A blockade is an act of war and could serve as cassis belli.
Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
A blockade is an act of war and could serve as cassis belli.
Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.
Everyone can calm down. I assure you Russia is not going to war with the United States over Venezuela. Just as you can rest assured the United States is not going to war with Russia over Ukraine.
In both cases power will be ceded to the appropriate power after sufficient face saving threats are made.
"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining"----Fletcher in The Outlaw Josey Wales
MisterVeritis (01-24-2019)
I bet there is a quick reaction force somewhere nearby that can be wheels up in under two hours with boots on the ground in under four hours. I would expect follow-on forces of up to a brigade strength in 12 additional hours.
Call your state legislators and insist they approve the Article V convention of States to propose amendments.
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution as written and understood by this nation's founders, and to the Republic it created, an indivisible union of sovereign States, with liberty and justice for all.
Peter1469 (01-24-2019)
The coup leader and his military probably has guaranteed the safety of US citizens there. No US military needed so far. If Maduro's comrades take up arms it will change my opinion.
" I'm old-fashioned. I like two sexes! And another thing, all of a sudden I don't like being married to what is known as a 'new woman'. I want a wife, not a competitor. Competitor! Competitor!" - Spencer Tracy in 'Adam's Rib' (1949)
Art thou every retard among us related to thine uncle or mistress by way of moral or illegitimate rendezvous? Thus, we are one side of the other's coin by luck or pluck. - Jimmyz
Call your state legislators and insist they approve the Article V convention of States to propose amendments.
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution as written and understood by this nation's founders, and to the Republic it created, an indivisible union of sovereign States, with liberty and justice for all.
US faces tough choices as it weighs next moves on Venezuela
Opinion piece on the Venezuelan problem.
President Donald Trump says “all options are on the table” as the U.S. seeks to push Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power. But the reality is much more complicated.
The U.S. still has tools to apply pressure on Maduro, even after years of tough rhetoric and increasing sanctions. But further targeted measures may do little to hurt the already-reeling South American country, and a major step like halting Venezuelan oil imports could damage the American economy. The most extreme step, direct military action, appears not to be under consideration, at least for now.
The U.S. and other nations on Wednesday took the highly unusual step of recognizing Juan Guaido, the opposition head of the National Assembly, as the interim president of Venezuela. Maduro, elected last year in a vote widely seen as fraudulent, still controls the military and security services and has support among at least a portion of the public. He’s given no sign that he intends to step down.
On Thursday, 16 of the 34 nations in the Organization of American States recognized Guaido at an emergency session. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged members to oppose the “illegitimate” Maduro and pledged to make $20 million available for humanitarian assistance to the country.
***
For the time being, Guaido is asking the U.S. to continue helping prevent Maduro and his associates from transferring wealth outside the country, according to an administration official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the measure and spoke only on condition of anonymity.
National security adviser John Bolton said the Trump administration is focused on “disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the source of its revenues.” Those revenues should go to the legitimate government of Guaido, he said Thursday at the White House.
“It’s very complicated,” Bolton said. “We’re working really around the clock to do what we can to strengthen the new government.”
U.S. action will depend on what Maduro does next and whether the security forces respond violently to the opposition leader or his supporters, said Jason Marczak, director of the Atlantic Council’s Latin America center.
ΜOΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Another country that poses zero threat to America being prepared for an illegal and disastrous "regime change" operation.
The presumption by the Trump administration that they have the authority to dictate who is and is not the legal president of another sovereign nation is breathtaking in its arrogance and hypocrisy.
The Trump administration has NO RIGHT to decide who the president of Venezuela is. The Trump administration's position is tantamount to a unilateral declaration of war by the executive branch.
And Trump's administration isn't even attempting to make a serious argument that Venezuela's government poses a real threat to America. They have simply declared that the Venezuelan government must go, and they have done this without the slightest consultation with or approval from the American people.
Trump clearly fancies himself a king.
Power always thinks it has a great soul, and vast views, beyond the comprehension of the weak. And that it is doing God service when it is violating all His laws.
--John Adams