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On March 14th, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that all of the remaining US diplomats in Venezuela left the country “for the time being.”
He also announced that the US diplomatic staff “look forward to returning to a free & democratic Venezuela.”
All remaining U.S. diplomats in #Venezuela have departed for the time being. We remain firm in our support for Venezuelan people and @jguaido and look forward to returning to a free & democratic Venezuela. #EstamosUnidosVE
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 14, 2019
The US-Proclaimed President Juan Guaido continues to have the complete US support. US diplomats will simply support the opposition outside Venezuela’s borders.
“US diplomats will now continue that mission from other locations where they will continue to help manage the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people and support the democratic actors bravely resisting tyranny,” Pompeo said.
This is a follow-up on his announcement on March 11th that US diplomatic presence had become a “constraint” on US policy in Venezuela.
The U.S. will withdraw all remaining personnel from @usembassyve this week. This decision reflects the deteriorating situation in #Venezuela as well as the conclusion that the presence of U.S. diplomatic staff at the embassy has become a constraint on U.S. policy.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 12, 2019
Furthermore, in a video Pompeo said that the US was prepared to provide the humanitarian assistance that they need.
.@SecPompeo: "I have a message for the Venezuelan people—the American people are with you." pic.twitter.com/RLNB0iRw5Q
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 14, 2019
US Senator Marco Rubio who appears to have taken one of the leading positions on conduct regarding Venezuela also tweeted that the next time the US flag flies it will be in a “free and democratic Venezuela.”
Rubio also shared reports of alleged pro-Maduro government “colectivos” assaulting a group of people at a hospital to prevent them from reaching the UN Human Rights Commission.
Video of Pro #MaduroRegime colectivos (gang) physically assault a group at the Central Hospital of Valencia in #venezuela to prevent them from reaching the UN Human Rights Commission to show them the reality the country faces. https://t.co/FmvSTlB5R2
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 15, 2019
He also alleged that this reliance on “Armed colectivos” expresses Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s distrust in his military and his concerns regarding their “loyalty or capacity.”
#MaduroRegime reliance of armed 'colectivos' to repress opponents is sign of weakness.
Shows they don’t trust military loyalty or capacity.
In past military played big role in responding to disasters & emergency. But not this time after the blackout. https://t.co/gXvvy70nPN
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 14, 2019
Surprisingly, US National Security Adviser John Bolton has not repeated Pompeo and Rubio’s ominous warnings. He earlier warned that if anything were to happen to Guaido or any member of the National Assembly, the Venezuelan military would be held responsible by the US.
The United States will hold Venezuelan security forces responsible for the safety of President Guaido and the National Assembly. Any violence against them or their families will be met with a significant response. The world is watching.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 12, 2019
The promises of democracy and freedom returning to Venezuela, and US diplomats potentially may be a potential promise for a swift intervention.
On March 14th, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza gave an address during a UN convention on narcotics in Vienna. In a sign of protest against the “illegitimate” Maduro government, US officials, along with officials from several Latin American countries, Canada, and a few European nations, including France stormed out of the commission.
“The members of the Venezuela delegation here today represent the illegitimate government of Nicolas Maduro, and thus cannot be considered as speaking on behalf of the Venezuelan people,” a US Mission to International Organizations spokesman declared after storming out.
Today the United States walked out of the plenary chamber as Nicolas Maduro’s illegitimate representative Jorge Arreaza addressed member states at UN meetings in Vienna—Arreaza does not speak on behalf of the Venezuelan people. pic.twitter.com/AvTSKbRJ52
— US-UN Mission Vienna (@usunvie) March 14, 2019
In his speech, Arreaza called for a multilateral approach to fighting the drug war. He declared the US “unilateral economic steps” have led to a depletion of Venezuela’s national coffers and deprived it of resources it could use to fight drugs.
“Today the multilateral model is under threat and the situation of Venezuela is an example of this…The government of the US has threatened our people with a military aggression, with a use of force violating the UN charter,” Arreaza said.
The US tried to undercut Venezuela's FM while he addresses UN member states in Vienna. It's comical that the US would grandstand at the UN in this manner while blatantly violating the international body's founding principles (sovereignty & self determination). What children. https://t.co/GN10lOxC2E
— Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) March 14, 2019
Is our entire diplomatic corps staffed by temper tantrum-throwing children these days?
— Rik B ☭ ?? ? HandsOffVenezuela ?? (@TexasBirder56) March 14, 2019
Also in Vienna, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s support of the Maduro government.
In Vienna, Russian FM Lavrov reaffirms Moscow's support for VZ's democratically elected & internationally recognized gov, saying "our position is unwavering".
DC & its pawns can stage all the infantile walkouts they want, but their coup will still fail.https://t.co/G1Z4bMzYUa
— Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) March 14, 2019
Inside Venezuela, the US-Proclaimed President Guaido continues with urging people to protest, with the most recent one to happen on March 16th.
También llamamos a todos los venezolanos en el mundo a expresarse este sábado #16Mar
En más de 200 ciudades vamos alzar nuestra voz para solicitar que se detenga la crisis humanitaria En Venezuela.#16MUnidosYMovilizados pic.twitter.com/BmHyjpqgvL
— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) March 15, 2019
“We also call all Venezuelans in the world to express themselves this Saturday #16Mar in more than 200 cities we will raise our voice to request that the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela be stopped. #16MUnidosYMovilizados”
It does appear as if Guaido’s opposition is losing steam and it may actually require a more active approach on the part of the US, which the promises of “freedom and democracy,” following the withdrawal of all diplomatic staff, may be an indication of.
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