Our media and politicians are, more and more, sounding the war drums against Venezuela. All the buzzwords are in play, and repeated over and over again. What do you think the United States should do, if anything, about Venezuela?
As I understand it, Columbia and Brazil are preparing to intervene. They have been the recipients of the millions of starving refugees from the socialist paradise that was once the most prosperous country in Latin America. It only took a few years for the nation to go from paradise to hell. The current movement for "Medicare for All" could easily do the same thing here. At the moment, our military is standing by to support but not intervene.
I think that we should do everything we can to support the interim president except send troops. We should not be spending our blood and treasure around the globe.
As I understand it, however, he's not really an interim president. He is someone who the outside world wants to put in place of the elected president.
As I understand it, Chavez' and Manduro's socialist policies led to a severe economic crisis including an astronomical annual inflation rate of 1,300,000% in V. leading to mass emigration and shortages of all sorts despite its huge resources. Guaidó picked up public discontent and is trying to channel it into a change of government legitimated by new elections. Up until then he will be acting president. Small wonder that Putin as well as China and Iran are among Maduro's supporters.
No doubt, he's a bad guy. Should the United States be responsible for making sure that everyone around the globe has the kind of government that we approve of?
Only when it directly affects our security, @Ken Anderson. Cuba, Russia, China, and Iran have a presence in Venezuela, as well as a small contingent from Hezbollah. Dangerous neighbors to all of the Western Hemisphere. As I said above, it appears that Columbia and Brazil are most upset by the goings-on in V., and may handle it with some support from the U.S.
Update. Apparently we have sent a combat team to Colombia of about 3000 troops to support any action. It may be that the Colombians will use some of the trained refugees from Venezuela. A bit tricky as there are sizeable Cuba units there and Russia "mercenaries" as there are/were in Syria. I don't know how many troops China has there.
I was just reading tonight that we are indicting President Maduro and some of his officials for drug trafficking . Maybe this will be the end of his corrupt regime ? Here is a link with more information. https://www.latimes.com/politics/st...as-maduro-on-federal-drug-trafficking-charges
We need to stay our asses home and practice global distancing. If the Venezuelans get tired enough they will take care of the problem themselvs.
If it were just a situation of us interfering in the government of another country, I can definitely understand your perspective, @Peter Renfro . I see no good reason why the United States should be expected to come in and settle internal disputes of every country that is having problems with their government. In this case, at least at this time; that is NOT what is happening. Madero has been involved in drug-trafficking and shipped over 250 metric tons (that is a LOT !) of cocaine ...per year... to the United States. Drug trafficking to our country IS important to us to deal with, regardless of where the drugs are coming from. I didn’t see it so far (still looking) but usually drug trafficking and human trafficking go hand in hand, so I imagine that charges for that would be forthcoming once they have more information. Now, one of the generals under Maduro has turned himself in to the DEA, and is being transported to the United States. This general fled Venezuela in 2018 because he was against Maduro, and was involved in a plot to overthrow the government . Since he surrendered , and doesn’t like Maduro, I believe that we will get a lot of useful information from this general, and they will probably make some sort of deal with him for his testimony. The reward for his arrest was $10 million dollars, so just that shows how important it was to find this man. https://www.usnews.com/news/us/arti...leged-maduro-co-conspirator-is-in-dea-custody
Still does not warrant us putting our military at risk. Almost a century now we have been fighting drugs. We will not stop them with guns. Never have never will. We are not the police or the guardians of the world. We cannot pull another stunt like Panama. If Maduro is indicted, we need to do what is legal. That is to wait until he touches our soil,or request detention and extradition from a nation where we have such an agreement. That is all we can do legally.
Not elected.. or interim.. just a hopeful. Venezuela needs someone like him to get them away from economy and soul destroying red leaders like Maduro and that nutter before him. As for whether America needs to step in..NO.. as the Ruskies have a decent presence there and that can only lead to discontent and possible conflict.