they have already joined forces with the Pemones indigenous community in eastern Venezuela to bring in supplies by river, using their canoes."
That plan seems like it would defuse the war threat.
What happened to infrastructure in US. Not impressed with his “art of the deal.”
3
The tragedy that is Venezuela today has been ignored since 2008 - most likely because there were not enough votes to be a concern to the President and his Secretary of State and it would have been unacceptable for him to put down 'socialism in action'.
Today, the U.S. can only hope that the Venezuelan troops will allow aid to enter the country - and that a reform gov't can be formed peacefully - without the aid of Iran and Russia.
Who remembers the Monroe Doctrine?
ln most hungary nations the government seeks to battle hunger. ln the great socialist paradise of starving Venezuela, the government is prepared to wage armed combat against food.
But wait- 50 other countries recognize the opposition leader? Where are they? Uh, what happened to all that so-recently-touted multilateralism??
Canada, Denmark...where are you? Oh...it’s just humanitarian aid. Kind of like those millions of women wearing burkas, imprisoned, tracked, denied....basic rights of freedom.
Time for more coffee.
Gee, I wonder how being a war- time President might help Trump?
Looking at how it gave the war criminal George W. Bush a shiny new uniform and his followers a blood soaked war to cheer on, I bet an invasion of Venezuela would be a great thing.
Great thing, of course, here means what it did for the Bush family, a lot of dead people and the right to strut about at the head of the American military as it devastates another part of the world.
And that comes from a veteran of the Vietnam War, another horrible exercise of killing and colonialism that ended horribly.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
1
This attack on Venezuela, first economic and now threats of real war, are a bipartisan effort. Yes Trump is meeting the pathologic needs of John Bolton, but it is a mistake to think this type of illegal international activity is all Trump. No. It is bilateral. Some would say that it is the product of the "deep state"
Why does Trump rail against"socialists", while fawning over Communist regimes in Russia and China? I must be missing something, because "a lot of people don't know this".
1
John Bolton is a war criminal.
4
@JJ
Agreed. I anticipate that eventually, he will have to be very careful which country he visits if he wants to avoid being in handcuffs. He will have to be content with shuttling between US and Israel.
Venezuela is a beautiful country with beautiful beaches, Andes mountains, the Orinoco river, with unique animal life and plants. It has the potential to be a totally stable economic country. What prevents Venezuela from being a great country is the red communist government it has. Please don’t be nice and call Venezuela a socialist country. Those living in the capital of Caracas even have a problem buying daily toilet articles, bath soap, even food. Even children are dying from hunger.
Our country must learn from the fractures of Venezuela, WWII German Nazi empire, the Roman empire, and the Greek empire and other countries where the people gave too much power to their central government, and latter regretted their action but could do nothing to reverse their horrible future. Total freedom to do whatever you want is a fictitious crystal ball dream. Nothing is free, not even freedom. Everything has a price to pay.
Trump criticizing Venezuela! Talk about the kettle calling the pot black!
2
One would think republicans would remember what a terrible job they did sticking there fingers into South America in 80’s .
M13 In America is a direct result of Republican Party foreign policy of Reagan presidency!
2
Trump is urging nothing short of a military coup.
Maduro is a dictator, but allowing the United States to dictate terms to a foreign government is poor for democracy.
It's especially important that this not become a platform for the denunciation of socialism. Maduro is no Chavez, who was inept but well-intentioned.
Maduro is a dictator in the Juan Peron mold, whose policies have nothing to do with true socialism.
1
@Jerry Engelbach...Would True Socialism be more akin to Stalinism or Taoism? Come to think of it, isn't True Socialism just Communism? The road map to Socialism is so confusing. Like a cornfield maze.
Thats what we need another big war with Trump leading the way . I hope you all have bomb shelters. Russia already warned this unhinged Trump Venezuela's their ally and China's also. If he is allowed to start it drag his sons Eric and Don to basic training then the front. I am former military so I know what its like being in basic and in the mililtary. GOP love to start wars but refuse to fight in them.
2
@D.j.j.k.... So few Americans have been to basic training, and certainly not to the front. Thank you for your service.
1
Wow. The progressives cannot even back humanitarian aid to Venezuela? A country starving, with no medical supplies? Even that is to be criticized? The US is not the evil one here folks. I cannot for the life of me understand. Readers would rather be on the wrong side than support anything the US does; well, unless it's being done by a Democrat.
1
Photo editors here seem to not be able to produce an outdoor shot without it being 3 stops too dark. Look at the first image and last three, they look like night, it's broad daylight. Some remedial image editing is in order.
1
Wow! I guess we (the U.S.) are the greatest threat to world peace! And its not just Trump. Remember Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, ... In fact continuous war since WWII. Im sure we have broken some sort of world historical record for international violence. Terrorists indeed!
2
Glad you woke up.
I'm sure that residents in Puerto Rico are heartened that Trump is so concerned about the human crisis in Venezuela. And, would deliver food and meds to Venezuelans who arrive at the southern border?
3
Trump & Co.'s objection to Maduro is that he's not Our Maduro. Thus it has always been in SA and CA. And - until our electorate finally realizes that - always shall be. That is the nature of Empire.
5
I would like to see this article address the impact of earlier-imposed economic and financial sanctions imposed on Venezuela. How much of the shortages of food and medicines can be traced to the economic warfare that the US has already been waging against Venezuela?
4
So immigrants from Venezuela and Cuba are welcome, but those from Central America need not apply. I'm not sure I understand the logic here.
2
If I've got this straight, we have our corrupt illegitimately elected dictator-in-training bullying the corrupt illegitimately elected bully dictator of another country ostensibly out of his heartfelt concern for the health and well being this other country's citizens, as his very own Dr. Strangelove National Security Adviser threatens military force (much to the delight of our dictator-in-training who's itching to start a war because he thinks it makes him look "strong"), while our disaster afflicted citizens in Puerto Rico, California, parts of NC, SC and TX get paper towels and photo ops.
The words farce and tragedy come to mind.
2
"Mr. Trump gave the warning in a speech denouncing Venezuela’s brand of socialism ..."
There is only one brand of socialism, it's called socialism. If that word is modified by words such as "democratic," or "national," as in Germany from 1932 to 1945, or "fascist,"as in Italy and Spain in the 1930s and 40s, or "Marxist," also called "communist," as in Russia and subsequently the Soviet Union after 1919, and as in China in 1949, the modifier words don't change the nature of socialism, only insignificant trappings it comes wrapped in to fool people.
The modifiers are lipstick on a socialist pig. Socialism in Venezuela is rightly called "democratic socialism," because it was installed there by democratically elected Hugo Chavez, and continues as democratic socialism under Maduro--the butcher of Caracas. What it is is socialism--period.
The socialism of these violent dictatorships began with the democratic election of a socialist regime, which sold itself on the basis of giving people lots of free stuff once they were elected. Then, as in Venezuela, once in office the regimes delivered some freebies to some people for a few short years before running out of resources to fund "free" social-welfare programs.
Today in America the word most often used to soften the visage of socialism is "progressive." An intelligent understanding of where the expensive social-welfare policies of progressives must inevitably lead is, in a word, socialism.
2
The bottom line is you hate Trump and will resort to any flimsy excuse you can come up with to undermine him. The long view of history that you take and your world-weary attitude regarding people’s various motives for criticizing Trump are not the priority right now, In fact, it’s the same type of conflicted moral reasoning that made Obama so indecisive. You can bet if he were still President he would do nothing in this situation which seems to be the style of leadership that you prefer. The fact is, Maduro is preventing humanitarian aid from getting through, and that must be dealt with first and foremost with decisive action. It kills you to admit it but Trump is doing his job of making America the moral leader of the world. He was the first to condemn Maduro and was followed in his actions by 70 other countries. The thought of that must really hurt you.
2
This standoff is about whether the foreign or the domestic thugs will be controlling Venezuela's oil. In any case, it doesn't look very good for the people of Venezuela.
1
A Socialist Threat! As I listened to Trump extoll the dangers of socialism in his speech on Monday, one of my first thoughts was that he was beginning another fright campaign. Bernie Sanders, on Monday, was still just considering another run for president. Other Democratic candidates are stating more of a socialist lean. More politicians are coming out in favor of single payer health care which, if we believed the Republicans during the Obama administration, is a socialist program to be feared. Before primary candidates get up much steam, Trump is working to breed fear and mistrust of them as socialists who would ruin our country. Perhaps his people knew that Bernie was going to announce his candidacy before the rest of us did? His claim that the US will never be a socialist country carefully planned to begin a campaign of fright and mistrust of anyone who might actually threaten his chances of another term. Stay tuned.
5
Will this be the distraction that Trump needs that will take away the heat being felt in the White House? A war in Venezuela, diplomatic relations with NK (an enemy with nukes), and giving nuclear capability to Saudi Arabia that would certainly put Iran back on course toward building a bomb are all on the agenda. Remember, if Trump doesn't win the next election he will certainly be indicted and likely jailed. He has nothing to lose, but we have plenty to lose by continuing to play games with this maniac.
11
@DSS...I don't get the part about diplomatic relations with NK. Wouldn't a good old fashioned nuclear war with Kim and the ensuing global chain reaction be a better distractor than a dust up in SA? I mean, think about it. Even if Trump lasts until 2024, he would still need a distraction to avoid doing hard time in the Big House. Nukes is his best option. He could come out of the bunker when the radiation levels are safe, and he would be the ruler of cinder earth. Trump Earth, so to speak.
also, what about Puerto Rico?
3
Trump is pretty terrible at everything, except causing trouble and creating messes. What better way for him to showcase his limited talents than to start a war? Republicans sure love a war, especially during the tenure of less popular Republican presidents. It is as if the gods are going down an awful checklist of worst case scenarios.
5
The threats aimed at Venezuela's Maduro shows Trumps pathetic lack of diplomacy: has he heard of the only successful technique of dealing with a Maduro type of stubbornness by using the proverbial "Carrot and the Stick" approach?
Here's an idea that Trump should have embraced, but like the long line of altruists in his position before him, couldn't:
Stop Sending American Wealth To Pay Dictators And Hope They Love Us In Return
It has NEVER worked.
3
President Trump is probably the only person who can unify a divided Venezuela. Unfortunately, he'll unify them behind Maduro.
4
So Trump is threatening the Venezuelan military with violence, an illegal invasion or at least bombing campaign of some sort, hoping they will revolt against Maduro. If you are in favor of this action, I can't understand why. It completely violates Venezuelan sovereignty, and once again we are the thugs of Latin America, ready to support the right at all costs. Can someone name one time when we have been on the right side in Latin America?
6
i confess to not knowing much about the politics of Venezuela so have no opinion about that.
But I know a lot about the politics of Trump and see him using mafioso coercive tactics. When faced with opposition to getting something he wants, he creates hardship and misery, taking hostages and victims. He then offers to relieve the misery only if his demands are met.
Trump is all stick and no carrot. His ultimate goal is the dictator's goal to dominate everyone who deals with him and control every resource. His supporters have made the decision to choose security over liberty. If Trump is given his way, US citizens will soon have neither.
5
Any strategy that involves Bolton is going to be extreme and most likely overreach. Add Trump ton the mix and it going to be a disaster. Which of course is what he wants/needs to distract from domestic issues.
7
The U.S. has a long, and violent history in Latín América that goes way back...result, thousands of innocents dead, tortured, disapeared... might be a good idea to read the most acclaimed book ever written on this topic & more...
"The Open Veins of Latín América" Eduardo Galleano, Uruguayo
7
The NYT readership stands proudly with Maduro even as they question the humanitarian aid Trump is flying in. Maybe they should sue Trump in federal court for diverting unauthorized funds to this suspicious cause. That’ll teach him.
1
@Edward
I don't see any NYT reader standing proudly with Maduro but you're welcome to look through whatever distortion lens you like. I see some standing proudly with the Venezuelan people, some respecting the sovereignty of another country, and some recognizing that history tells us these things are not so simple as we would like them to be.
I also see Trump thinking about himself again. He's been accused of being too friendly with autocrats. So, he's looking for votes here. Obvi? He's already demonstrated he doesn't care one whit about people in poverty.
6
@Edward It was Trump's sanctions and confiscation of Venezuela's foreign assets that exacerbated the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis. His offer of aid is little different from a kidnapper's offer to return the hostage. But instead of cash, the ransom Trump demands is political control of Venezuela.
3
He just needs to shut up. Is the telling them that he'll give them sanctuary if they stop supporting Maduro? Hmm, guess the wall wasn't that important after all.
3
Trump and Bolton, two chicken-hawks and demonstrably cowards. Talking tough from the safe confines of their delusional world. We certainly know their true colors by now. Big talk, no results, get up and initiate another mess to distract from the complete and total corruption of this administration. Rinse and repeat.
Ironically, Trump and Maduro are almost completely alike in their willingness to sacrifice anything to their corrupt agendas and egos. Amoral liars. Different sides of the same coin.
6
The WaPo indicated that El Trumpo was threatening the offshore accounts the generals and Maduro's allies are holding the money they are stealing in. That seems foolish since open threats can only be met with defiant rejection by such men.
At first I thought it another sign of how stupid El Trumpo is then I realized that stupidity is perfect cover for doing exactly what the Russians would want him to do in this situation. Make it publicly impossible for any of Maduro's allies to have a change of heart and move toward working with the legislature.
So what we have here, essentially, is another American president facilitating another South American military coup? Or are we supposed to believe, naively, that a Venezuelan general will happily cede his power to a civilian once Maduro is safely ensconced in a host country with his stolen billions?
4
Most of the people in Venezuela are very grateful with the efforts of America to help assuage their current situation. A vast majority of the population is willing to receive help. Support for Maduro is about 4% only.
We are telling the people about how the reaction of America to the Berlin blockade generated a lot of love from the people of Berlin about 70 years ago. And they can see how close had been Germany to America after tWWII. And when they learn about the "Candy Bomber" they are in tears. We show them newsreels from that time.
1
Hard to believe that an dictator like Trump is trying to upend the dictator in Venezuela
2
trump looks for a big distraction from the Many investigations bearing fruit.
4
I thought Trump was critical of U.S. involvement in wars in other nations. Now, he wants to start a war so that he can get an easy win and be a hero. That should please his base. He just wants to draw attention away from his domestic political troubles. Even if he does, he remains a constant liar, very harmful leader, and a disgusting individual.
4
"refusing to allow in emergency aid stockpiled on the border"
Why refuse aid?
They suspect it isn't aid. They suspect there are guns in there, and other support for a rebellion.
If there really isn't, that could be fixed with suitable inspection. Israelis do that all the time. So does our own customs enforcement at all our border crossings.
But then, maybe that can't be allowed, because it really isn't just aid. It is coup attempt number 3 or 4.
5
Gee. I don't feel completely comfortable with this commander in chief making decisions about going to war. Am I wrong for thinking that?
7
Trump needs to stay out of this. If America needs to be represented at this border, send American Catholic priests. They need a chance to help bring some good news.
2
BBC News - Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro interview: Full transcript
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-47211509
@Martica
He's a wannabe Castro.
@Martica
Yes, great interview. The reporter asks Maduro tough questions, and he gives surprisingly good answers.
Maduro: "In any case I tell you, the United States, Donald Trump's government, has sequestered $10bn (£7.75bn) of bank accounts that belong to us. They have sequestered billions of dollars in gold in London that are ours - that is money to buy supplies, raw materials, food, medicines. They have sequestered $1.4bn for many months, that we are going to use to buy food, medicines in Euroclear.
"It's very simple: if you want to help Venezuela, release the billions of dollars in resources that belong to us. So don't come with a cheap show, a show of indignity, of humiliation, where they offer $20m dollars in food that is toxic, and rotten.
4
@Martica Great interview. Convinced me that he is even more of a joke that I thought. Many like him in the world and increasing.
Trump, Bolton and Co. want a war for oil. Another distraction. How can the US justify backing yet another coup in Latin America? If they really care about humanity and democracy why not help Haiti, the country suffering from Capitalism?
3
@Gina DeShera -- Yes, though in this case it isn't so much the oil itself as control of oil prices. The world's largest reserves, which are currently not producing, have the potential to set world oil prices. That would mean under pricing the American oil boom, which is very expensive production per barrel.
3
@Gina DeShera
"Haiti, the country suffering from Capitalism"
That's hilarious. Haiti suffers from incompetence and corruption. Capitalism is the only thing that can save them. They share an island with the Dominican Republic. Guess which nation is a perpetual basket case and which has a relatively free economy and is not a basket case?
3
@Ed L. -- If the Dominican Republican is you success story, you've undermined your own point.
2
If Mr. Guaidó is really going to push out President Maduro, it's clear he's going to have to do his own dirty work. No President anywhere is going to just walk away because some of those in the international community don't recognize him or her, and demand that they leave. The whole idea that this would be enough was wrong from the start. If this opposition leader doesn't have the forces to mount such an attempt, then everybody should just back down, and negotiate with the current government of Venezuela to get the humanitarian aid across the borders.
1
So Puerto Rico was desperate for assistance after the Hurricane, and Trump withheld as much as he could. Great suffering then and still happening. Now he wants to force AID down the throats of an enemy. He's dying for an excuse to use military force in Venezuela, which will set back US relations with Latin America five decades.
6
@Wayne -- Interesting contrast, and very much to the point. It isn't just a photo op with paper towels, is it?
6
This article leaves me with the impression that Trump is giving serious consideration to military action by US forces in South America. Regardless of the wisdom of the option, where does the money for that potential adventure come from? He plans on robbing from DOD allocations to build his wall. What will he rob from to pay the bill for this?
Second...Has he given any consideration to involving Congress in this possible action? (And no, that is not a trick question.....)
3
Do the Venezuelan people really think they would be any better off with The Con Don and his Robber Baron brethren's man in charge?
Their only goal is to steal as much as they can. Resources, people's work at slave wages, destruction of the rule of law and power over them.
Please, Truly Good People of Venezuela, do not let the Robber Barons force you into more chaos so they can get more control over you.
Force your Socially Conscious leaders with wealth to step in and solve the political problem. YOU CAN DO IT.
5
@njglea
Don’t you mean “Socialist Conscious” leaders?
“Under this plan, protesters from Venezuela would overrun soldiers stationed on the Venezuelan side and allow the aid to move in, possibly using a forklift to push aside the containers blocking the bridge.”
It’s that first part, where the protesters overrun the armed soldiers, that may not go well.
Trump seems eager to start a war somewhere—anywhere—to get Americans’ minds off Mueller.
3
I‘m a bit concerned that Trump might get us into another Vietnam, but this time right at our doorsteps. The days of heavy handed military invasions are over.
1
This move is clearly a provocation--probably designed with the help of America's most experienced and dedicated warmonger, John Bolton--to start a military confrontation between Venezuela and the U.S.
The purpose is to distract the American public from Trump's mounting problems:
--Investigations by Congressional committees into the many forms of Trump's corruption and his violations of his oath of office,
--Trump's phony "national emergency declaration" and his attempt to breach the Constitution's separation of powers simply to advance his 2020 campaign,
--Special Counsel Mueller's increasingly productive investigation of the Trump 2016 campaign's collusion with the Russians, and
--Trump's intellectual, moral, and emotional unfitness to be President of the United States.
6
The US leaves a large wooden horse filled with food and aid at the gates of Venezuela.
9
Why are we wasting our time? It would take the US about a week to clear out any Latin/South American country. Maduro has to know that.
Theyre used to the Maduro diet and starving anyway so what is less food?
1
So trump is a humanitarian now? Trump is predictably bad. Let me guess. This has to do with the third child that died in us custody. Trump will go back to blaming their parents for coming here.
3
So many comments here are filled with false ideas I don't know where to start. Socialism has nothing to do with this. And yes, mismanagement and the usual gov corruption no doubt play a role. And some help from the USA trying to force Maduro out. Why. Oil of course.
Maduro is an elected person and needs to be removed if the people want that, by an election. Venezuela has the largest reserves of oil in the world and whenever that happens in countries without large armies, USA takes advantage. US oil companies, in order to stay financially viable and pull in investors, they must have a decade of oil leases into the future. To do this they need new oil leases from any country, anywhere.
Hence the US interest in Venezuela. Trump is pressured by our oil companies to get in there, put in a puppet leader and get the oil leases going.
So US gov is spouting nonsense and propaganda. Since when would Trump tell the truth about anything?
Yes, the people have had bad food shortages but much of that has occurred by USA and even Saudi Arabia (helping us and themselves-oil competition, etc.). The opposition leader has been educated in the US and is the puppet selected to try to take over for us.
Everyone is confused about this but I'm old enough to have seen this happen over and over again in my life.
Don't be fooled. Just take a look at the slimmy person Trump has put in charge of this Venezuelan takeover. Abrahams. His is an old dirty trickster. Wake up folks! you are being fooled.
12
@Frank And supporting Trump makes Venezuelans look not so good. They are making a pact with the devil just to get rid of Maduro...there has to be a better way.
@Frank Do you mean "slimy" and "Abrams?" Apart from spelling, you are on the mark.
2
Maybe if you want to help starving children and also get them medical supplies, you should lift the sanctions.
11
If we truly believe Maduro is the problem and not the Venezuelan government's history of nationalization of resources and repression of its citizens, let's just take him out. Fifty million dollars should encourage him to emigrate to another country, hopefully not ours.
@Daphne
While the US has the best democracy money can buy, and its pretty mediocre.
I'll bet Maduro can't be bought.
If the US had not been working hard since 2002 to overthrow, first Chavez, now Maduro, Venezuela would be doing just fine.
Possibly with less poverty and better health care than the US.
But the US could not allow a country with socialist ideas to succeed.
It might make our beloved capitalism look bad.
4
@Daphne -- Good plan. Use it here. A few billion would buy out Trump.
2
@Mark Thomason
It would probably take less. Seems he owes his soul to the company store: Deutsche Bank.
1
The bellicose Trump is just salivating over the prospect of using American military might to send Maduro a clear message: "We have the best planes and bombs, folks!" Expect it to happen; it's an ideal way to distract from his debacle over the border wall and his overall failing presidency.
4
I'd love to know who cooked up this idea (Bolton?). as the analysts you quoted seem to think, this doesn't end well. if Trump actually wanted to help Venezuelans and not just feed his base, he'd cooperate with the UN and OAS - but we all know how much he abhors international cooperation (unless it's with despots...)
6
Bernie Sanders not long ago said "Venezuela is where the American dream can be attained".
What's happening there now has happened to a degree in every country socialism has been tried.
Beware of any politician who promises free stuff.
1
@Lane This is about corruption not socialism, and corruption finds a home in democracy and capitalism as well. I would also point out that we conflate democracy and capitalism as a form of government in the US. Scandinavian countries are democracies and capitalist countries, but they use national funds to invest in their citizens' education and health.
3
@Lane -- That's a lie.
4
Stop it already. Be honest. If you really want to help starving people look to Yemen.
Is it the oil? The Russians? Why is it so important. Actually I don't care. The only interesting thing about this is how the press is going to support the coming military action without supporting the president.
5
@Brian Oh yes, the free market has been just great in
eliminating poverty in the U.S. and look at the great medical system we provide.
6
@Brian -- "The only interesting thing about this is how the press is going to support the coming military action without supporting the president."
That is a really cynical, nasty view of our press.
I agree completely. I expect to see it right here too.
3
@Michael Sanford
What are you talking about?
I don't think it's a good idea to intervene in Venezuela. Both parties and most of the press do. It reminds me of the second Iraq war. I want to know why we're going to do it. Maybe some at the NYT knows.
2
“We hope that the press will be there to see the Maduro loyalists stopping humanitarian assistance from going to the poor people of Venezuela,” Mr. Bolton said.
- It's instructive, how Trump and his administration use the press when it is to their advantage, and abuse them when it isn't.
8
The real issue, with this crisis and any future crises, is Trump’s total lack of credibility. We know he doesn’t read, ignores his national security folks when their opinions don’t align with Putin’s, plays make believe with immigration and is wholly compromised. How can we, or citizens of other countries, believe anything he says or that his policies are sound and will address the problems? God help us when and if there are real threats to our security or a nation in need of our help.
5
Wow... So I guess there really is an illegal caravan heading to challenge the sovereignty of a country's border!
11
The U.S. government offers $20 Million one time while it's sanctions cost Venezuela over $30 Million every day.
The Red Cross and UN have said humanitarian aid should not be tied to political or military objectives.
The U.S. envoy to Venezuela, Elliot Abrams, has a history of sending weapons guised as humanitarian aid when he sent weapons to the terrorist Nicaraguan Contras in defiance of U.S. law. He was later convicted of lying to Congress about the Iran-Contra scandal, of which the weapons shipments were a part.
Historical context is crucial in understanding current events.
17
I also wonder how many Venezuelan refugees Trump will agree to accept? And how are they different from refugees fleeing other dictatorial nations?
10
And aid for the millions of people in other countries who face corrupt governments and horrific violence?
Trump says cut off any support, until they stop sending a few tens of thousands of people seeking asylum a year.
Are we actually seeking and deporting illegal Venezuelans, who can be easily found? Of course not, since THEY are the type we "like".
"Last year, 27,629 Venezuelans petitioned U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for asylum, an 88 percent increase from 2016 and up from 2,181 in 2014. So far this year [May 18, 2018], the number of Venezuelans who have applied — nearly all of them in Miami — is almost three times as great as any other nationality, according to the latest USCIS asylum data.
Unlike the Central Americans who wade illegally across the Rio Grande and turn themselves in to U.S. border guards, the Venezuelans typically land at the Miami airport with tourist and business visas.
They are, in general, wealthier and more likely to have legal representation, an advantage that significantly boosts their chances of being allowed to stay, statistics show. And they have the backing of South Florida politicians, especially Cuban American lawmakers who view them as natural allies in a regional struggle against Latin American leftism."
10
A very sad fact, which should be presented before this type of reporting on Venezuelan refugees is made, is the fact that the majority of them supported the very cause of their nation's failure and that was their government's takeover of most large businesses over that past 20 years. Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was a Venezuelan politician who was President of Venezuela from 1999 to 2013 and he was the one with a significant percentage of voter support who destroyed the businesses in that nation. Sadly, to most of those who are now leaving, or wanting to leave, Chávez is still a hero. On the one hand we should feel sorry for them and want to help, however, on the other, they made their choice and that choice was the primary cause of their nation’s failure. Venezuela should be a relatively wealthy nation, but they are not, and as long as they refuse to support business development where real profits are made and a long-term commitment to national economic growth is the basis for their government’s focus, they will collectively fall even farther. They have the tools necessary to realize this, but will they ever be ready? I don’t think so and until they do we should not be providing any economic support. It may take another total generation before they can even begin to fix their mess and unfortunately, they will suffer even more.
3
Oddly the US of A's "humanitarian concerns for the Venezuelan people" seems to lead to cheap available oil. Again.
13
If you haven't seen Trump's Venezuela speech, please do so. it was one of his most frightening and rambling orations yet. The speech revealed his principal campaign plan- opposing socialism in America. Half of the speech was about Venezuela. The other half was a tirade against D candidates who want to turn America into a socialist country- a change that will lead to poverty and dictatorship. D candidates need to start responding to this nonsense. First, stop saying you support "socialism." Most Americans don't know what that means anyway. Secondly, highlight American socialist programs- Medicare, Medicaid, Public Education, etc. How can any rational individual find that Medicare for the elderly is not socialism but Medicare for all is socialism? How can any rational person believe that public education for all is not socialism but medical treatment for all children is socialism? Don't let Trump use buzz words to continue to fool his core. Try your best to reason, as difficult as that may be.
34
Terrible, a country in the midst of political corruption, people's basic needs used as political pawns to achieve political objectives. A corrupt ruling family indebted to the Russians, and political cronies supporting a frivolous leader. Hey, this sounds too familiar.
Maduro is learning from the best.
14
Someone needs to explain to Trump that this is what a real "crisis at the border" looks like.
12
OK, suppose my country, Canada, decided that we didn't like foreign majority ownership of our oil patch anymore. Or got tired of the Saudis owning our Wheat Board. Or say, like the example in Quebec in the 70's and 80's, nationalized our hydroelectric power, other industries, and created laws which restricted language, which caused economic refugees to flow to the US and Ontario. So then hypothetically the US, following business lobbying and Quebec ex-patriates, impose sanctions which cripple our economy by making it impossible to refinance our debt, or freeze profits from our industries. Then, when we can't feed our people, the US actively destabilizes our country politically and threatens to invade on some flimsy pretext. Well, I know what my response would be as a citizen. And THAT, my friends is why you don't meddle in other countries - there's the UN. Your forebears fought and died for that UN. Use it once in a while, won't you?
32
Perhaps but I believe you are missing the widespread corruption of the new elite brought in by Chavez. While the US may bear responsibility here, it is not exclusive.
@Christian - that's a cynical distraction, and of un-nuanced and questionable veracity. You have widespread corruption in the US, and no one's talking about invading them for their own good.
2
@Cameron Skene
You need to get a wall put up to stop that American corruption swamping your country.
Venezuela today. Then an excuse for Canada tomorrow.
Lets see. I know. Maybe the national security threat caused by your weaponised steel and aluminium.
Yep that should sure be enough for the base and certainly mcconnell.
1
I know Trump is bad and therefore any aid sent to starving and sick people in Venezuela is bad too. But if you look carefully and reread the article, you will see that it is actually Obama that is sending the aid. He put the plan in motion and Trump is just trying to take credit for the Obama-aid. So now can we all agree that providing aid to starving and sick people is a good thing? Thanks.
11
@Leo I don't think it's the aid that is causing outrage. No one in their right mind would oppose that (assuming that it actually gets there and can help people.) It is the blatant threats against a sovereign country and the pretense of imposing democracy when we don't even have democracy at home. This is hardly the first time the US has imposed its will on Latin American countries, and we have been manipulating Venezuela for generations - all to the detriment of the Venezuelan people. The efforts at aid are paltry and largely for display and propaganda purposes. They will come to nothing, regardless. The political options in Venezuela - a corrupt and oppressive regime, versus an imposed regime that only bouys outside interests, and will most certainly end up just as corrupt as the current regime - and untenable.
13
@LeoObama was also a war lord and not the good guy he wanted us to believe in.
2
@Leo Perhaps you could quote the sentence in the article that states that Obama is sending the aid?
2
It’s about time world leaders stepped up and pushed for the ouster of a dictator egregiously abusing his people. Trump correctly understands that essentially the Venezuela regime is a puppet of the military. This is similar to Egypt, where the Arab Spring just switched the frontman of the regime. The world can’t solve all of Venezuela’s problems. Past elections have consequences. Concentration of power in a government creates a virtual single point of failure, which almost always leads to failure. It’s a lesson for America—if we look to government to solve all our problems we will lose the diversity that makes us strong.
3
@Chris Hynes But if anyone thinks looking to America to solve Latin American problems, that have largely been created by US interference in the first place, is a solution, they are delusional.
5
The crisis in Venezuela, seems to have deep roots, not just by Nicolás Maduro's maladministration. Immediate solution may be to give international aid. But Venezuela needs complete reforms from gross roots to the top most administration. Nicolas Maduro may be arrested, as their is no other immediate solution, because someone who cares to hold onto power, not bothered about his people, not even allowing international aid like food to enter his country is not at all a leader in the first place. But arresting him, putting him in jail, flashy news about his punishment alone is not going to give relief to the Venezuelan people, deeply affected by the present situation, like unemployment, poverty, violent crimes and total lawlessness because of maladministration and deep rooted corruption. Juan Guaido, may bring some kind of hope in the initial period. But his ability will be tested by his administration's performance, not by flashy news of Nicolás Maduro's arrest. Hope that Animal Farm story does not happen. The crisis can not be fully solved by an individual alone. Yes, it needs able leadership. But participation of Venezuelans, who are smart enough to give solutions to the problems faced by them is very important, as nobody knows Venezuela better than themselves, and also international factions may try to persuade policies that gives them sphere of influence. That's my personal opinion. Also, Venezuelan Army taking sides with corrupt leaders, is not patriotism, but factionism.
3
What about a corrupt country where the vast majority live in horrifying poverty and suffer preventable diseases? A country where the government allows lynchings of the minority, and terrible discrimination? What about a country with no sewage treatment but where the government wastes finds on aircraft carriers and nuclear weapons? Yes, the US should invade India to install a 'good' government.
5
Venezuela is the face of socialism, how can so many Americans be so blind as to think it is a workable system? Bernie Sanders once claimed Venezuela is the place where the American dream can be obtained. Bernie Sanders could not have been more wrong, he is not qualified to be a president.
5
@jaco ~
Venezuela is facing a corrupted system by a corrupt leader.
It is hard to find proof that it is socialism unto itself that is the underlying cause, not just horrific management.
5
@jaco The problem millions of Americans have is that they don't recognize that the vast majority of Democrats do not want to turn America into a socialist nation. They simply want the government to adopt policies that aid the poor and the middle class rather than make the wealthy few even wealthier. We have many programs that are "socialist" in nature including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Public Education for all, etc. The existence of these programs do not make us a socialist nation. Please don't be fooled by the Trump rhetoric and propaganda.
12
@jaco People once claimed that the U.S. is where the American Dream can be attained too. How many of the present generation are likely to do better than their parents?
1
Maduro is a shameful case of corruption, despotism and incapacity. But Trump´s proposal to the Venezuelan military is also a shame. He is telling them: Be with us and you can keep ill gotten gains. Otherwise we will punish you. There seems to be a return to the policies of the 70´s when the corruption of the military did not only destroy democracy, as in Argentina, but also the economic and social fabric of countries. Bribe the army and carry on!
5
There is no easy answer to someone who is starving his people while his cronies steal all the oil money in the country.
At least Trump and the 50 countries around the world are trying beyond saying "let diplomatic talks bring about a resolution".
This will continue to be ugly before Maduro is rooted out and then at least the people there will have a chance.
2
The last word anyone would use in describing Donald Trump is "humanitarian." How about sending the aid to Puerto Rico where our fellow citizens there still need it and stop trying to engage in "regime change"? Isn't that what "America First was all about?!
22
I must wonder what criteria 45 uses to decide which dictators to coddle or confront.
15
If the US ( or Trump ) Was sincerely and unselfishly interested in helping the Venezuelan people, they should take off the labels of USAID. People would know but it would not be humiliating nor provocative to the Venezuelan authorities.
4
Does anyone think there is actually a plan to remove the Maduro regime or is it just Trump bloviating to score political points with no real strategy behind it. Even the relief aid is less than a drop in the bucket for what Venezuela needs.
This will get a lot of people killed without removing Maduro. What is needed is a diplomatic effort to convince Maduro he can leave and seek refuge in someplace like Cuba. Unfortunately, this administration does not do diplomacy and does everything to pick pointless fights with allies and enemies alike.
7
The hyperinflation, the extrajudicial killings, the repression and starvation of the population in that country has been reported for years. Yet, over those years crude was still being imported and refined products sold to the Chavez and Maduro led government.
Now, now the international community, save for Russia and China, with Trump and with little Marco cheerleading decides to intervene in the affairs of a sovereign nation.
I am appalled at the conditions the people are enduring, I question as to why it took so long, and, what will Trump and the international community do now?
Will Trump's short attention span or his need for golf cause him to forget?
I offer that any concern for Venezuela is much too late. Perhaps the billions spent on the wall and the military actions of other countries would be better spent on the welfare of people.
4
Our government can't get their disaster relief efforts together to aid victims here in American during hurricanes, fires and flooding. However the Trump administration and it's lackey hawks and Senators are staged at a border without walls, escalating tension in yet another country. There's agencies like the Red Cross that should be providing the humanitarian aid to Venezuela, not the United States government itself.
This administration cannot control a judicial investigation, let alone a coup in Venezuela.
46
@merchantofchaos Worse. Trump wants to take aid designated for Puerto Rico (still devastated after a year and a half) to build his Wall. American citizens. But, I guess if you can't vote for POTUS you might as well not exist in Trump's world. Unless you're playing political games in Venezuela.
No, Donald, this move won't help you get a Nobel Peace Prize. Nor will that fake Japanese nomination.
3
Forget for the moment this is Donald Trump speaking; if that is possible. The fact is Maduro is now an international pariah and no longer has a single shred of legitimacy inside or outside of Venezuela; save for the Oligarch class in that sad nation. There was an international gathering in Canada a few weeks ago when the O.A.S. leadership urged that the world continue to pressure Maduro to step down; and the military to stand down. Failing that the U.N. should immediately declare an international state of emergence; A REAL ONE; and authorize all steps necessary to bring relief to the people of Venezuela by all means necessary; IMMEDIATELY!
8
@Greg Hodges "no shred of legitimacy" other than the fact the Maduro government is the legally recognized government by the United Nations and the majority of its member states. The cynical use of food under the guise of "humanitarian" aid cannot disguise the fact that the US only wants to control Venezuela's oil reserves. US actions are actually in violation of international law as recognized by the UN which was set up precisely to stop one country from trying to overthrow the government of another -- a practice the US government regularly engages in. We cannot forget it is Donald Trump speaking, a man who continually lies to us and is the real leader in the service of oligarchs, not the Maduro government whose support is rooted in the poor, the working class and the peasants. The leaders of the traitorous counter "government" in the service of a foreign power should be arrested and exposed as the lackeys they are.
9
@Dr. Scotch: First of all; over 50 governments all over the world have now recognized the leader of the opposition as the rightful voice of the majority of the people of Venezuela I agree with you that the U.S. has long tried to undermine legitimate gov`ts. in South America in the past; notably Nixon and Chile in the early 1970`s. This is different. Millions have fled to Colombia to avoid being starved to death. Hospitals have no medicine. Foreign aid is being blocked at the border. All because of Maduro. These are the facts. When lives are at stake; it is not the time to play partisan politics. I loathe Trump with every fiber of my being. But that does not blind me to the suffering of millions of people who are being denied the basics of life. Once that has been fixed; one can debate the oil of Venezuela until the cows come home. First things first...political purity can wait.
3
@Greg Hodges they are being starved by the sanctions from the US government, the blockage of their overseas bank accounts, their being prevented from selling oil, etc. They could buy food and other essentials for the population but are prevented from doing so. Both the Red Cross and UN refuse to play ball with the US on this so-called "humanitarian aid" which they say is a political ploy and not really humanitarian at all. First, you destroy the country's economy, blame the victim, then pose as the savior. Your so-called "facts" are just bits of fabricated US government propaganda and the majority of UN member states are not buying it. First things first, call off the US de facto economic warfare and let the legitimate government of Maduro have access to its funds so that a famine can be prevented. Otherwise, the blood will be on the hands of the US and its accomplices and supporters.
3
“no safe harbor, no easy exit, and no way out”
Ooh look at that parallelism. At least we know that he can read.
7
What the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, with the help of the military is doing is serious abuse of the state power through which to crush dissent and perpetrate state repression which will only aggravate the current economic and political crisis there. But what Trump is doung under the cover of humanitarian assistance is also a case of fishing in the troubled political waters of the South American state. This could have been better done through international cooperation instead of the unilateral action by Trump which amounts to playing geopolitical power game to derive political mileage at home, specially when Trump himself has pished the US to a serious crisis.
18
@Prof. Jai Prakash Sharma
This is all politics. Trump doesn’t care about the Venezulan people - anymore than he care about the Puerto Rican (US citizens) or Hondurans,etc.
He thinks he can use Venezuela, destroyed by reliance on a single product (oil) and massive corruption, as a rally-call against socialism - like the Venezuela was ruined because people could go to the doctor.
I’m pretty sure there is a team looking for a catchy rally sign and call - Finish the Wall isn’t really catching on (maybe because no part of Trump’s wall has yet even been started - maybe, even in Trumpland, you really can’t fool ALL the people all the time. They need a new slogan.
8
My thought exactly. This is not about suffering people in Venezuela for Trump. This is a political opportunity for him. As cynical as it sounds, Trump does nothing that doesn’t benefit him first and foremost. His rallying slogan for 2020” will include the word “socialist”. And his campaign will take advantage of any people he claims to have “helped”. God help us.
6
The way to end the blockade rests on the shoulders of ordinary Venezuelans. Venezuelans of all ages and sex should peacefully march en masses at the points on the border where aid is located and dare the military to fire on their children, their spouses, their parents as they escort the aid containing trucks back into Venezuela.
3
@Charlie Great suggestion, but what is in the humanitarian aid, t-shirts, old shoes, make-up, old toys, expired medicines, cans of chef boyardee soup, macaroni and cheese?
Are a few containers enough to fed a nation of several millions?
Too many unanswered questions.
1
Given the frequency truculence of US interventions in Latina America, both military and covert, since James Monroe declared his "Doctrine" in 1823, denizens of that region have little reason to welcome our "help", no matter what pretext is offered or where it is offered. Little good can be expected to come out of it.
93
@William Shelton
It's absolutely criminal what Maduro is doing to his people. I've read where most of the 80% of people starving have lost over ten pounds. Malaria, small pox and other communicable diseases are rampant. And aid has sat just a bridge away. Maduro has told his people that US aid is part of an invasion strategy? Crimes against humanity deserves the penalty history has dealt it.
6
@OldTimer Maduro doing to his people? US oil companies have pumped millions of gallons of oil out of Venezuela but left over 50% of the people living in poverty. Is it any wonder the people don't trust the US or its intentions?
27
@OldTimer
If Trump reallycared about the Venezuelan people, he could life the blockade - maybe as an emergency measure. That blockage might be part of the reason the people are starving.
Regime-change is an extreme measure and has rarely, if ever, worked. But it’s flashy and trump loves flashy rhetoric, especially at rallies.
12
The most valid point of the venezuelan government in this situation is the simplest and therefore the most accepted by the majority of the people in Venezuela: USA take away the economical and financial blockade you put in place and we, Venezuela, can buy all the food and medicines we need.
The hypocrisy behind this theatre is becoming clear to the people, as it is clear a provoked situation.
The venezuelan government is reaching out to about 6 million families with regular food supplies, which equals roughly a help for 20 million persons. Against this number the "aid" of US$ 20 million is somewhat meager and just a tiny little drop on a hotplate.
So US and some of its allies, stop making this show as it becomes clear to a majority in Venezuela that it is, again, a coup d'etat promoted by USA.
Without any doubt there is a severe shortage of supplies in the country, lift up the blockade and some $ 20 billion will be available for the purchase of the needs. Politically we certainly could need a change, but not by a forced action of the US with it long history of intervention in South America, still fresh in the minds of many.
120
@Titus Van Den Oever
It is the responsibility of a government to maintain international relations and perceptions for the benefit of the Nation. Chavez/Maduro are an example of failure in this regard.
I'm sure you happily complain about Trump and the effect he is having on global opinion of the US. Perhaps you take your own economic revenge by not buying American products or visiting. Well it works the same way for Venezuela. This is not "gringo go home, but leave your dollars".
5
@R padilla The US is again meddling in the affairs of other countries. Would you trust a US President on issues of foreign policy that is violating his own constitution to build a wall to keep out migration, shut down the nations public service to achieve the same aim, and told public servants to obstruct justice in the probes over his own conduct? Venezuela conducted free and fair elections in May 2018, the results of which were not amicable US economic interests. Hence this standoff. Look at the countries supporting the US position and ask if you would like to live under the regimes in those countries...especially Brasil, Colombia and Israel.
19
@R padilla -- "It is the responsibility of a government to maintain international relations and perceptions"
You mean "placate Bolton, and sooth Trump?" Nah, that is not the definition of a government's responsibility.
7
"Mr. Trump gave the warning in a speech denouncing Venezuela’s brand of socialism to an enthusiastic crowd in Miami that included many Americans of Venezuelan descent... who have fled Venezuela..."
Why no mention of Trump's red meat throw to Miami Cubans gathered at his speech?
Trump declared that Maduro was a "puppet" of that powerhouse of Communism; "Communist Cuba" while conveniently failing to mention Russia and China's support.
5
I love how an island in the Gulf of Mexico is a superpower able to topple much larger governments. Cuba is a vacation destination.
5
Corruption and authoritarianism top the list of problems in Venezuela and have for a while. Who does that remind you of? To my surprise, I agree with Trump when he says we can’t end up like Venezuela. Ironic isn’t it.?
7
If we are willing to send Guatemalan‘s and Honduran’s back to their countries, then the Border Patrol should have raided Trump’s speech and sent all the illegal Venezuelans back home. Remember, the people repeatedly elected Chavez and Maduro to power just as they elected Allende in Chile, Peron in Argentina, Marcos in the Philippines and Trump in the US.
This is just another 2020 election ploy.
11
How do you know there were illegal Venezuelans in attendance? and you're wrong about Maduro being elected. The only illegal here is Maduro, since January 2019, and that's why most Venezuelans are demanding he steps down.
7
Grossly insensitive to the dangers this plan exposes the people.
Conflagration in the works?
This is due to a failed administrative Latin American vision that will not embrace proper respect for the established government of a soverign republic (whether established democratically or not). THAT will be seen as the key issue!
So barging right in as if the border is a swinging-door with no significance under international law kindof dooms the effort and puts things into high-risk status.
A peaceful invasion with humanitarian intent is still an invasion. And that's how it will be seen by Latin America by and large.
Will people need to die over this and to what end? International conflict culminating in an invasion of Venezuela by the US?
This looks really wrongheaded because it can't pass the strictures of International law and may well bring about the deaths of many of those we wish to help.
Forcing Maduro"s hand will prove costly.
2
@Discernie
I agree with you completely. What's missing in many of the commentaries is the most obvious concern for me! This seems like a Wag the Dog moment where Trump can have a nice military moment like the Republican president he denounced, George Bush.
Like Robert McNamara,
1
@Discernie
I agree with you completely. What's missing in many of the commentaries is the most obvious concern for me! This seems like a Wag the Dog moment where Trump can have a nice military moment like the Republican president he denounced, George Bush.
Like Robert McNamara, Donald Rumsfeld spoke of his own blunders in terms of all the things that you don't know that you don't know. Military intervention breaks the number one rule that doctors always follow, Do no harm. It doesn't mean we sit and watch genocide! But we need to get an International Coalition to make a decision on the appropriate action so we are not the unilateral ugly American Bully. The Venezuelan people may need help but there has got to be a better way. I am not a Rhodes scholar International politics, General obviously. But those people exist and Specialists exist to give good advice to the president. Of course he will not take advantage of the innumerable resources available to him. I would love to know what Andrew basevic would do in this situation or what he would advise. Sorry for the rambling commentary! Peace to all
2
Venezuela better be careful or the United State Marine Corps will be on its way. And while we are there the US just may lay claim to all that rich black crude oil which could be used to fund the wall. That would solve two problems. So tread lightly Venezuela. You are on notice.
8
@Steve
It might be cheaper to send Don, Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany and partners/spouses. Along with John Bolton, Stephen Miller, Sean Hannity. Laura Ingraham, Tucker Carson, Jeanine Pirro, Ann Coulter and the Fox and Friends Hen Team 13.
5
Really? Threatening to start a war with Venezuela? Things are awful there, no question. But so are they in Yemen and Trump has no harsh words against Saudi Arabia.
These are empty threats anyway - like much of what Trump says. Just rally talk. Of course “The Wall” was rally-talk and it brought us a month-long shutdown and a made-up emergency. This Administration is such a colossal mess.
.
17
Time for a blockade of oil shipments.
1
In order to have a different perspective, it is worthwhile listening to The Intercept podcast episode "Neoliberalism or Death: The U.S. Economic War Against Venezuela" of Feb 13th.
That bridge was never really open.
On the other hand, international sanctions imposed a toll on Venezuela worth 23B$/year that is curtailing its ability to purchase food and basic necessities.
So the 20M$ in aid serve little purpose other then the US propaganda machine.
16
To know which way the wind really blows down there (or anywhere else for that matter) better first check with what Hannity, Coulter, Limbaugh and Ingraham have to say. That's where our real 'leadership' happensto reside these days. More's the pity.
19
@Guido Malsh -- Good Lord, with that crew, that really is "the wind that blows down there"... I'll stay upwind, myself.
2
So trump defends Venezuelans but not Puerto Ricans.
46
@Marlene
Didnt you know that the vast majority of PR's moved to FL last year? Their corrupt Govt stole Billions and left their country impoverished. Trump ordered Billions in Aid and there werent enough Truck drivers left in PR to get it to the people.
3
@Next
your sources for this information, please!
2
The pictures of the blockade in all the stories on the ongoing Venezuela situation is of the Tienditas Bridge, which connects Venezuela and Columbia. The bridge was actually never in operation, and google photos from 2016 or 2017 show the fence and cement blockades on the Colombian side. Apparently Columbia blocked the bridge because of the many migrants that came into Columbia because of economic hardship. (The containers are new, and they're from Moduro). There is another bridge going into Venezuela where there is activity going in and out, so why are we shown pictures of this bridge?
See the CBC's article "How a bridge between Colombia and Venezuela became part of a propaganda fight".
9
A few Democratic politicians have been warning our actions in Venezuela should not mimic the coup which toppled Allende in Chile in 1973. Some history:
Allende was an avowed Marxist. He nationalized the mining industries, and a worldwide fall in the price of copper resulted in 20% unemployment and widespread dissatisfaction. Almost identical to what's happened in Venezuela.
Dalleck's book, Nixon and Kissinger, gives the evidence. We did not interfere in Chile militarily. Kolby, the chief of the CIA, testified under oath we never gave military support to the coup. We supported the opposition to Allende financially and shared intelligence with the military, because they pledged to return democracy to Chile.
Nixon was aware 14 hours before the coup. We did not notify the government of Chile because Nixon felt we should not interfere in Chile's internal affairs. Critics could say we should have, but knowing Marxists the perpetrators would have been tortured and murdered without trial. We did not support a coup against Chavez and in retrospect perhaps we should have?
Marxists never leave power willingly, but military coups do. No one knows if Allende would have left power or to what extent Cuba would have infiltrated Chile like in Venezuela but Chile today is a thriving democracy. Venezuela and Nicaragua are not and somehow their economic disasters are our fault.
Maduro is the coup. The democracy is the opposition. What happened in Chile supports supporting Guaido.
4
The British nationalized all their industries in the late 1940’s and we didn’t stage a CIA coup to get rid of the Labour government.
5
@jkemp The USSR’s Marxists left power willingly. You forgot that one!
1
@Rich
We didn't stage the coup in Chile either. The Chilean military did and although we knew about it in advance we didn't interfere because Nixon and Kissinger felt it was an internal Chilean matter. Not supporting the democratically elected Venezuelan government of Guiado would be the equivalent of supporting the coup in Chile in 1973.
In other words, saying we should learn our lesson from the coup that deposed Allende would mean we should interfere in Venezuela in order to support the democratically elected government of Guiado.
Furthermore, there can be no argument about what Nixon did or didn't do or what he supported or did not support because all of his conversations were taped.
1
My grandma, Katy Boyle arrived in Brooklyn in 1917 with her husband and ten children. Two years later she had saved enough money to buy a run down house on 22nd street in Brooklyn. She had a way of keeping her home, inside and out, clean and beautiful, my mother told me on many occasions.
Mr. O'Brien was a case in point. He never covered his garbage, and his front yard was always full of rats and mangy cats scrounging for the garbage. One day she "just happened" to be passing his house and saw old man O'Brien. "Mr O'Brien" she said. "There's a wonderful sale on garbage can covers down the street. I'll go with you and we'll get one, and you'll have no more problems with these dirty rats. By the way, would you like a nice cup of Irish tea"? From then on they were good friends, and his garbage stayed inside the garbage can.
Many years later I asked her what her secret was. Smiling at me, she said: "Sure and you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." I've never forgotten what my grandma said. If she were still alive, she could teach Donald a lesson in diplomacy that he needs dearly. And then she would ask him if he wanted "a nice cup of Irish tea."
8
The President wants to have absolute border control but wants another sovereign country to give up their security. Russia needs to send some warships if requested by Venezuela. If the world caves into Trump he can do it to anyone not named Russia.
4
Why are we involving ourselves in the internal political situation in Venezuela? I understand that the government is corrupt and mismanaging for its people, but I don't understand what that has to do with us? Why are we so busy bothering there? What's the point?
10
@Patrick Stevens Trump's strategy should be obvious. He is forcing the failure of socialism to the front of everyone's minds for the 2020 election cycle just as the Democratic Party is drifting ever more leftward.
8
@Jack
SUVs in Minnesota get crummy gas mileage. Minnesota is car centric. You can't survive without a car. Oil is fungible. Since OPEC and the oil schocks of the 1970s the US has been subject to a huge outflow of capital to the mideast which has slowed down temporarily. Without cheap energy the US is doomed to spiral down and be unable to take care of the masses of Latin Americans who represent out demographic future. Trump is not going to make American white again. That horse left the barn long ago. The US will be and is a Latin American country with a unique government.
POTUS' belligerence sparked my memory of Sinclair Lewis' It Can Happen Here, in which a fictional American dictator starts a war with Mexico to consolidate his grip on power.
Our POTUS' rant against socialism in Venezuela is part of his domestic political agenda, so this may be simply hot air. I certainly hope that we Americans may not be drawn into military action in South America.
33
The USA sending “aid” to a country they already impose sanctions. The bridge they are trying to send it over has not been opened and was already blocked, It’s a propaganda media stunt. Don’t be fooled.
31
Trump said he would not let the U.S. get involved in foolish wars in the Mideast. The Caribbean is another matter, of course. It looks like Trump is drawing his own red line (Feb. 23), as Obama did in Syria. How did that work out?
U.S. involvement could be the kiss of death for the Venezuelan opposition. And if humanitarian aid somehow moves across the “porous border,” won’t Trump use the success of that mission as proof that nations need walls to maintain their sovereignty?
What irony that will be! To hear Trump defending a wall because it would have helped a tyrant maintain his tyranny!
8
The new shiny toy to distract from Mueller and the chaos that is the Trump presidency. Tells me they are beginning to admit to themselves that between Mueller and a democratic congress what's eventually going to come out will be conclusive and damming and that probably does not include the financial crimes that will slowly emerge from the southern district and congress.
13
How hypocritical of Trump and his cohorts to lambaste Venezuela’s opposition to allowing the charade of “humanitarian” aid to enter.
All the while United States Government has aided and abetted Israel’s refusal and violent opposition to allow true humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
Anybody with half a brain can see that what Trump is doing has nothing to do with caring about downtrodden people.
60
@Eduardo Why in every article in the Times do we see comments inaccurately comparing the situation in Israel to another situation? Humanitarian aide does get to the Palestinians, with billions of dollars spent on them through the U.N. every year. But certain items, like concrete, are embargoed because Hamas and other Palestinian groups use it to create tunnels into Israel to commit terrorist acts against Israeli civilians. These groups would like to kill every single Israeli and wipe Israel off the map--this is in Hamas's charter and supported by the actions of many Palestinians. Are the poor Venezuelans trying to annihilate another group of people? I don't think so.
2
@Bynda besides my comparison is relevant to the topic
1
@Bynda Hello Well let’s see You must know that 1948 the indigenous Palestinians Lost their land and homes to the new state of business they were violently pushed out and given the right of return so it is with good reason that there is a resistance to the usurpation and continued Brutal occupation by Israel not only in Gaza whereby almost all accounts is nothing short of an open air prison and the West Bank where marauding settlers that can best be described as Jewish Klansman kill and maim destroy Palestinians on a daily basis as well as forcibly drive them from their homes
Almost entire world recognizes this reality don’t take my words go there go on the Palestinian side almost the entire world recognizes this reality don’t take my word for it go there go on the Palestinian side and see for yourself but to answer your question I think that the media is deathly afraid of being blacklisted as anti-Semites - somehow Israel and other Zionist managed to conflate antisemitism with Judaism - should it call Israel to task
The Israeli Hasbara ( propaganda) has served to obscure and redefine historical accuracy as to the genesis of Israel and its present actions
It’s important to make people aware that Israeli narrative never mentions victimizing Palestinians
I pride myself on being on the side of justice even if it means going against my own “kind”
Oh and by the way there was no concrete on the Mavi Marmara
Marco Rubio, along with the entire congressional delegation from Florida of Cuban descent along with Senator Menendez from NJ, being personally biased and interested against Cuba, are salivating at the prospects of this regime change in Venezuela.
Their humanitarian concerns for the people of Venezuelan should be highly suspect.
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Let this third world mess of a country work it out themselves.
Bring the aid back to needy Americans!
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You know better than that. Americans don't help other Americans unless there is some sort of disaster that cripples Americans entertainment sources. This country was founded on hating others.
Trump and his administration are making the right move by trying to remove the corrupt Maduro regime and help the Venezuelan people. I don't feel that he is doing this just as a political move to get votes in Florida. Isn't it obvious that Maduro has ruined what was once a fairly wealthy nation? I'm sure that the people suffering in Venezuela appreciate what he is trying to do.
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DJT does nothing that will not benefit HIM - witness he does not do anything about Israel’s treatment of the Palestine’s.
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@Chris
Which American state, territory or possession is named Venezuela?
After the hurricanes Trump was tossing rolls of paper towels to Puerto Rican Americans in Puerto Rico. And 3000 Puerto Ricans died.
Trump was in Puerto Rico along with the Third Lady and First Mannequin. Trump did a rerun with her in Florida for Venezuelans.
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@Chris
And Putin was "making the right move" by helping keep Clinton out of the White House. What part of foreign intervention is a good idea?
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The fact that two Latin American area specialists think the US aid gambit is not a good idea reminds me of how Middle Eastern experts said toppling Sadam Hussein was a bad idea. Foreign policy based on ignorance and wishful thinking about how the Venezuelan police and people will respond is likely to fail. We would benefit from more input about the social and political history of regions we want to influence.
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@Sherry - Given what has happened in the region since Sadam Hussein was overthrown maybe is was not such a good idea. Another botched US intervention.....?
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@Sherry
Maybe our best way to influence would be by being a better example.
At present, the US is simply, the best democracy money can buy.
And because money can't buy a vibrant democracy, US democracy is mediocre.
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@Charles H....The US should completely disentangle from the rest of the world and let you folks solve your own problems. No more botched interventions. Say "Hi" to your new BFFs from Beijing.
How about he stops interfering with the affairs of a foreign government
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When Trump got elected I turned to my son and said 'Sometime during this term we will invade Venezuela.' I told him it would probably happen in the 3 or 4th year so that we'd be involved with a new war before the next election since we all know that it's tough to beat an incumbent president duruing 'war time.'
Of course I am hope I am wrong but it seems more likely every day.
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@Enrico Palazzo
"... probably happen in the 3 or 4th year …"
Hate to say it, but I believe you are correct for at least 2 reasons:
1) individual-1 needs a war (best form of distraction known to mankind).
2) 2003 (ie 3rd year) invasion of Iraq truly worked magic for Bush/Cheney
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When you think things can't go any worse.. Just add a dash of Donald..
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Maduro's goverment may be inept.
But most citizens of any country just hate interference in their internal affairs.
Meddling so forcefully into Venezuela affairs will just coalesce the people against this foreign intervention.
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@Max Lewy
Who does Donald Trump think he is hacking and meddling in Venezuelan elections and politics?
Benjamin Netanyahu? Vladimir Putin?
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So many Americans could use food and medicine aid. The administrations response to them? Cut Food Stamps and access to Medicaid! And why don't these articles bother to mention that the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is fueled by American sanctions???
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@Mr. K.
And how many members of Congress does Puerto Rico have?
And what and where is the Puerto Rico Lobby?
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I do understand the wariness of the Venezuelan authorities about letting the convoys in.
It wouldn't be the first time that the American intelligence agencies smuggled arms under the disguise of humanitarian aid.
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There is very little doubt that Maduro is a dictator committing genocide with the help of Cuba's militias and Colombian terrorist groups (FARC and ELN) with funds coming from oil and drug trafficking.
However, I do not need to be Venezuelan (who I am) to see the political motives in Trump's support to a very just democratic cause. Trump, who probably cannot place Venezuela in a map, use his speech in FIU to attack Democrats and label the New Green Deal and health for all as a first step to end up like Venezuela. 2020 campaigning.
Trump's premise, that Venezuela and Cuba are socialists countries, is wrong. They are communist dictatorships. The president did not use the word communism because he wants to demonize socialism and his opposition in the House.
Trump should also take into account that this can be his Bay of Pigs. If his support for Venezuela does not end in ousting Maduro, Trump will have the Venezuelan community voting Democrat for generations as well as the Cuban-Americans have been voting Republican for 50 years.
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Considering Trump's denigration of Latin American immigrants and refugees with their "caravans of murderers, rapists and gang members invading the U.S.," it's rather surprising that America would even have a dog in this fight.
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@European American
So true! We’re willing to go to all (so far undefined!) measures, when families with children have walked uncountable miles and are sitting on our doorstep.
This begs the question others ask... Distraction from Mueller? A war to keep an incumbent president in office? Rationalization as to why the US needs its own wall? The list goes on, take your pick.
But the legitimacy of the situation, questionable at best.
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@European American Venezuela is different because they have oil reserves. "There is method in his madness".
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Venezuela is a failed petro-state; cursed by oil, as they say.
Whatever the solution might be, it is a certainty that any American military action would make the situation vastly more difficult. Trump's veiled threats are singularly unhelpful as well, but we know those comments were made for US domestic consumption, not for the benefit of the Venezuelans.
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Anyone who believes Trump cares about the people of Venezuela is also likely to believe they can buy the Brooklynn Bridge. Trump cares about Florida in 2020 and its growing population of Venezuela. Maybe if Trump read more he would know Florida also has a growing population of American Citizens from Puerto Rico. They may not be able to vote in national elections on their island but they sure can when they land in Florida. Puerto Ricans should be very happy knowing Trump may take funds from emergency funds to be his wall to nowhere.
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What does humanitarian aid have to do with politics? Why are Venezuelans cheering for Trump who does not care if the people suffer? Marco Rubio? Oh, photo op.
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How about offering Asylum to all Venezuelans? How about demanding a referendum in Venezuela as to whether the majority of Venezuelans would be willing to join the USA and assume US citizenship and US laws and government? Many surveys have already given us the answer. The problem in Venezuela is the light skinned oligarchy that has dominated the country since the Spanish colonization. At least we are dealing with it in the US which is, practically speaking, a minority majority country now. It would be a win for everyone and it would free the US from dependence on the Mideast oil sheiks. Fracking is a short term high cost solution. The US was built on and thrived on cheap energy. The US started to lose its economic promise after the oil shocks of the 1970s. And I am a minority of color who welcomes the demographic change in the US. But minorities have economic needs and the vast resources south of the border should be put to that use as well as opposed to being monopolized by a small number of oligarchs with lilly pads in Paris or Miami.
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Can Trump see what happens when a nation builds a wall between it and its neighbors ?
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