Opinion: Trump’s intervention in Venezuela has stalled — because Caracas knows he’s bluffing
By Jackson Diehl Jackson Diehl Deputy editorial page editor and columnist focusing on international affairs Email Bio Follow Deputy Editorial Page Editor March 31 at 5:25 PM Back in January, the Trump administration launched an aggressive effort to convince the Venezuelan military that if it did not topple President Nicolás Maduro, it would be destroyed by sanctions and, perhaps, a U.S. invasion.
The most salient factor, however, may be that, unlike Bernie Sanders and other self-styled resisters of U.S. imperialism, the Venezuelans know that Trump is bluffing. There is no credible U.S. military option in Venezuela, and very little chance that Trump would actually try one. Over the past several years, Maduro, an ignorant and charmless but tenacious ruler, has developed a survival strategy that is part rope-a-dope, part North Korea. He responds to popular demonstrations and strikes by dispatching gangs of paramilitary thugs and other special forces to beat or shoot protesters in poor neighborhoods. He arrests and tortures any military officer suspected of disloyalty.
Oil exports — the country’s only significant source of hard currency — are plummeting. According to Russ Dallen of Caracas Capital, they fell from 1.15 million barrels a day in January to 650,000 barrels a day in the first half of March — or 43 percent. If that continues, Venezuelan imports of food and medicine, already disastrously insufficient, will drop off a cliff.
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.
Trumps seeks maximum advantage from Mueller report as Democrats try to change subjectAttorney General Barr plans to take 'weeks, not months' to release more information from the Mueller report - Justice Department official. More:
Read more »
Trump: 'Russia needs to get out' of Venezuela, tells opposition he's with them '100 percent'Fabiana Rosales visited the White House to drum up support for her husband, opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Read more »
Opinion | Is Venezuela where Trump finally stands up to Putin?The United States and Russia have taken opposing, incompatible stands on this issue.
Read more »
Russian military team arrived in Caracas: Venezuela military attacheMembers of the Russian military have arrived in Venezuela but will not take part...
Read more »
Second blackout in a month hits Venezuela, cutting power to CaracasLights went out across much of Venezuela, including many areas of the capital ci...
Read more »
Trump not bluffing about closing U.S.-Mexico border, Conway saysWhite House counselor Kellyanne Conway said Trump is serious about possibly closing the U.S.-Mexico border this week
Read more »
Trump's threat to close border 'certainly isn't a bluff,' Conway saysTop White House officials say President Trump's threat to close the US border with Mexico this week should be believed.
Read more »
Trump’s North American trade deal at risk of stalling in CongressRepublican senators insist Trump lift tariffs if he wants trade deal to move as Speaker Pelosi demands stronger enforcement
Read more »
US vs Russia: Everything you need to know about the battle for influence in VenezuelaThe U.S. and Russia are locked in a battle for influence over crisis-stricken Venezuela, with Washington and Moscow trading barbs over perceived meddling in the South American country.
Read more »
5 things to know for April 1: Campaign 2020, Amazon, aid cut, Venezuela, Slovakia5 things for Monday: - Campaign 2020 - Amazon - Aid cuts - Venezuela - Slovakia
Read more »