[Texas Fossil]

Friend on Twitter posted that Iwo Jima left FL 5 days ago heading SSW. Have seen no confirmation.

Sounds like we intend to remain in Venezuela in spite of Maduro's sputter.

[laplata]

I was thinking that one or two of our amphibious assault ships might be there or headed that way.

Thanks.

[laplata]

And Caracas is right on the coast. Lol

[Zhang Fei]

It’s unfortunate that Noriega is no longer with us. He could have made Maduro feel at home at his future new digs at a Supermax facility.

[MagUSNRET]

Watch yourself, friend. Loose lips sink ships!!!

[adorno]

Accordingly the United States does not consider former president Nicolas Maduro to have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations with the United States or to declare our diplomats persona non grata.

The president can do that???

Then, maybe he can use a similar rule or power, to declare Nancy Pelosi as not having the power to speak for the rest of the congress or the American people, who, I'm pretty sure, want to hear Trump deliver his SOTU in the house chamber.

[2banana]

Trump daring him to attack the US Embassy.

I don’t think Trump will have the same response as Carter did with Iran.

[allendale]

Suspect Maduro is unable to pay the majority of his soldiers in hard currency. Thugs won’t work for free and his officers are may not want to die or be imprisoned.

[catnipman]

“Pompeo warned “the Venezuelan military and security forces” not to attempt to remove the diplomats by force or retaliate over their refusal. “We call on all parties to refrain from measures that are inconsistent with the privileges and immunities enjoyed by members of the diplomatic community,” he said. “The United States will take appropriate actions to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel.””

translation of Pompeo’s diplomatic statement into the vernacular:

“We double-dog dare you to touch a single hair on a single one of our diplomats ... we’re just itching for a excuse to send in troops to “rescue” any “hostages” ...”

[Mariner]

An LHD is certainly adequate to handle any threat to US interests there.

And could easily evac the entire US mission on short notice.

All non-essential personnel/family members should already be on a plane headed out.

[rrrod]

Have all the dependants left?

[Mariner]

” 5 days ago”

If so, at 400 miles per day at routine transit speed (16 knots), she’s already there. And likely not alone.

[Jumper]

Well there isn’t much of the staff left. By 2010, with the exception of one military officer the entire defense attache detachment had been denied return flights or attrited without Chavez allowing a replacement or returning member from abroad. I hate to tell the SecState his business, but a host nation can kick everyone out if they break diplomatic relations with us. Signed Retired Foreign Service.

[Flaming Conservative]

Mike Pompeo for President, 2024!

[Boomer]

This ain’t gonna end pretty for Maduro and his supporters if they do anything to our diplomats.

[gunnut]

Probably not a popular opinion here but as far as I am concerned, there is nothin* there worth spilling US blood. If the people want him gone, they should do the dirty work.

[onedoug]

So, State gets to show whatever backbone they have.

Interesting.

[cpdiii]

What Mike Pompeo really said was. “no me jodas”