Venezuela's Maduro says Trump administration wants to have him killed

[webfact]

Venezuela's Maduro says Trump administration wants to have him killed

 

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during the kick-off event for the international trading of Petro, the cryptocurrency developed by the Venezuelan government, in Caracas, Venezuela October 1, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - Socialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the Trump administration on Thursday of seeking to assassinate him, as relations strain between the ideologically opposed nations.

 

Asked about Maduro's comments, a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council said: "U.S. policy preference for a peaceful, orderly return to democracy in Venezuela remains unchanged."

 

Venezuela's opposition says Maduro lobs ludicrous accusations at enemies to deflect from his own incompetence.

 

Almost 2 million Venezuelans have fled the ailing oil-rich nation since 2015, driven out by brutal food and medicine shortages, hyperinflation, and violent crime.

 

Washington has imposed sanctions on Venezuela, denouncing Maduro as a dictator who has quashed human rights and triggered an economic meltdown.

 

The White House accused Maduro's government on Wednesday of involvement in the death of a jailed Venezuelan politician whom authorities say killed himself but whom opposition parties say was murdered.

 

Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, said in a televised broadcast on Thursday night the United States had asked the government in neighboring Colombia to kill him.

 

"They have given the order from the White House that Maduro be killed," said Maduro, flanked by workers. He vowed that "they will not even touch a single hair of mine."

 

Maduro did not give an explanation for his accusations and did not provide any evidence. Venezuela's Information Ministry did not respond to a request for further information.

 

Maduro contends that he is the victim of an "economic war" led by U.S.-backed adversaries. He denies limiting political freedoms, insisting that Washington-supported opposition leaders have plotted assassination attempts and sought to overthrow him through violent street protests.

 

(Reporting by Corina Pons; Additional reporting by Eric Beech in Washington; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Sandra Maler and Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-12

[canopus1969]

For once I agree with Trump    ????

[Bluespunk]

I think Maduro is confusing trump, for the citizens of Venezuela. 

[stevenl]

7 minutes ago, canopus1969 said:

For once I agree with Trump    ????

So you agree with assassinating leaders of countries because you don't agree with their politics?

[billd766]

The USA sticking its unwanted nose into other countries affairs once again. They didn't like the last President, Hugo Chavez either.

 

I was working in Caracas in 1992 and was caught up in the second revolution that year. The USA supported Perez when he was President until he was kicked out for corruption.

 

I liked what I saw of the country and I liked the people too.

[Jingthing]

16 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So you agree with assassinating leaders of countries because you don't agree with their politics?

You asked someone else, but in some EXTREME cases -- sure, why not? It's rational to argue that Maduro is an extreme case. 

 

Yes, I'm aware of the dirty history of U.S. imperialism in Latin America, but that still doesn't mean it's not possible for a leader to be so destructive that drastic measures might be the best answer.

Edited October 12, 2018 by Jingthing

[ezzra]

17 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So you agree with assassinating leaders of countries because you don't agree with their politics?

What assassination? well executed accidental death that will benefits millions of people who are on the brink of starvation and disaster, and if one ignorant person has to go before his time for the the betterment and good of millions than so be it...

Edited October 12, 2018 by ezzra

[Jingthing]

17 minutes ago, billd766 said:

The USA sticking its unwanted nose into other countries affairs once again. They didn't like the last President, Hugo Chavez either.

 

I was working in Caracas in 1992 and was caught up in the second revolution that year. The USA supported Perez when he was President until he was kicked out for corruption.

 

I liked what I saw of the country and I liked the people too.

Ancient history now. 

[stevenl]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You asked someone else, but in some EXTREME cases -- sure, why not? It's rational to argue that Maduro is an extreme case. 

And who decides the norms for that? You should know better.

[Jingthing]

Just now, stevenl said:

And who decides the norms for that? You should know better.

Common sense, dude. Maduro is a disaster. Wake up. 

[keith101]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

Venezuela's opposition says Maduro lobs ludicrous accusations at enemies to deflect from his own incompetence.

This is exactly what Trump does .

[Jingthing]

Just now, keith101 said:

This is exactly what Trump does .

Yeah, probably most politicians do similar to different degrees. But the topic isn't about "trump" it's about Maduro. 

It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the U.S. is working with forces to help eliminate Maduro. Would you? 

[canuckamuck]

I think the US is waiting until they totally bottom out. Then America will be the liberators and saviors. Helping them put a new system in place with US oversight for their own good. 

[RuamRudy]

1 minute ago, canuckamuck said:

I think the US is waiting until they totally bottom out. Then America will be the liberators and saviors. Helping them put a new system in place with US oversight for their own good. 

No doubt there will be a long list of US companies lined up to take over. 

[Jingthing]

Not that it matters, but I want to make it clear that I'm not actually confident offing Maduro is the best move. I think it's reasonable to consider it. But that would need to be done in the context of considering what happens after it's done. Such actions can easily make things even worse. 

[PatOngo]

I suggest they have a summit at the OK Corral.....shoot it out.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Jingthing]

If he is to be offed, it would be better if it was done by internal forces (or at least LOOK that way). 

[Just1Voice]

 A gallon of fresh milk, 3 loaves of fresh bread, 2 pounds of slice bologna, and a .45, and 80% of his own countrymen would take the contract. 

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, Just1Voice said:

 A gallon of fresh milk, 3 loaves of fresh bread, 2 pounds of slice bologna, and a .45, and 80% of his own countrymen would take the contract. 

Dancing in the streets comes to mind.

[bendejo]

Maduro blames US for the death of Chavez, I think it was the Castros but that's another story.

Chavez did not provide any sort of governmental mechanism for succession, and Maduro somehow happened.  I always thought he was an empty suit, sort of tragi-comically inept, like Assad. 

I read a few weeks ago that Maduro went to the UN to meet with DT, but never heard a follow-up, maybe I missed it.  If they did meet, I would not be surprised if DT proposed keeping up the celebrity b****-fight to generate attention and distraction, something they both use regularly.

 

 

[Jingthing]

They didn't meet. I doubt they ever will. (At least in this life, he he.)

[billd766]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

What assassination? well executed accidental death that will benefits millions of people who are on the brink of starvation and disaster, and if one ignorant person has to go before his time for the the betterment and good of millions than so be it...

I am sorry you feel that way about President Trump.

[klauskunkel]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 said Maduro, flanked by workers.

his human shields 

[canopus1969]

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

So you agree with assassinating leaders of countries because you don't agree with their politics?

Yes  

[Emdog]

Don't think you are special, Mr Maduro. Many people ahead of you on list, most are US citizens

[Tchooptip]

He must not be so far away from reality this brave man 

[IAMHERE]

The USA has a policy since Carter against political assassinations.  The average American doesn't much care what type of despot rules Venezuela. Except for the few that could make money there the American citizen doesn't care about Venezuela or its people, certainly not those that would vote for Trump.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

The USA has a policy since Carter against political assassinations.  The average American doesn't much care what type of despot rules Venezuela. Except for the few that could make money there the American citizen doesn't care about Venezuela or its people, certainly not those that would vote for Trump.

It's generally a good policy. But there might be exceptions. Maduro might be one of them. He has not only messed up his own country, the refugee crisis he has directly caused is a threat to all of Latin America. 

Edited October 12, 2018 by Jingthing