'The real reason Venezuela’s Maduro survives: Dirty money' via PostOpinions
By Jackson Diehl Jackson Diehl Deputy editorial page editor and columnist focusing on international affairs Email Bio Follow Deputy Editorial Page Editor May 12 at 7:15 PM When asked to explain why their efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have fallen short, Trump administration officials typically cite the sinister influence of Cuba and Russia, which they say has stiffened the regime’s resistance.
Though both the Trump administration and Maduro’s far-left foreign defenders prefer to describe the Venezuelan crisis in political terms, the reality is that the regime is less a government — much less a socialist one — than a criminal gang. That has two consequences that are complicating its removal. First, the money it is reaping from criminal activity is serving as a prop that allows it to survive U.S. sanctions.
Another new study prepared for the National Defense University by Douglas Farah and Caitlyn Yates found that even while the Maduro regime sold 73 tons of gold in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates last year to raise cash, its reserves grew by 11 tons — the likely result of illegal gold mining, including by Colombian rebel groups based in Venezuela and allied with the regime.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion | Five reasons Trump is a foreign policy failureTrump runs foreign policy like his real estate empire: Poorly
Read more »
Venezuela's Maduro regime is accused of training leftist guerrillas to use anti-aircraft missilesThe Colombia guerrilla group ENL has close ties to the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Read more »
Trump says U.S. underestimated Venezuela's 'tough cookie' Maduro: ReportPresident Donald Trump is reportedly frustrated by the likes of national security adviser John Bolton for overconfidence about the toppling of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro.
Read more »
As Maduro cracks down, Venezuela legislators see intimidationA Venezuelan opposition legislator on Friday fled to Colombia while others said ...
Read more »
US lifts sanctions on Venezuela spy chief to spur Maduro defectionsVice President Pence announced that the US lifted sanctions on Venezuela's spy chief after he defected from Nicolas Maduro who maintains power despite US-backed protests
Read more »
Met Gala: The real reason you couldn't look away'The Met Gala is an event already famed for pageantry. So why did this year's theme, 'Camp: Notes on Fashion,' blow the top off it Monday night, beginning with a shimmering spectacle of color, sequins and golden wings?' writes Susan Jonasus for CNNOpinion
Read more »
Pompeo calls support in Britain for Venezuela's Maduro 'disgusting'U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was disgusted to see politicians in Britain, as well as in the United States, continue to support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Responding to a reporter who asked about support for Venezuela's government by Jeremy Corbyn, the leader
Read more »
Pompeo calls support in Britain for Venezuela's Maduro 'disgusting'U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was disgusted to see po...
Read more »
Opinion | Venezuela’s Rebellion That Wasn’tOpinion: Venezuela’s Juan Guaidó got double-crossed. But Nicolás Maduro has to sleep with one eye open, writes maryanastasiaOG.
Read more »
Opinion | Russian Collusion in VenezuelaOpinion: Why does Donald Trump believe Vladimir Putin on Venezuela instead of his advisers?
Read more »