Posted on 01/26/2019 9:22:26 AM PST by billorites
Former U.S. diplomat Elliott Abrams will lead U.S. efforts on Venezuela, where Washington has recognized an opposition leader as the legitimate president, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday.
“Elliott will be a true asset to our mission to help the Venezuelan people fully restore democracy and prosperity to their country,” Pompeo said in announcing Abrams’ appointment.
He said Abrams would accompany him to the United Nations on Saturday for a Security Council meeting on Venezuela where the U.S. will press other countries to support opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim head of state.
Abrams, appearing with Pompeo at a briefing for reporters, described the situation in Venezuela as “deep, difficult and dangerous.”
A neoconservative who has long advocated an activist U.S. role in the world, Abrams last served in government in the Bush White House, first as a Middle East expert on the National Security Council and later as a global democracy strategy adviser.
He was assistant secretary of state during the Reagan administration and was convicted in 1991 on two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress during the Iran-Contra scandal. He was later pardoned by President George H.W. Bush.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
People do not like to have governments thrust upon them by a foreign power, even a government of philosopher kings. Let the people of Venezuela solve this one by themselves.
We have far to often gone abroad looking for monsters to slay, and unleashing an arrogant thug like Pompeo can only damage our standing in the world.
It is not like the US is alone in supporting Venezuela’s opposition leader. Have you looked at the world map at the Countries that are aligned with us?
“Elliott Abrams will lead U.S. efforts on Venezuela”
Whatta mistake.
The 80s are over and so are the neo-cons who got tens of thousands killed in idiot wars. Not to mention costing us trillions.
Maduro and his gangsters just want the oil money. They dont care how many people leave, they are only going to keep the money for themselves. Take away the cash and they collapse.
Try to understand the facts here. Venezuela has a constitution. They have “constitutionally” appointed an interim President of their general assembly until new elections can be held and have declared Maduro illegitimate. This is their 25th amendment if you will or their impeachment process.
The U.S. Is simply joining with 13 of the 14 signators of the Lima treaty which is like the South American NATO as well as Canada and the EU to assist Venezuela in throwing off Maduro and Communism.I
No one is thrusting a new govt on Venezuela and to date Poll So has been a stellar Secretary of State and in lockstep with the wishes of the President.
I would rather we focus on our own problems rather than meddle in this crap at this time. The Venezuelan issue was going to sort itself out in due time. We need to focus some energy here, we’re about to have our own war.
Elliot Abrams is a NeoCon never Trumper. I wouldn’t appoint him to clean up a sandbox.
A horrible choice.
I don’t give a crap on socialism in VEN, which the people there voted for.
We need to focus on the Socialists taking over the USA right now.
“I don’t give a crap on socialism in VEN”
Thats why thankfully you are not President and Trump is. Part of the job of President is to engage in International affairs. Venezuela is a near neighbor who needs our moral support to constitutionally rid itself of Maduro and Communism. It will also thwart Putin’s plan for a military base there.
Why does Trump keep picking these people? He must listen to the last expert by self description he talks to or Jared rushes in with a ‘great pick for the Venezuela mission Mr. President.’ One permanent government hack and has been after another. This one doesn't require congressional approval. Find a retired general officer who is flat against interminable multinational mush mouth missions in sh*thole countries.
I view Abrams as a less than stellar choice myself. But ultimately Pompeo is running the show and is pretty much in lockstep with Trump.
It looks like we are likely to nationalize all the US Citgo assets and income in the US and funnel it straight to Gauido and the Venezuelan National Committee so they will be well funded and given Gauido’s educational background he is more than capable of straightening the mess out.
I look for the military to come over to Gauido pretty quickly now that Maduro’s ambassador to the US has renounced him and recognized Gauido. I don’t see us sending troops to Venezuela.
I think that is the idea. I just know that K Street constantly can take something like this and see in it an opportunity for interminable US presence unless the Chief Executive puts his foot firmly down. To much of the ‘Now Mr President, this is just a short term stability mission. Wouldn’t be prudent, I say, it wouldn’t be prudent not to have some US presence there on the ground.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.