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End game: Juan Guaido ready to negotiate with Maduro
Hot Air.com ^ | May 22, 2019 | JAZZ SHAW

Posted on 05/22/2019 8:31:04 AM PDT by Kaslin

While some may be taking the latest news out of Venezuela as a hopeful note, it may actually spell the beginning of the end of any hope that dictator Nicolas Maduro will be removed from power. We’re hearing from representatives of self-declared interim President Juan Guaido that he is now willing to enter into “negotiations” with Maduro, an option he had rejected as recently as last week. They already have representatives meeting in Norway where they’re trying to find a way out of the current quagmire. And with public support for Guaido’s calls to replace Maduro appearing to decline, it sounds like he’s running out of options. (NY Times)

Weakened and unable to bring the political crisis gripping Venezuela to a quick resolution, Mr. Guaidó has been forced to consider negotiations with Mr. Maduro. Both sides have sent representatives to Norway for talks, a concession Mr. Guaidó previously rejected.

This change is a turning point for the opposition, which in January had gathered momentum, attracting broad international backing and huge crowds of supporters. Now, that momentum has nearly dissipated — a testament to Mr. Maduro’s firm hold on power even as the country crumbles around him.

In public, Mr. Guaidó remains upbeat and unwavering. At flash rallies around the capital, Caracas, he implores supporters to keep up the protests. But during an interview, he acknowledged that the opposition’s capacity to operate is hurting.

“The persecution has been savage,” he said in the empty hallway of one of the safe houses he uses.

This is a disappointing turn of events to be sure, but it may also simply be a case of facing a harsh reality. Most of Guaido’s high profile supporters have either been arrested, fled the country or are holed up in embassies claiming asylum. Guaido himself is, as the report indicates, shuffling back and forth between safe houses and unable to make many public appearances. Maduro has already had the courts strip him of his immunity and eventual prosecution and imprisonment are looking more and more likely.

But what sort of “negotiations” are there to be had? The only thing Guaido could really be asking for is Maduro’s resignation and departure. That’s obviously not something that’s going to be on the table. The only thing keeping the leader of the National Congress out of prison for the moment is a threat from Washington and other nations recognizing Guaido as the legitimate ruler of “significant consequences” should any harm befall him.

If I had to make a prediction right now, I’d say Maduro sees a light at the end of the tunnel. He can offer to not arrest Guaido or any of his family members, possibly even dropping charges against some of his supporters. In return, he’ll want Guaido to make a public statement dropping his demands for Maduro’s expulsion, recognizing him as the rightful president and rescinding his claim to be the interim leader. That provides a fig leaf for all the countries currently recognizing Guaido as president to go back to recognizing Maduro and allowing the situation in Venezuela to return to “normal.”

The problem is that normal in Venezuela these days is anything but. A return to the status quo simply means that Maduro gets to keep all of his ill-gotten wealth and continue running his once prosperous country into the ground. And if that’s how this story ends, it’s a sad day for the entire western hemisphere.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: guaido; jazzshaw; juanguaido; negotiations; nicolasmaduro; venezuela
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1 posted on 05/22/2019 8:31:04 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Another great example of why we need to always be cautious about helping out with our military. If they aren’t willing to die why should we?


2 posted on 05/22/2019 8:36:26 AM PDT by rrrod (just an old guy with a gun in his pocket)
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To: Kaslin

I hope this isn’t the case, for the struggling people in Venezuela. I fear what will happen to them.


3 posted on 05/22/2019 8:40:16 AM PDT by Rusty0604 (2020 four more years!)
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To: Kaslin

This is “Zimbabwe All Over Again”!


4 posted on 05/22/2019 8:45:44 AM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore (The world continues to be stuck in a "all leftist, all of the time" funk. BUNK THE FUNK!)
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To: Kaslin

Maduro isn’t leaving vertical. He will only leave horizontal. If you aren’t willing to do what it takes, then you learn to live with him.


5 posted on 05/22/2019 8:46:41 AM PDT by marron
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To: rrrod

It’s going to be power sharing, pressure works. Pressure may well be working with Iran. No, we shouldn’t commit troops haphazardly. The regime has no popularity outside of Caracas. I’d wait and see before listening to Jazz Shaw call this a failure. Blackouts are dominant outside of Caracas. Some success. The military might even give up on Maduro.


6 posted on 05/22/2019 8:49:22 AM PDT by BeadCounter
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To: Kaslin

The only way Venezuela gets rid of Maduro is through spontaneous mass rioting and I don’t think Venezuelans have it in them.


7 posted on 05/22/2019 8:56:44 AM PDT by immadashell (Save Innocent Lives - ban gun free zones)
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To: immadashell

Exactly. The riots are small compared to the population size. Antifa can muster more rioters in most big cities with an hours notice. Must not be all that bad in VZ.


8 posted on 05/22/2019 9:00:45 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$
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To: Kaslin

The “End Game” seems to be open-ended.


9 posted on 05/22/2019 9:10:57 AM PDT by 353FMG
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To: Kaslin

I see assassination in Guaido’s future.


10 posted on 05/22/2019 9:14:07 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Kaslin
Never make a deal with a Commie.

This is how you handle Commies:


11 posted on 05/22/2019 9:15:42 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Kaslin

Tessio is taking care of the “protection”.


12 posted on 05/22/2019 9:23:18 AM PDT by o-n-money
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To: Kaslin
Who the Hell cares? Guiado supports socialism too. It's the equivalent of Raul and Fidel Castro fighting for power.

If that's his wife, she sure is purty.

13 posted on 05/22/2019 9:23:26 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Isn't it funny that the very people who scream "My body, my choice" wants a say in your healthcare?)
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To: Kaslin

1. Guaido will accede to Maduro’s demands.
2. Maduro will then have Guaido disappeared.

The U.S. press won’t report the second event


14 posted on 05/22/2019 9:48:53 AM PDT by Flick Lives
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Purdy? In an AOC sort of way, I guess.

Anything short of rebellion and revolution
leaves Venezuela’s wagon still on the rutted
road of socialism. This could be like Versailles,
the treaty that made the next war inevitable.


15 posted on 05/22/2019 10:06:06 AM PDT by sparklite2 (Don't mind me. I'm just a contrarian.)
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To: sparklite2

As the old saying goes, you can always vote your way into socialism, but you can only shoot your way out.


16 posted on 05/22/2019 10:42:03 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys all aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
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To: Kaslin

Guaido needs to find a friendly socialist country for refuge. He’s toast if he stays in country.


17 posted on 05/22/2019 10:45:09 AM PDT by damper99 (pu)
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To: Kaslin

The Rooskies and Cubanos are running show...Venezuela is their piece of South America, and they are not going to give it up.


18 posted on 05/22/2019 10:49:44 AM PDT by Cuttnhorse (Never fear the cow)
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To: Vigilanteman

That’s a keeper.


19 posted on 05/22/2019 10:56:22 AM PDT by sparklite2 (Don't mind me. I'm just a contrarian.)
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To: dfwgator

I dig the sunglasses.


20 posted on 05/23/2019 11:58:27 AM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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