The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Via Zerohedge…
After embattled Venezuelan dictator ignored an ultimatum to either call for Democratic elections or face even more calls for him to step down, four western European democracies – the UK, Spain, Germany and France – have officially recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s legitimate democratically-elected leader, according to CNN.
Jeremy Hunt on Twitter: “Nicolas Maduro has not called Presidential elections within 8 day limit we have set. So UK alongside European allies now recognises @jguaido as interim constitutional president until credible elections can be held. Let’s hope this takes us closer to ending humanitarian crisis / Twitter”
Nicolas Maduro has not called Presidential elections within 8 day limit we have set. So UK alongside European allies now recognises @jguaido as interim constitutional president until credible elections can be held. Let’s hope this takes us closer to ending humanitarian crisis
European nations had warned last week that if Maduro didn’t call for fresh elections by the end of Sunday, they would officially recognize Guaido as the legitimate leader of the country.
On Sunday, Maduro refused to bend to the pressure, saying he doesn’t “accept ultimatums from anyone,” and accusing the European countries of propagating an “imperialist” mindset, CNN reported.
“We don’t accept ultimatums from anyone,” Maduro said in an interview with Spanish private channel LaSexta on Sunday. “It’s as if I went to the EU and said, ‘I give you seven days to recognize the republic of Catalonia or if not, we will take measures.’ No, no. International politics cannot base itself on ultimatums. That is the epoch of imperialism or colonies.”
He went on to rebut the EU’s attempts to decide the fate of politics in Venezuela. And he once again denied that Venezuela is struggling with a humanitarian crisis.
“Why does the European Union tell a country in the world that already had presidential elections in accordance to its constitution, its laws, its institutions, with the international observers, that they have to repeat their presidential elections? Why? Because their right allies in Venezuela didn’t win,” he said.
[…]
“Venezuela does not have a humanitarian crisis. Venezuela has a political crisis. Venezuela has an economic crisis. We have a huge economic war!”
Meanwhile, Guaido laid out the three steps to his road map to rescuing Venezuela from its economic collapse:
- Create a coalition of national and international interests to facilitate humanitarian aid to three collection points
- Demand the military permit aid into the country
- Ask Europe to protect Venezuela’s assets abroad
He said over the weekend that humanitarian aid bound for Venezuela would be sent to collection points in Cucuta, Colombia, Brazil and a Caribbean island that wasn’t named.
This comes after Guaido laid out steps for reviving Venezuela and stanching the humanitarian crisis that the Maduro regime has refused to acknowledge.
But while losing the support of Europe isn’t a regime-threatening blow (though these countries could seize Venezuelan state assets and turn them over the Guaido), Maduro would be facing a much bigger problem if Guaido successfully convinces China to switch allegiances over to him.
Commenting on whether he plans to allow Venezuela to be part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, Guaido said he would improve the relationship with Beijing to stimulate the Venezuelan economy, which has been plagued by hyperinflation and a collapse of investors’ confidence.
But will it be enough to win over China, which has aggressively backed Maduro after investing billions of dollars in his regime via money-for-oil deals?
And if China turns against Maduro, whom the Communist Party views as an ideological ally, will Russia follow suit?
As a reminder, here’s a quick rundown of which countries support Maduro, and which back Guaido (though we can now move these four European countries into the Guaido column).
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
TELESUR:
Venezuela celebrates the 27th Anniversary of the “Day of National Dignity” in the country. The article (in Spanish) tells about Venezuela’s history since 1992, when President Hugo Chavez came into power.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/venezolanos-conmemoran-dia-dignidad-nacional–20190202-0013.html
TELESUR:
President Nicolas Maduro issues 5 new decrees to protect the Venezuelan people. The article explains (in Spanish) what these five decrees are all about.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/Presidente-Maduro-anuncia-reforma-a-la-Ley-del-Impuesto-Sobre-la-renta-20151230-0042.html
TELESUR:
Venezuela honours the historical figure of Ezequiel Zamora who fought hard for the equality of all Venezuelan citizens. He was on the side of the campesinos, the poor farm workers, against the rich land owners who exploited them.
General Ezequiel Zamora (1817-1860) took part in the Federal War (1859-1863). He died during this war from a shot to his head.
Ezequiel Zamora fought for more social justice in Venezuela.
In 2001, a new land reform programme under President Hugo Chávez, Mission Zamora, was named after Ezequiel Zamora.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/Quien-es-Ezequiel-Zamora-y-por-que-Venezuela-le-rinde-honor-20170131-0026.html
TELESUR:
Bolivia ane Mexico take part in the international conference for peace in Venezuela which is taking place in Montevideo, Uruguay.
https://www.telesurtv.net/news/bolivia-mexico-conferencia-internacional-uruguay-venezuela-20190204-0002.html
As shown in this article, the United States seems unable to learn from its mistakes of the past in South America:
https://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2019/01/john-bolton-venezuela-and-how.html
Sadly, Venezuela is doomed to be yet another prime example of America’s nation rebuilding experiments.
I agree with your first statement but not with the second. I believe that Venezuela is not doomed to be yet another prime example of the US trying out their nation rebuilding experiments. Venezuela has withstood such experiments since 1992, when President Hugo Chavez came to power, and it will continue withstanding all US experiments under President Maduro.
But Maduro isn’t the same caliber as Chavez was. Maduro is incapable – but it should be up to Venezuelans, and Venezuelans alone, to decide.
Maduro is tougher than Chavez, he has got more stubbornness and staying power. Also his wife Cilia Flores stabilizes him. She is a lawyer and a former President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, a very smart woman.
They did decide! They elected Maduro and they certainly did not vote for the US puppet, Guaido.
Know it all Uncle Sam doesn’t want to learn…not today and not tomorrow.
I have a hard time believing that China would trust what is a de-facto US-proxy synthetic politician when he says that he would strengthen Venezuela’s relationship with a country that the current US administration is trying to contain with any means necessary. I don’t think the Chinese are that naive. Actually, I don’t think they are naive at all.
CHINA DAILY:
China opposes foreign intimidation of Venezuela
Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said that China opposes foreign interference in Venezuela’s affairs.
He expressed support for the government’s efforts to uphold national sovereignty.
He called on all relevant parties to respect the choice of Venezuela’s people and reiterated, “China does not interfere in other countries’ affairs.”
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201901/28/WS5c4f252ba3106c65c34e6eda.html
TASS:
Kremlin stresses only Venezuelans themselves can find way out of crisis
Moscow has labeled the attempts by other countries to legitimize the usurpation of power in Venezuela as meddling into the country’s internal affairs
“Any solution to the internal political crisis in Venezuela is possible only by Venezuelans themselves,” the Kremlin spokesman stressed.
“Imposing any solutions or efforts aimed at legitimizing the attempt of usurping power is, in our view, just direct and indirect meddling in Venezuela’s internal affairs,” Peskov said.
More:
http://tass.com/politics/1043139
Recognized Guaido on whose orders? Washington’s? Guaido has been trained by right-wing groups (supported by the US)to specialize in violence. Too bad the MSM doesn’t think it is worth scrutinizing Guaido from up close. But then…the MSM is incapable of thinking ‘outside the box’.
Teresa May – if it’s good enough for Vezeuela it’s good enough for the British People!. I now declare myself interim Prime Minister of The United Kingdom and call on the EU and USA to recognise this declaration!. Teresa May – you regime has to get out of the Way!.
Normski!.
Viva Norm! (Send payment to C.I, Jersey, Account# 409257068-999yrt)#)&%0u0lsjdflj;37894765)
People of the UK – get behind Normski1! – I will not let you down. You deserve better than the idiots we have in parliament at the moment!. People who understand law, economics, what it’s like to try and keep all the financial balls in the air at the same time – what it’s like to live in the real world!. People of the UK – get people in politics that know the real world and who care about You!.