Trump says U.S. military intervention in Venezuela 'an option,' Russia objects

[webfact]

Trump says U.S. military intervention in Venezuela 'an option,' Russia objects

By Brian Ellsworth

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting to "discuss fighting human trafficking on the southern border" in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 1, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said military intervention in Venezuela was "an option" as Western nations boost pressure on socialist leader Nicolas Maduro to step down, while the troubled OPEC nation's ally Russia warned against "destructive meddling."

 

The United States, Canada and several Latin American countries have disavowed Maduro over his disputed re-election last year and recognized self-proclaimed President Juan Guaido as the country's rightful leader.

 

In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Trump said U.S. military intervention was under consideration.

 

"Certainly, it's something that's on the - it's an option," Trump said, adding that Maduro requested a meeting months ago.

 

"I've turned it down because we're very far along in the process," he said in a CBS "Face the Nation" interview. "So, I think the process is playing out."

 

The Trump administration last week issued crippling sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA [PDVSA.UL], a key source of revenue for the country suffering medicine shortages and malnutrition.

 

Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse and the exodus of millions of Venezuelans, still maintains the powerful backing of Russia, China and Turkey, and the critical support of the military.

 

Russia, a major creditor to Venezuela in recent years, quickly urged restraint.

 

"The international community's goal should be to help (Venezuela), without destructive meddling from beyond its borders," Alexander Shchetinin, head of the Latin America department at Russia's Foreign Ministry, told Interfax.

 

France and Austria said they would recognize Guaido if Maduro did not respond to the European Union's call for a free and fair presidential election by Sunday night.

 

Guaido allies plan to take a large quantity of food and medicine donated by the United States, multilateral organizations and non-profit groups across the Colombian border into the Venezuelan state of Tachira this week, according to a person directly involved in the effort.

 

The group has not yet determined which border point they will cross, said the person, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the issue.

 

It is unclear whether Maduro's government, which denies the country is suffering a humanitarian crisis, will let any foreign aid through.

 

MILITARY IN FOCUS

 

Maduro on state television promised peace for the country without specifically responding to Trump. Tens of thousands of people thronged the streets of various Venezuelan cities on Saturday to protest Maduro's government.

 

"In Venezuela, there will be peace, and we will guarantee this peace with the civil military union," he said in the company of khaki and black-clad soldiers who were earlier shown carrying guns and jumping from helicopters into the sea.

 

Venezuela's ambassador to Iraq, Jonathan Velasco, became the latest official to recognize opposition leader Guaido this weekend. Air Force General Francisco Yanez in a video also called on members of the military to defect but there were no signs the armed forces were turning against Maduro.

 

Venezuela has as many as 2,000 generals, according to unofficial estimates, many of whom do not command troops and whose defection would not necessarily weaken the ruling socialists.

 

The police have also fallen in line with Maduro.

 

A special forces unit called FAES led home raids following unrest associated with opposition protests in January, killing as many as 10 people in a single operation in a hillside slum of Caracas.

 

(Reporting by Brian Ellsworth; Additional reporting by Lucia Mutikani and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-04

[sirineou]

These are negotiating techniques ,"turning the screw" inept IMO. you don't think the walrus wrote "5000 troops to columbia" on a legal pad and held it to his chest at a press conference by coincidence? 

[canopus1969]

Russia warned against "destructive meddling."

 

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black - Err what about Syria  ????

[Scott]

Troll post removed.  

[DM07]

49 minutes ago, Longcut said:

Aaaaah!

Socialism...the old chestnut!

Never get's old, does it?!

 

[Topdoc]

Chávez managed the economy thinking the high oil price ($100+ per barrel) was here to stay. After 2014 the oil price slumped causing havoc to the oil leveraged Venezuelan economy. This is the primary reason for the economic mayhem in Venezuela. You can't blame Maduro or socialism and the US have no right to interfere.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

black-clad soldiers who were earlier shown carrying guns and jumping from helicopters into the sea

That's gonna scare the hell out of everybody!

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Russia warned against "destructive meddling."

 

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black - Err what about Syria  ????

The point is that Trump's "meddling" with threat of military intervention for undemocratic regime change gives Russia a moral and democratic (wha!!!) high ground as well as legitimizing Russia's intervention in Crimea and Georgia. 

With regard to Syria, Russia supported a legitimate government, has a naval base in Syria and was invited by that government to conduct military action in cooperation with the Syria Army within its borders against "terrorists."

[quandow]

CIA has been meddling in Venezuelan politics for decades. This is nothing new. Read this and weep:

http://library.aceondo.net/ebooks/HISTORY/The_Secret_History_of_the_American_Empire__Economic_Hit_Men__Jackals_and_the_Trut_20121130215629631.pdf

[Thailand]

This would be Trump's war, probably what he is after.

[simtemple]

2 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Russia warned against "destructive meddling."

 

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black - Err what about Syria  ????

The legitimate government of Syria invited Russia and Iran to assist  them to defeat US backed terrorists ISIS & Al Queda. Do you believe  everything American & British MSM tell you? Wake up! Russia and Iran saw what American and British thieves did to Iraq and Libya. The same thieves have been attempting to steal Venezuelan gold and oil since the Drug Running, Hitler Backing Bush family last held the White house

[tonbridgebrit]

Go on, Washington, do it.

Send the soldiers into Venezuela. Give us proof that a bunch of nutcases really have taken over the White House. Do it. All I say is, is that I don't want to see British soldiers in Venezuela.

[atyclb]

2 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Chávez managed the economy thinking the high oil price ($100+ per barrel) was here to stay. After 2014 the oil price slumped causing havoc to the oil leveraged Venezuelan economy. This is the primary reason for the economic mayhem in Venezuela. You can't blame Maduro or socialism and the US have no right to interfere.

 

saudi arabia was also hit by slumping oil prices but you dont see long lines to buy basic food nor many other other problems to the extent like those crushing venezuela

[Berkshire]

5 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Chávez managed the economy thinking the high oil price ($100+ per barrel) was here to stay. After 2014 the oil price slumped causing havoc to the oil leveraged Venezuelan economy. This is the primary reason for the economic mayhem in Venezuela. You can't blame Maduro or socialism and the US have no right to interfere.

Agree regarding the price of oil being a major factor, but Maduro is not blameless.  Chavez was already putting the country into debt even with sky-high oil prices.  When oil prices tanked, the economy went into a tailspin.  Maduro hasn't helped the situation as he and his cronies have been siphoning funds from the country through massive corruption. 

 

As for US involvement, I'm still uncertain about that.  America has not been very good at installing puppet governments (which is essentially what this will be).  The fact that Trump and Pence have been supporting Guaido means any opposition leader will always label him a puppet of America.  And Maduro isn't wrong when he compares Venezuela to Vietnam.  China and Russia have substantial investments/ties with the current government and won't be standing idly by if the US intervenes.  

 

In this time of major uncertainty, I sure do wish we had an adult in the WH who can look at all the angles and make the right decisions.  I can't say I trust Trump even a little bit.    

 

Edited February 4, 2019 by Berkshire

[Jack100]

5 hours ago, simtemple said:

The legitimate government of Syria invited Russia and Iran to assist  them to defeat US backed terrorists ISIS & Al Queda. Do you believe  everything American & British MSM tell you? Wake up! Russia and Iran saw what American and British thieves did to Iraq and Libya. The same thieves have been attempting to steal Venezuelan gold and oil since the Drug Running, Hitler Backing Bush family last held the White house

sim maybe I am missing something but regardless of who runs the show , oil is paid for on the world market .

Perhaps  you would like to give us an example of  oil being stolen by the US and British thieves , presumable you mean Exxon and BP ?

There are , of course , many examples of the Govts  60%+ share of the oil being squandered and stolen instead of being used to develop the country . Nigeria comes  to mind .

[Scott]

Post and replies violating Fair Use Policy have been removed.  

 

[RocketDog]

On 2/4/2019 at 10:36 AM, klauskunkel said:

black-clad soldiers who were earlier shown carrying guns and jumping from helicopters into the sea

Hopefully the helicopters were far from land and the guns weren't too heavy. 

 

 

I imagine that more than one of them had a moment of self doubt on the way down. 

[Solinvictus]

On 2/4/2019 at 11:29 AM, simtemple said:

The legitimate government of Syria invited Russia and Iran to assist  them to defeat US backed terrorists ISIS & Al Queda. Do you believe  everything American & British MSM tell you? Wake up! Russia and Iran saw what American and British thieves did to Iraq and Libya. The same thieves have been attempting to steal Venezuelan gold and oil since the Drug Running, Hitler Backing Bush family last held the White house

Your correct , and I definitely

agree.

On 2/4/2019 at 5:24 PM, Jack100 said:

sim maybe I am missing something but regardless of who runs the show , oil is paid for on the world market .

Perhaps  you would like to give us an example of  oil being stolen by the US and British thieves , presumable you mean Exxon and BP ?

There are , of course , many examples of the Govts  60%+ share of the oil being squandered and stolen instead of being used to develop the country . Nigeria comes  to mind .

 

Who is able to control and sale the oil?  The winners...or those who control such resources. Am I missing something in your comment or do you not fully understand @simtemple's comment.

 

Do the respective governments of Exxon and BP not assist them in such endeavors of privatization?

 

 

[Solinvictus]

Pretty much anyone in support of any intervention the U.S. has been repeatedly involved in, not only Venezuela, are mouthpieces of the military's successful propaganda narratives.  They can be found right here all the way on ThaiVisa too!

 

 

[sirineou]

On 2/3/2019 at 6:27 PM, sirineou said:

These are negotiating techniques ,"turning the screw" inept IMO. you don't think the walrus wrote "5000 troops to columbia" on a legal pad and held it to his chest at a press conference by coincidence? 

By the way, if you lookup "Nasty Old Man" in the dictionary

You get this picture.