Banana Republic Newsflash

[SciFiFisher]

NPR had a story about this yesterday. They're trying to get more world leaders to recognize the opposition leader as the actual, lawful president.

Without removing Maduro I am not sure what "recognizing" the opposition leader will actually accomplish. More than one regime has illegitimately outlasted international displeasure over the years.

[Sigma_Orionis]

There's a fair amount or protesting today. As a matter of fact. My boss left the office to join one.

[Sigma_Orionis]

The protests continue. They are happening in the slums this time.

Guaidó was just sworn in as acting President and Trump recognized him as such

[Rommie]

I saw. Stay safe Sigma. It sounds super volatile right now.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I saw. Stay safe Sigma. It sounds super volatile right now.

Will do. So far things are quiet where I live.

[Sigma_Orionis]

The OAS just recognized Guaido as well

Individually he as been recognized as President by Canada, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay.

And Maduro just announced that Venezuela broke relations with the US and gave all diplomatic personnel 72 hours to leave the country.

[SciFiFisher]

The OAS just recognized Guaido as well

Individually he as been recognized as President by Canada, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay.

And Maduro just announced that Venezuela broke relations with the US and gave all diplomatic personnel 72 hours to leave the country.

You beat me to it. I saw that the U.S. had recognized Guaido as the de facto president.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Now I got something through Whatsapp that is rather intriguing.

So, Maduro says Venezuela is breaking relations with the US. And gave Diplomatic Personnel 72 hours to leave.

According to local newspapers, Gauido says the opposite.

Now since the US doesn't recognize Maduro. They could just ignore his demand of Diplomatic Personnel leaving the country.

And if that happens. What would Maduro do? attempt to storm the US embassy and have all its personnel arrested?

AND if that happened? How would the US respond?

My guess is that the US will ignore his demands and Maduro will back down.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Ok, The US just said they ain't leaving

[Thumper]

It's the headline story on NPR this morning. There are rumors that they will cut power and water to the embassy facilities in order to force US diplomats to leave.
My question, now that Trump and Pence have both "officially" given support to the opposition, are they playing right in to Maduro's hands? He has claimed that this is all the US's fault, that the US is trying to undermine his authority and take the country from the people of Venezuela. And now our "leaders" have pretty much admitted it. Will that end up solidifying support for Maduro from his remaining allies, or those who he continues to mislead?

[Sigma_Orionis]

It's the headline story on NPR this morning. There are rumors that they will cut power and water to the embassy facilities in order to force US diplomats to leave.
My question, now that Trump and Pence have both "officially" given support to the opposition, are they playing right in to Maduro's hands? He has claimed that this is all the US's fault, that the US is trying to undermine his authority and take the country from the people of Venezuela. And now our "leaders" have pretty much admitted it. Will that end up solidifying support for Maduro from his remaining allies, or those who he continues to mislead?

Meh. The US embassy here is a fortress. They probably have their own backup generators, water tanks and at least one water pump.

Chavez and Maduro have used that stunt for the last 20 years till it ran out, I mean remember the "Economic War" excuse? nobody is buying it. THIS TIME there seems to be plenty of international support. And they waited for the Demonstrations yesterday to show that Maduro doesn't have enough local support. Apparently there are articles in our constitution that allow Gauido to do what he did. So, I doubt this time that trick will work.

As you probably know. I have pretty little regard for Trump and Pence. But, Canadians, EU and most the OAS already are backing Guaido. So, this time, the "Imperialist ploy" excuse is going to sound just a tad hollow.

[Thumper]

Thanks for your perspective. I'm just not counting out the bopsie twins (Trump and Pence) to sod things up more.

I know we're all saying it, and I'm sorry if I ring hollow, but I hope you can stay safe, and I wish there was something we could do to get you out of there.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Thanks for your perspective. I'm just not counting out the bopsie twins (Trump and Pence) to sod things up more.

If Trump can keep his mouth shut. It might work. I see Pence as little more than a sycophant. So, he'll do what his boss tells him to. As for the other errand boy (Marco Rubio) he's been on Maduro's case for years because Maduro's main ally is Cuba. But, by now he ought to know how to play the game. If there's anybody with some brains left at Pompeo's US State Dept, they'll let Canadians drum international support in Europe and the rest of Latin America (I've read somewhere that Trudeau's been working behind the scenes to drum up support for the so-called Lima Group)

I know we're all saying it, and I'm sorry if I ring hollow, but I hope you can stay safe, and I wish there was something we could do to get you out of there.

I know. No Worries, thanks.

[Sigma_Orionis]

SURPRISE!

The Russkies back Maduro

[SciFiFisher]

SURPRISE!

The Russkies back Maduro

I'm shocked! Shocked I say!

[Thumper]

I thought Trump at one time liked Maduro...

[Sigma_Orionis]

I thought Trump at one time liked Maduro...

Naw, because the Dems have always tried to tiptoe around Maduro. In any case, if he did. Rubioboy made sure he changed his mind.

ETA. Sorry, just figured out you were joking.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this one

[geonuc]

Benghazi! Lock him up!

[SciFiFisher]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this one

Of course, if there were a massacre of the Embassy staff the U.S. conservative base would find a way to blame the Democrats... and Hilary.

[Sigma_Orionis]

Benghazi! Lock him up!

It's ALWAYS about him. Ain't it?

Of course, if there were a massacre of the Embassy staff the U.S. conservative base would find a way to blame the Democrats... and Hilary.

I find that to be a pretty big IF. Maduro and his clique are pretty good at being tough with weaker people. But he's a coward when dealing with real opposition. Sort of like your president. But in a smaller scale of course.

Throughout Facebook I've seen several people claiming that this whole brouhaha is over the US taking control of our oil (a favorite Maduro claim).

Apparently Trump & Co. Have been mulling over slapping an oil embargo on us.

Here's a piece from CNN speculating on the effects. Mentioning that refineries in the Gulf of Mexico would be affected. And that it would deal a deadly blow to what's left of our economy.

I have my reservations on how the US would be affected. Of course, the impact on our economy would be deadly. But the interesting part is the graph where they show the 6 largest oil exporters to the US. As I have said before, Canada is by far the largest exporter to the US. In fact, it sends more oil to the US than all the other five combined (including SAUDI ARABIA and us).

[Sigma_Orionis]

This is something you don't see often.

An NY times editorial that says :

The Trump administration is right to support Mr. Guaidó. But given the history of American support for right-wing dictatorships in Latin America, the United States must be seen as participating in a broad coalition of South American and other democratic nations seeking to help Venezuelans achieve a peaceful end to a destructive dictatorship.

And a guy at the Guardian that says that Trump could crash and burn

[Thumper]

It sounded more to me like he was saying that we're all going to crash and burn.

[Sigma_Orionis]

It sounded more to me like he was saying that we're all going to crash and burn.

Well yeah he did say that even if Trump & Co don't screw the pooch on this one, they will sometime in the future.

[Thumper]

Yeah, it basically said how could they not with such a vast bunch of incompetent, inexperienced, misguided morons at the helm.