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Appears the us media is ignoring this story
BBC News - US ship detained by Venezuela in Guyana disputed waters
Appears the us media is ignoring this story, probably because they realize it will make Obama look weak again
BBC News - US ship detained by Venezuela in Guyana disputed waters
Appears the us media is ignoring this story, probably because they realize it will make Obama look weak again
The coalition, the Democratic Unity Roundtable, did not mention Trump's name, but its message was clear. It said in a statement it rejects "the use of force, or the threat of applying such force, by whatever country against Venezuela." Trump's comment on Friday that his administration was mulling many options, "including a possible military option if necessary," to fix the "dangerous mess" in Venezuela outraged Caracas, which called it "reckless" and "madness."
It was also rejected by all Latin American countries - not only Venezuela's allies such as Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua, but also those strongly opposed to President Nicolas Maduro, including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile. US Vice President Mike Pence was travelling to Colombia on Sunday for a tour of some friendly countries in the region with a view to coordinating further action against Venezuela, on top of US sanctions already applied.
Venezuela opposition rejects military threat
But after Trump's comment - which US military commanders said had not been followed by any orders to prepare any sort of operation - Pence was faced with unified rejection of forceful US intervention. The Venezuelan opposition coalition said Maduro's recent moves to bolster his power despite broad unpopularity and a spiralling economic crisis had "isolated" the country.
But with many Venezuelans sharing bitter memories in Latin America of past US military adventures in the region - including invasions, propping up dictators and promoting guerilla forces - there was little appetite for forced change from Washington. "The only path to peace is the restoration of democracy. Venezuelans demand free elections be held at all levels," the opposition coalition statement said.
Venezuela opposition rejects military threat
Santos held a joint news conference Sunday in Cartagena with visiting U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. President Donald Trump said Friday that he will not rule out the possible use of the U.S. military to help restore democracy to Venezuela. Recalling more than a century of U.S. military action throughout Latin America, Santos said no Latin leader wants 'that phantom' to reappear. He said a return to democracy in Venezuela must be peaceful, calling America a 'continent of peace...let us preserve it as such.' Pence did not rule out using military force, but he did not directly talk about it either.
He said there are may options available to pressure the Maduro regime in Venezuela, including more economic and diplomatic pressure. He assured Santos and everyone that the U.S. will not stand by as Venezuela 'crumbles' and slides into dictatorship. He said a failed state in Venezuela endangers the entire continent. He said Trump sent him to Latin America to marshal and consolidate regional support for the need to help the Venezuelan people.
Colombia Santos No Latam Leader will Accept US Military Force in Venezuela
Earlier Sunday, CIA Director Mike Pompeo told Fox News Sunday that Trump talked about the possibility of military actionto 'give the Venezuelan people hope and opportunity to create a situation where democracy can be restored.' Venezuela called Trump's threat 'reckless.' Colombia is the first stop on Pence's week-long trip to to Latin America, which includes visits to Argentina, Chile, and Panama. Pence and Santos also discussed drug and cocaine trafficking and Colombia's so-far successful peace agreement ending 50 years of war with FARC rebels.
In Chile, Pence will face questions over the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, Chile's U.S. ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdes told the VOA Spanish service. "With or without the U.S., we will continue working in the Asia Pacific to push for an agreement that results in clear rules for everyone," Valdes said. He added that his nation hopes the United States does not follow through on the threat to leave the Paris climate agreement because Chile believes that climate change is real. U.S. trading partner Panama, home to the Panama Canal, established diplomatic ties with China in June, and Pence's upcoming visit comes against the backdrop of a growing Chinese trade role in the region.
Colombia Santos No Latam Leader will Accept US Military Force in Venezuela
