The misleading statements flowing from the Trump administration with respect to the crisis in Venezuela are truly appalling.
The pretext for their concern is the affronts by the current Maduro government against the human rights of the Venezuelan citizens. If so, where was the outrage over the mass execution and crucifixion of 37 people by Trump ally Saudi Arabia in recent weeks?
Although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed the U.S. will do anything to avoid violence, that doesn’t seem to include negotiation. And of course any misery inflicted by the corruption and incompetence of the Maduro regime, incidentally exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, will pale in comparison to the bloodbath that will ensue if the Trump administration succeeds in starting a civil war.
There is an upside of course. As Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton acknowledged, Venezuela’s oil reserves are the real motivation for the administration’s interest, and Trump will want all the cash he can get from the fossil fuel industry for is 2020 run.
Also, the humanitarian crisis that would result from civil war in Venezuela will create another wave of refugees, which will heighten the fear and paranoia among Trump supporters and take their minds off the fact that their wages are stagnant, their health care and retirement are being slashed, the opioid crisis rages unabated, and their schools, roads and bridges continue to decay.
Dave King
Amherst