Alex Christoforou
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.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s claim that Hezbollah is now “active in Venezuela”, and for this reason a US military intervention in the Latin American country is justified.
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Mike Pompeo Claims “active” Terror Cells In Venezuela by The Duran
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 79. The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s claim that Hezbollah is now “active in Venezuela”, and for this reason a US military intervention in the Latin American country is justified.
Via Zerohedge…
Two weeks ago, when remarking sarcastically about the upcoming “requirement” for a US military presence in or around Venezuela where the situation is increasingly looking like a replay of events in Syria pitting the US and “western powers” on one said and Russia and China (and Turkey) on the other, we said that it’s only a matter of time before ISIS made a dramatic appearance in Latin America.
zerohedge on Twitter: “Time for ISIS to make a dramatic appearance in Latin America / Twitter”
Time for ISIS to make a dramatic appearance in Latin America
We thought we were joking.
It turns out the joke was on us, because – in an apparent failure to come up with an even remotely original narrative for another imminent American intervention – US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday night that, drumroll, “Hezbollah has active cells in Venezuela.” Well, we were wrong about ISIS at least
Trish Regan on Twitter: “.@SecPompeo confirms to me exclusively that #Hezbollah is active in #venezuela – WATCH: pic.twitter.com/kQm37SIhep / Twitter”
@SecPompeo confirms to me exclusively that #Hezbollah is active in #venezuela – WATCH: pic.twitter.com/kQm37SIhep
As the Trump administration has continued to ratchet up pressure on the Latin American nation amid a crippling political and economic crisis, and hinted on several occasions that US troops would be deployed, Mike Pompeo told Fox Business that “people don’t recognize that Hezbollah has active cells” in the country, adding that “the Iranians are impacting the people of Venezuela and throughout South America. We have an obligation to take down that risk for America” he said, quoted by the Independent.
Sigh.
Ironically or not, when it comes to Hezbollah, which the US has long considered a terrorist organisation, sanctions on people in Venezuela linked to the Iranian-backed Lebanese group have been imposed as far back as the George W Bush administration, seemingly in anticipation for just such an event.
Washington also believes Latin America has served as a base of fund-gathering for the group for some years, including through drugs and money-laundering schemes, according to past reports and to justify said close link, the media notes that Venezuela’s former president Hugo Chavez formed tight links with Iran under Mahmoud Ahmedinejad’s leadership. Supposedly that is a sufficient and necessary condition to conclude that Maduro is now harboring terrorists, which in turn would require a US “peacekeeping” mission.
And just so the US population does not lose plot, later in his Fox interview, the former CIA director described Maduro as “evil” and insisted the US was intervening on behalf of ordinary Venezuelans who have suffered under his rule.
In other words, yet another “humantiarian” coup under US auspices.
“We should not permit a country in our hemisphere to treat its own people this way,” he said, despite Washington’s – and the CIA’s – dismal track record of fomenting government overhauls in the region. “American values – America’s, not only our interests but our values – are at stake here.”
It wasn’t clear just which values he was referring to.
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.
TASS reports:
Venezuela’s PDVSA shifts oil ventures’ accounts to Russia’s Gazprombank — media
Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.) is telling customers of its oil joint ventures to deposit sales proceeds at an account at Russia’s Gazprombank.
US uses humanitarian crisis in Venezuela as cover-up for own military plans — Maduro
Reuters said PDVSA’s move follows new US financial sanctions imposed on January 28 and aimed at blocking President Nicolas Maduro’s access to Venezuela’s oil revenue.
More:
http://tass.com/economy/1043998
Venezuelan officials announced the seizure of a large shipment of US weapons bound for anti-Maduro “terrorist groups”. Source: Endes Palencia, Venezuela’s Deputy Minister of Prevention and Public Safety, published photos of the intercepted weapons shipment to social media, seized at a Venezuelan airport: 19 rifles, 118 rifle chargers, 90 radio antennas, high-caliber ammunition, and six cellphones were shipped from the US to the Airport of Valencia. They came to Venezuela aboard an Airbus N881YV from Miami, Florida. Twitter: Endes Palencia Ortiz @PalenciaEndes All ports of entry and customs checkpoints throughout Venezuela are under tight security, a military build-up ordered by… Read more »
I do not believe that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will break down at all. They have been under pressure from the US since Hugo Chavez became President, since 1998. They have kept their strength for more than 20 years now, and they will keep resisting US pressure for sure, with Russian and Chinese help.
China and Russia though to not have the Force Projection capabilities to fight a war against US aggression in the US ‘Backyard’, and I doubt that the Russian public would support that anyway
It is a ‘Bridge too Far’I think.
Africa is a better continent to trade with and the US is not powerful there, as they are in South America.
Sadly the Venezuelan people who oppose the US, may only be able to utilise tactics that cost the US multi-billion dollars in Iraq. The topography of Venezuela would support armed resistance against the US. Every American being a target.
Venezuela is not in anybody’s “backyard”. Venezuela is a sovereign country of South America.
Yes, Russia and China have the necessary capabilities to defend their ally Nicolas Maduro. He is still the democratically elected President and he will stay put.
Pompeo is a liar. He has “active terror cells” in his brain. Maybe he is suffering from a brain tumor?
Although I agree with your sentiments, in reality, it is easy for the US to blockade shipping and aircraft entering Venezuela.
Russia and China would not be able to supply Venezuela with such a blockade in place.
I understand that it would be totally illegal for the US to do this without a UN Mandate, but when has the US bothered about International Law in the past?
Russia already has a military airbase in the Venezuelan island of La Orchilla, while the USA has none. And they will never get one. A lot of hot air, exhaled by the pompous ass Pompeo. Russia ships and flies all the goods and military hardware it wants to Venezuela and will certainly continue doing so. Furthermore, Russia’s Rosneft oil company has a stake in Venezuela’s state oil company, while the USA has none. And this will remain so, whether the USA like it or not. And last but not least, Gazprom bank is servicing Venezuelan oil sales worldwide. They are… Read more »
Whatever happens to Maduro – and I would not pretend any more knowledge of Venezuela than Alexander – Russia and China would be crazy to back Guido, who clearly has no support even among the military let alone among the people at large. If the US were ever to force him into power – and it’s difficult to imagine how – there would be chaos. Russia and China would have no interest at all in being part of this. However, Alexander has missed a crucial part of the jigsaw and that is that the Chinese have plans for a new… Read more »
The best source for Russia is the Russian news agency TASS, not the US media Bloomberg. Bloomberg is a CIA outlet, part of the US Deep State disinformation network.
In TASS, there is nothing at all about Russia dropping President Maduro in Venezuela. On the contrary. They are preparing new UN resolutions for vote, and GAZPROM bank is taking over payments for Venezuelan oil so that the treacherous US banks will not continue to steal Venezuelan money. I believe that President Maduro will still be there, long after Pompeo, Bolton, Trump will be gone. Good riddance to bad rubbish!
However:
Russia’s Gazprombank rejects report on Venezuelan oil giant’s new accounts
http://tass.com/economy/1044015
TASS is a truthful news media, it never lies.
http://tass.com/economy/1044015
The second paragraph of this text explains:
“… As one of the world’s major oil companies, PDVSA opened accounts in many large banks, including international ones. Several years ago PDVSA opened accounts in Gazprombank Group as part of cooperation with several Russian companies, which are the bank’s clients….”
Venezuela is placing its revenues from oil sales in OLD ACCOUNTS it has with Gazprom bank. They were opened under the presidenchy of Hugo Chavez.
President Nicolas Maduro says that Pompeo is lying.
He says that there is no Hezbollah presence in his country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=VgipIhoczwE
My opinion (and you know what they say about opinions, every A*****e has one) is that the Als are too pessimistic about Maduro’s ability to survive. For the Venezuelans, choosing between Maduro and Guido, my opinion is that they would choose Maduro. With the American regime’s blatant intervention, my opinion is that this will harden the people’s detestation of Yankees telling them what to do. In the end, Maduro’s (and Russia, China and other’s need to cut this Gordian knot) route is to call for a series of elections over a period of a month or so. First for the… Read more »
Pompeo should know…he’s part of the people that are encouraging and paying for this coup.
And what about all the ‘terror cells’ in the US???
What do you mean “in the US”?
The US is a terror cell, and not much else besides.
pompeo, trump, has beens, attempt to magical birth thier difficulties into Venzuela, The benifit is not thiers, Docket Gold, Palace facade with Russian Jet..The Gold Horus Netter- Mr.Maduro The King that mediates between Heaven and Earth. Heru-Ur Nette.r Have a good day Mr. Mercouris and The Duran, We care about Europe, I hope for good efforts and opportunities to recover what the world is in need of, European Affluence Possibly Based on New World with Russian contribution of Ivan St. Basils Opener of Ways Atum…One Generation of Hebrews realizing its optimun connection and support for the following generations, fluid, powerfull,… Read more »
What ridiculous commentary from people that represent the US. Americans should be absolutely ashamed and humiliated by these type comments as they are so asinine and flat out stupid.
No! You like to watch movies? Alot of plausible deniabilities, but when what were in movie form now communicates itself in schematical structural lanquage you dont approve? Is scooby doo not working for you anymore-gen in complaint about fighting hybrids. They go into actual divine affluences corrupt lie and steal putting them in a narrative that it was devine to start with, easily reunderstood. The mechanics, the stomping not aware barbarian, however Europeans are of a different sort, if they stop using thier minds rationalities, they get overwhelmed by the machine. King David had this perplexion, they are evil wrong,… Read more »
Another attempt, Heru- Ur to this country- Jump in the Fire when you see Paradise, Twice
Enhancement, scooby doo with reunderstood, after they convert from the devine the world must bear and grin in the trivalities they get to playout after, the world could be on the verge of annihalation and they would still be Acting in vanity debasing emphasis wasting the worlds time in thier malwares dictate of exceptionalism, you made the observation that Russia in 1990 s difficulties this country seemed to be enjoying it, when Russia Federation gets its act together they are not so well pleased? Less exceptionalism? Mr. Mercouris and the Duran, Foundational New World, Redirection into last to 1st time… Read more »
Britexit difficulties, what would they become if Europe New World get its act together? Clarification, Jumping into the Fire when they see Paradise is by my application intent applied to the Malware not to schematically correct or close to positions. Marshall, New World affillated
Agree but what can you expect from the vipers nest of zionists-truth does not matter, it is the lies that supports the narrative.
Most likely illiterate US army bootcamp wash-outs getting paid (not much) to troll websites like this.
Terrorist cells, eh? Mike Blowjob would know. He put them there.
Take note nations of the world, the coup now takes place in broad daylight. Back this one and you WILL be next. It is just a matter of time.
Mr. Mercouris and the Duran, When the Foundations be destroyed what shall the Righteous do, David celebrating the God that delivered from Philistia throws it into the Bath or She-pool of water, Greece Rome…I tell you from these stones or rocks that god is able to rise up or express children of abram, Your heritage is much more believable. The Foundations changed a reconfiqured schematical of the first, New World Atum Opener of Ways Las Californias Domican Republic, Ivan via Atums usage redirected from 1st to last to last to first with 2nd Las Californias. Russia with ark of gabriel… Read more »
This guy has no shame, no embarassment, no truth, no facts. He is an evil zionist.
How could “American values” possibly be at stake in Venezuela? Could somebody explain to me exactly why US values are so fragile a plant that it dies from the “cold” winds of the Venezuelan state? If understood the opposite way around, namely that just about every nation’s values are threatened by the US, that statement would have some truth. Which makes it clear right up front that the US and Pompeo in particular is trying again to concoct some grand conspiracy scheme that would then justify war on most of the world, including of course Iran, Russia, China, Syria, Yemen,… Read more »
Very true. Very well explained, thank you, Regula. Indeed, there are no “American values” at stake in Venezuela, which is a South American sovereign country with its own values. US Americans should take note that there is South America, Central America and North America. The USA are a part of North America, together with Mexico and Canada. Central and South America comprise many sovereign countries. They all have their own values, and rightly so. The USA should stop trying to export their “values”. They are not appreciated elsewhere. By the way, when will that US wall to Mexico finally be… Read more »
You guarantee that there will be terrorist cells in Venezuela. Mercenaries funded by the CIA. Keep up the good work Maduro. Most of the literate world understand exactly, what is going on.
Legal Notice, Situation in Venzuela part or all is in the Juristiction of Horus of Gold Ren. Osiris Horus of Gold, 5 titulary Rens, King, Further this position may also be affillated in the Wealth producing Nations replacing Genisis deficiting nations Platform ..The details forth coming when available, gold not for Youtube, this country..Mr. Mercouris Attorney extra ordinaire likly is not available for this type of action..a pity. There are 3-5 other difficulted nations in that region, they may realise affillation to above affluence. At this point The King position was attributed to Mr. Maduro, if correct, this could be… Read more »