Posted on 08/08/2019 4:18:45 AM PDT by Kaslin
In Venezuela, President Trump is reminding us that America First doesn’t mean America alone.
Yesterday, President Trump announced a total economic embargo of Venezuela to freeze all assets controlled by the Maduro regime and its business dealings.
Today, Trump Administration officials are in Peru to discuss how democracy will be restored by the people of Venezuela and how the United States and our Latin American allies will continue to provide needed humanitarian assistance to Venezuelans. The United States will be joined in Peru by representatives from 59 countries, including 18 Latin American countries, the Vatican, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.
President Trump is leading a unified, multi-national coalition to reject socialism in Venezuela. The embargo on Maduro is yet another example of America’s commitment to restoring Freedom in Latin America and promoting democracy abroad. In the past month, the Treasury Department sanctioned Maduro’s step-son and extended family, and the Justice Department has indicted Maduro associates for alleged money-laundering and corruption.
So why does this matter to us Americans?
Venezuela is experiencing the worst non-wartime economic collapse of any country in the last 45 years. Nearly 4 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015. Basic necessities like food, water, and electricity are scarce as nation-wide blackouts worsen this crisis. Horrible pictures of malnourished children and seniors in Venezuela are commonplace. All the while, a socialist dictator literally dances in the streets of Caracas as his regime clings to power with the help of Castro’s Cuba and others.
These problems are only worsened when Democrats refuse to work with Republicans to prevent open borders, strengthen our asylum laws, and fix the broken immigration system in our country.
But there is a path to Freedom in Venezuela. And this path is 100 percent Venezuelan. Interim President Juan Guaido is the only legitimate President of Venezuela pursuant to their Constitution and the National Assembly.
Until they succeed, the crisis in Venezuela will continue to adversely impact our hemisphere. Our Latin American neighbors are struggling to sustain the massive influx of Venezuelan refugees, and some of the illegal immigrant caravans at our southern border are being directly funded by Maduro.
President Trump is leading the way for all nations. America was the first country to recognize Juan Guaido as the legitimate President of Venezuela, and America continues to send critical humanitarian aid to the People of Venezuela. In June, the USNS Comfort set sail to deliver medical assistance to the region and will reach Venezuela this fall.
President Trump is also taking steps to ensure that Venezuela’s economy can survive, and even thrive, as the country transitions to Democratic rule. Last week, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross revealed a plan to foster economic growth in Venezuela with our Latin American allies in Brazil. Part of this plan’s framework outlines “Reversing socialism,” which suggests more private investment, tax reform, and fewer state controls for Venezuelans.
The plan is a stark reminder why America can never become a socialist country. The 2020 Democrat presidential candidates are advocating to expand government’s role in healthcare, reverse historic tax reforms, and broaden federal regulations that hurt the American worker. Take note.
Like us Americans, Venezuelans deserve more than failed socialist policies. A Free and Democratic Venezuela will mean a more secure and prosperous Western Hemisphere for all of us.
Fortunately, in this difficult time, President Trump is showing all of us why America First doesn’t mean America alone. And with President Trump in the White House, America will never be a socialist country.
What a great article. Venezuelans will have a great nation soon...
How about no? Let the Venezuelans exercise some self-determination, come what may. Can we please sit out of the regime change game, just this once?
If American oil companies want access to the goods down there, let them figure out how without pouring American blood on the problem. There are plenty of PMCs for hire in South America, Exxon can afford a nice little force if they so badly want to help.
Let’s hope you never need help.
“Let’s hope you never need help.”
If he needs help he’ll dial 911 because he’s in America. Or he can reach out to the Moose, the Elks, the Rotary, or any of the other 100,000 charity organizations here.
The United States isn’t 911 for the world nor is our military International Armed and Dangerous Pizza Guy. Cutting off business ties with Maduro and his band of goons is fine with me but an absolute HELL NO to any more regime change at the hands of our military. Every one in the last 20 years has been a fricking disaster.
Venezuela is a problem for the people of Venezuela to solve. I can’t even feel all that bad for them. They voted for this and should have known better.
L
Why not just let sanctions on Maduro et.al work? Democracy fizzles without a strong republic understood by and supported by the people. Gimme gets in the way.x
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But there is a path to Freedom in Venezuela. And this path is 100 percent Venezuelan.
You were saying?
Iran is under sanctions and threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Venezuela is now under embargo.
And oil is at...$52.32 as I type.
God bless Trump for taking the shackles off of our energy industries!
No one said the military is going to be involved. If any military gets involved, it should be Brazil and Columbia on each side of Venezuela. Our Navy could stop shipping but no need at all for ground troops.
“No one said the military is going to be involved.”
The Comfort is a US Navy ship. It’s enroute right now.
“Our Navy could stop shipping..”
And here you contradict yourself. Last time I checked the US Navy was part of our military.
L
He also talks about preventing socialism in Venezuela, despite socialist countries being among the dozens sending representatives to Peru?
The Comfort is a US Navy ship. It’s enroute right now.
“Our Navy could stop shipping..”
And here you contradict yourself. Last time I checked the US Navy was part of our military.
The Comfort is a Navy hospital ship providing humanitarian assistance only and a shipping blockade by the Navy does not involve boots on the ground. So yes, inartfully stated, but I understood what the original poster meant.
A Naval blockade is an Act of War. You do know that, right?
L
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