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[webfact]

Venezuela hit with new U.S. sanctions after clashes over food aid on border

By Roberta Rampton and Luis Jaime Acosta

 

A group of demonstrators takes part in a protest against the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler, as a meeting of the Lima Group takes place in Bogota, Colombia, February 25, 2019. The placards read "No to the war, we defend life". REUTERS/Carlos Julio Martinez

 

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The United States targeted Venezuela's government with new sanctions on Monday and called on allies to freeze the assets of its state-owned oil company PDVSA after deadly violence blocked humanitarian aid from reaching the country over the weekend.

 

As Colombia's foreign minister warned about "credible threats to the life" of Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido, the Trump administration also took its pressure campaign to the United Nations Security Council, asking it to discuss the situation in Venezuela, diplomats said.

 

The U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions were imposed on four Venezuelan state governors allied with the government of President Nicolas Maduro, blocking any assets they control in the United States.

 

The new sanctions were announced in Bogota as U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Guaido met with members of the Lima Group, a bloc of nations from Argentina to Canada dedicated to peaceful resolution of the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

 

Pence said the United States would stand by Guaido until freedom was restored. He called for all Lima Group nations to immediately freeze PDVSA's assets and to transfer ownership of Venezuelan assets in their countries from Maduro's "henchmen" to Guaido's government-in-waiting.

He also said tougher measures were coming against the OPEC member.

 

"In the days ahead ... the United States will announce even stronger sanctions on the regime's corrupt financial networks," Pence said. "We will work with all of you to find every last dollar that they stole and work to return it to Venezuela."

 

While the day presented a united regional front against Maduro, who is widely accused of coming to power through fraudulent elections, there was no clear sign that the latest measures would succeed in pushing him toward the exit.

 

'CREDIBLE THREATS'

On a day that began with Guaido urging "all options" to be considered to remove Maduro, the threat of military intervention seemed if anything weaker after the meeting.

 

Guaido, sitting next to Pence at the meeting, asked for a moment of silence for those killed in what he called the "massacre" of the weekend.

 

Guaido himself could be in danger from the Maduro regime, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said, speaking on behalf of the Lima Group.

 

"There's information about serious and credible threats to the life and integrity of Juan Guaido and his family, as well as to his wife's family. From Bogotá, we want to hold the usurper Maduro responsible for any violent action against Guaido, against his wife and against their relatives,"

At least three people were killed and almost 300 wounded during protests and clashes on Saturday as U.S.-backed aid convoys attempted to enter Venezuela to deliver food and medicine.

 

In a joint statement at the close of the meeting, the Lima Group said Maduro was a threat to peace and security in the region and called for his immediate exit, a democratic transition and free elections.

 

Guaido, recognised by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate leader, has urged the bloc to consider "all options" in ousting Maduro.

But the Lima Group said it "reiterates the conviction that the transition to democracy must be conducted by the Venezuelans themselves peacefully and within the framework of the Constitution and international law," the statement said.

 

CALL FOR AMNESTY

Pence repeated an earlier statement that there would be an amnesty for members of the armed forces who throw their support behind Guaido. He said he hoped Maduro and those supported by his "corruption and his brutality" will leave Venezuela peacefully.

 

"We make clear to them that we will support the interim president's call for amnesty, an inclusive government, an inclusive future for members of the armed forces, who have laid down their arms and stand with the Guaido government," Pence said.

 

Unlike the Lima Group, of which the United States is not a member, the Trump administration has so far declined to rule out the use of military force. But Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela Martinez denied there was any division in the group over the use of force.

 

Pence also called for Mexico and Uruguay, two-left leaning regional governments, to join most of the region's other powers in embracing Guaido as Venezuela's rightful president.

 

"We believe there can be no bystanders, no one on the sidelines of this, particularly in our hemisphere," Pence said.

 

Washington wants the 15-member U.N. Security Council to formally call for free, fair and credible presidential elections with international observers. Russia, which along with China has major investments in Venezuela's energy sector and back Maduro, proposed a rival draft resolution.

 

Soldiers and armed groups loyal to Maduro blocked a convoy of trucks with food and medicines during the weekend. Maduro says the aid efforts are part of a U.S.-orchestrated coup.

 

At least 167 members of Maduro's armed forces have deserted since Saturday and more are expected to flee across the border to Colombia.

 

In the Venezuelan town of San Antonio, near the border with Colombia, residents on Monday chafed at the continued border closure ordered by Maduro's government last week. Four people have been killed, 58 have suffered bullet wounds and at least 32 arrested since Friday, local rights group Penal Forum said.

 

Residents increasingly cross into the neighbouring country to work and buy basic goods that are unavailable in Venezuela, which has suffered years of hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. Illegal crossings over back roads known as "trochas" generally require paying tolls to low-level criminals who control them, known as "trocheros."

 

"We were hungry when before the border closed. Now it will be even worse," said Belkis Garcia, 34, walking with her husband along a trail that leads to Colombia. "We have to pay (to cross), so the little money we have for half the food is not enough. We don’t know what will happen if the border continues closed."

 

The Lima Group said it would ask the International Criminal Court to consider "the serious humanitarian situation in Venezuela, the criminal violence of Nicolas Maduro's regime against the civilian population, and the denial of access to international assistance."

 

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, Roberta Rampton, Helen Murphy and Julia Symmes Cobb; additional reporting by Mitra Taj in Lima, Aislinn Laing in Santiago, Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia, Mayela Armas and Anggy Polanco in Urena, and Shaylim Castro in Caracas; editing by Bill Trott and Grant McCool)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-26

[wayned]

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

At least 167 members of Maduro's armed forces have deserted since Saturday and more are expected to flee across the border to Colombia.

That's approximately 0.03% of the Army, not counting the Navy and the Air Force.  Iy's going to take a lot more than that and Maduro is backed by Russia and China.

[Lungstib]

Sounds to me like the US is stopping a government being able to do anything for the good of its citizens and then threatening war because the govt doesn't help its citizens. I am not a Maduro fan, much has gone wrong since he took over from Chavez but war and violence is not the answer. As for the; 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who many nations have recognized as the country's rightful interim ruler,

its worth noting that almost no African, Asia Pacific or Mid-East country has done this. Even Central, South America is split almost in half. It isn't how western influenced press organisations make it sound. Try looking at what the UN representative Alfred de Zayas said after his recent visit; 

"he told The Independent the US sanctions on the country are illegal and could amount to “crimes against humanity” under international law." 

That from a Cuban American!  

[OneMoreFarang]

When will the <deleted> USA and especially this moron president stop interfering in other countries.

He will possibly start a war because of his gut feeling and/or because fox news tells him so.

It's time that the rest of the world tells them to mind their own business.

 

The situation in Venezuela is obviously bad. Other countries should help them sort it out, if they are asked to do so.

[Cryingdick]

2 hours ago, wayned said:

That's approximately 0.03% of the Army, not counting the Navy and the Air Force.  Iy's going to take a lot more than that and Maduro is backed by Russia and China.

 

The Chinese and Russians can do nothing. They do not have aircraft carriers to stage jack squat.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Pence also called for Mexico and Uruguay, two-left leaning regional governments, to join most of the region's other powers in embracing Guaido as Venezuela's rightful president.

Mexico - sure, not a problem. Oh, about the new USMCA trade deal that hasn't yet been ratified by US Congress, we'd like to revisit some of the terms.

[high plane drifter]

american want to steel oil from Venezuela  ....

 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, high plane drifter said:

american want to steel oil from Venezuela  ....

 

Maduro propaganda. 

[Jingthing]

4 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Sounds to me like the US is stopping a government being able to do anything for the good of its citizens and then threatening war because the govt doesn't help its citizens. I am not a Maduro fan, much has gone wrong since he took over from Chavez but war and violence is not the answer. As for the; 

its worth noting that almost no African, Asia Pacific or Mid-East country has done this. Even Central, South America is split almost in half. It isn't how western influenced press organisations make it sound. Try looking at what the UN representative Alfred de Zayas said after his recent visit; 

"he told The Independent the US sanctions on the country are illegal and could amount to “crimes against humanity” under international law." 

That from a Cuban American!  

Incorrect.

Latin America is NOT split in half on this.

The majority of Latin American nations are supportive of the Lima group. 

[Jingthing]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When will the f*#$%# USA and especially this moron president stop interfering in other countries.

He will possibly start a war because of his gut feeling and/or because fox news tells him so.

It's time that the rest of the world tells them to mind their own business.

 

The situation in Venezuela is obviously bad. Other countries should help them sort it out, if they are asked to do so.

Indeed, forget the Yankee go home game for a moment --  this is much more about an international coalition of mostly decent pro democracy nations (much of Latin America as well) vs. monstrous dictator and his authoritarian allies from the lands of anti-democracy (China, Russia. etc.). 

[OneMoreFarang]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Indeed, forget the Yankee go home game for a moment --  this is much more about an international coalition of mostly decent pro democracy nations (much of Latin America as well) vs. monstrous dictator and his authoritarian allies from the lands of anti-democracy (China, Russia. etc.). 

I guess most of these "mostly decent pro democracy nations" will want to help the people in Venezuela. And is they are decent then they won't want to invade their neighbor. They want to help.

But the USA and Trump are definitely not in this "mostly decent pro democracy nations" group.

 

I think one big problem with news like this is always that it's very difficult to see from far away what is really happening.

It's like international news reporting about Thailand. Often it's wrong. And often they copy the wrong information from each other.

 

I hope the best for the people in Venezuela. But if you ask me: How should that happen? Who should lead them? I have to admit: I don't know. But interference from neighbors is definitely not a good idea. 

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Berkshire]

4 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

 

The Chinese and Russians can do nothing. They do not have aircraft carriers to stage jack squat.

Who needs carriers when the Russians have (or claim to have) hypersonic missiles that can reach the US inside five minutes....

 

[Russian state television has listed U.S. military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes.

The targets included the Pentagon and the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland.]

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-nuclear-russia/after-putins-warning-russian-tv-lists-nuclear-targets-in-us-idUSKCN1QE1DM

 

 

 

 

[Guest Jerry787]

fortunately the us coup d'etat with puppet guaido seem to have failed the fake humitarian guns and bombs and mercenaries where rejected, several video show Guaido supporters  burn the shipments with molotov bombs so means they try to blame Maduro .

lets hope the Venezuelan people may overpass this moment and US will step back as they did in Siria, Trump is on his last legs of power, try to grab oil and mineral from venezuela and creating a civil war where US companies will benefit in selling guns and mercenaries.

when us will stop to export they WAR democracy ? 

 

[Benmart]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When will the <deleted> USA and especially this moron president stop interfering in other countries.

He will possibly start a war because of his gut feeling and/or because fox news tells him so.

It's time that the rest of the world tells them to mind their own business.

 

The situation in Venezuela is obviously bad. Other countries should help them sort it out, if they are asked to do so.

If you are an American citizen, then perhaps your voice will be heard by contacting your elected representative in Congress.

 

Otherwise, you're just flapping your lips with ineffective, anti-US rhetoric.

 

As for the name calling, a good self, moral inventory works wonders. I do it regularly.

Edited February 26, 2019 by Benmart
add verbage

[tlandtday]

Let Venezuela handle their own problems the US or anyone else does not have the right to interfere.

[tlandtday]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When will the <deleted> USA and especially this moron president stop interfering in other countries.

He will possibly start a war because of his gut feeling and/or because fox news tells him so.

It's time that the rest of the world tells them to mind their own business.

 

The situation in Venezuela is obviously bad. Other countries should help them sort it out, if they are asked to do so.

They have no business there correct but every other President has done similar especially Obama with protracted wars all over the middle east.  Trump has actually advocated getting out of these wars but the deep state and military industrial complex had obviously convinced him otherwise.  Let's at least try to put things in proper context.

Edited February 26, 2019 by tlandtday

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

Let Venezuela handle their own problems the US or anyone else does not have the right to interfere.

Considering the situation there, I would say nations of good will actually have the moral obligation to help the Venezuelan people unseat their massively corrupt murderous dictator. How to do that exactly it's really hard to say. 

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

They have no business there correct but every other President has done similar especially Obama with protracted wars all over the middle east.  Trump has actually advocated getting out of these wars but the deep state and military industrial complex had obviously convinced him otherwise.  Let's at least try to put things in proper context.

Deep state, schmeep schmtate. 

This is a specific situation needing a specific solution and as it turns out the Venezualan people are powerless to change this without international support (also keeping in mind the murderous dictator Maduro has the support of Russia, China, Iran, etc.). 

Parroting illiberal branding mantras does not cut it. 

[Jingthing]

A case against military intervention.

I don't think anyone knows what will actually work (if anything), but yes, obviously military intervention carries great risks, but letting Maduro stay in power carries great risks as well.

 

Quote

 

A peaceful ploy against Venezuela failed. That doesn’t make force the answer.

VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION leaders and their international allies calculated that an attempt to push desperately needed humanitarian aid into the country on Saturday would trigger the final collapse of the country’s authoritarian regime. Sadly, their bet did not pay off. Security and paramilitary forces torched aid trucks and opened fire on opposition supporters — killing at least eight and wounding several hundred — even as President Nicolás Maduro danced on a stage in Caracas.

 

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/a-peaceful-ploy-against-venezuela-failed-that-doesnt-make-force-the-answer/2019/02/25/8cb641de-3923-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html

[Lungstib]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Considering the situation there, I would say nations of good will actually have the moral obligation to help the Venezuelan people unseat their massively corrupt murderous dictator. How to do that exactly it's really hard to say. 

Strike out Venezuela and write in North Korea and its perfect, and yet we have the heads of these countries meeting when the people of North Korea are in far worse emergency than those of Venezuela but Mr Trump tells us how nice their leader is and what good friends they are. Just how do we make sense of this?

And that meeting by the way is not in a socialist country but communist Vietnam. It just gets weirder by the day.

Edited February 26, 2019 by Lungstib
addition.

[Jingthing]

26 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Strike out Venezuela and write in North Korea and its perfect, and yet we have the heads of these countries meeting when the people of North Korea are in far worse emergency than those of Venezuela but Mr Trump tells us how nice their leader is and what good friends they are. Just how do we make sense of this?

And that meeting by the way is not in a socialist country but communist Vietnam. It just gets weirder by the day.

Yes, I hear you about the inconsistency but that's kind of par for the course in international matters.

Latin America in the USA's sphere of influence and millions of Venezuelans have already fled Maduro and are in the process of destabilizing much of the region. I'm not blaming the refugees at all.

I might agree with the Maduro propaganda about Yankee imperialism in this matter but in this case it really doesn't fit very well. It's way bigger than an internal matter already. The impetus for this has largely come from other Latin American nations. Then there is Canada. Not exactly much of a history of imperialism from Canada.

NK is not in the USA's sphere of influence. They are in China's. 

Edited February 26, 2019 by Jingthing

[ballpoint]