WTF? Obama Declares Venezuela A Threat To U.S. National Security? Really?

[99th_Monkey]

More sabre rattling from the WH? What's a progressive peacenik to think?

Obama Declares Venezuela A Threat To U.S. National Security
Reuters * 03/09/2015 * By Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order on Monday declaring Venezuela a national security threat, sanctioning seven individuals and expressing concern about the Venezuelan government's treatment of political opponents.

"Venezuelan officials past and present who violate the human rights of Venezuelan citizens and engage in acts of public corruption will not be welcome here, and we now have the tools to block their assets and their use of U.S. financial systems," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.

"We are deeply concerned by the Venezuelan government's efforts to escalate intimidation of its political opponents. Venezuela's problems cannot be solved by criminalizing dissent," he added.

The White House said the executive order targeted people whose actions undermined democratic processes or institutions, had committed acts of violence or abuse of human rights, were involved in prohibiting or penalizing freedom of expression, or were government officials involved in public corruption.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/09/obama-venezuela_n_6831890.html

[tritsofme]

1. Sounds like an appropriate response to the actions of Maduro's regime.

[RobertEarl]

54. Sounds like an appropriate response to the actions of US police state

There, I fixed it for you. We have a mess in the US and now we threaten other countries? WTF?

[bananas]

67. They keep thwarting our coup attempts.

It makes us look bad.
Now we'll have to invade.

[RobertEarl]

75. Yeah

What I don't get is why Obama is allowing the RW to determine foreign policy in the WH.

May be Obama feels he has to give them something to chew on to keep them from eating the furniture?

[Aerows]

94. I'm pretty sure if when he ran for President he knew

how much "stop chewing the furniture" interference he would have to run, he would have said "Screw it, I'm going to become a carpenter".

[RobertEarl]

96. Probabaly so

Like he said about his daughters the other day and their likely political future lives: They won't. They listen to their mother.

I think Obama is blessed to have such a partner as Michelle (who wouldn't be?) and I think she has seen even more than Barack has of the ankle-biters in DC.

Bill Clinton got chewed on and what has he done? What has Al Gore done? We know what Carter has done.... became a carpenter!!

What Obama should do is to establish a new Peace Corps. Pull a Kennedy type historic move... maybe even adopt the Kucinich idea of a Department of Peace.

Stick it right in the eye of the RW and make them blindly stumble some more.

[Aerows]

97. I honestly

don't know how they have held it together. Republicans are determined to burn everything down like giant children, and reining them in is a full time job. Such a full time job that you barely get the opportunity to make progress.

But Republicans don't want progress, that much has become obvious since St. Reagan infested the White House and Congress.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

101. We dont have a police state here, yet. But where we do have issues with the police,

most of it is in minority neighborhoods.

[RobertEarl]

109. If you are not a 1%er

You live in a minority-like neighborhood.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

110. Nonsense

[ND-Dem]

125. nonsense

[RobertEarl]

126. You don't get it do you?

How old are you? How much have you been around?

The 1% screws over the whole of society and feasts upon the environment for profits, and they skate. Or do you not think they have screwed over and stolen from nearly everyone?

You are in an economic minority if you are not a 1%er.

[ND-Dem]

106. the powerful maduro regime, with an economic might 2.5% of ours!!! be very afraid!!!

[tritsofme]

123. Not afraid at all, I just commented that the sanction is appropriate

President Obama made the right call.

[ND-Dem]

124. did they assist the plotters in a coup against us or something? oh, wait, that was us...against

them....

[Man from Pickens]

2. if you want to violate the human rights of Venezuelans

you have to do it all proper-like, and have it done in Guantanamo

or Chicago

[dissentient]

3. lol

Those big bad Venezuelans are gonna kill us all!

[msanthrope]

7. Only 7, listed below. Let us know which ones you think were wrongly targeted. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

29. Let us know which ones are a threat to US national security. nt

[msanthrope]

34. All of them. They've all enriched themselves on the backs of Venezuelans, and put assets

here.

Should we allow them to carve out safe havens for themselves in American banks and companies? Should we allow them, and their families to travel here freely?

[Comrade Grumpy]

37. Please. That's pathetically weak.

Traveling here or putting money in our banks threatens our security? You've got to be kidding.

Sanction them if you wish, but this national security threat talk is unadulterated bullshit.

[msanthrope]

40. Given the acts done against journalists and opposition figures, including sexual

assault......you really think these are people who should be allowed to travel here?

Please proceed.

[Aerows]

74. I agree. Please proceed.

http://gawker.com/flight-logs-put-clinton-dershowitz-on-pedophile-billio-1681039971

Since guilt by association seems to a favorite.

[msanthrope]

78. Why would you bring President Bill Clinton into this? nt

[Aerows]

79. Oh.

I see you missed the "guilt by association" is popular addendum.

I guess if it is a familiarly used tactic that provides absolutely nothing to any discussion except to derail it, one would miss it.

And yes, I do see the irony here.

[msanthrope]

81. You do understand that these people are considered directly responsible for their actions in

ordering and committing suppression, right?

Perhaps you could look at the list and tell me who you think is wronged.

[Aerows]

84. I made my point.

I'm not one to show up with a dull blade and an empty toolbox when I intend to make one.

You and I frequently disagree. I actually *appreciate* that about you, msanthrope, but make no mistake, we do disagree on many matters and methods.

[msanthrope]

86. Oh, you made a point all right.......

On a side note.....Eduardo Castro must have had a great season, dressing Maleficient and Regina.....

[Aerows]

87. The man is a FREAKING GENIUS

I just cannot look at the things he has pulled off and say he is anything but amazing.

If I ever became Queen of the World™, I want him to be in charge of my wardrobe.

[Aerows]

88. Oh and ...

or as you like to frequently tease me with

[countryjake]

92. +1,000,000

[Aerows]

98. Thanks, CJ

Glad to chat with you, and I hope you and your are doing well .

[ND-Dem]

129. stashing their dirty money here supposedly endangers us....

and maduro, the ex-bus driver, is supposedly waaaay dirtier than the descendants of the house of saud, rulers of arabia since the 1740s.

yeah.

[leveymg]

38. Interesting. We target Venezuelan politcians but recognize the head of Saudi intel as Ambassador

We are a strange country where money can buy anything, including wars, and even active supporters of terrorists are "too big to fail."

[msanthrope]

42. Like I said.....I agree Saudi Arabia should have the same legislation.

But I'm perfectly fine with these seven people being on a list.

[elehhhhna]

63. thank you

[geek tragedy]

4. I guess the US felt it had to retaliate against Maduro's stupid rhetoric

with some stupid rhetoric of their own.

Meh.

[msanthrope]

11. Implementation of 2014 legislation that targets 7 individuals. nt

[geek tragedy]

12. Meh. Such legislation doesn't exist regarding Saudi Arabia. nt

[msanthrope]

14. It should. nt

[geek tragedy]

21. But never will nt

[msanthrope]

22. Unlikely.....unless we get a dream Congress or they run out of oil. But I'm still pretty good

with those 7 miscreants making the list.

[Rex]

58. Also anyone using the notion of Our Oil might want to remember we are running out of room to store

the stuff we make HERE! The new leader of Venezuela is no Hugo Chavez. He is very corporate and that means he can be bought by 'foreign investors' and the fear is that might not be us.

[Aerows]

91. "the fear is that might not be us"

Which is the true complaint.

It is impossible for me to not notice that elephant in the room. I can look out the window and pretend it isn't there for the sake of going along to get along, but I will also notice when it takes a dump on the carpet.

I know who is going to have to clean it up.

[ND-Dem]

131. He was a bus driver & trade unionist most of his life. What's so 'corporate' about him?

Nicolás Maduro Moros born 23 November 1962:

He attended a public high school at the Liceo José Ávalos in El Valle, a working-class neighborhood on the western outskirts of Caracas.

After leaving school, Maduro found employment as a bus driver for many years.

He began his political career in the 1980s, by becoming an unofficial trade unionist representing the bus drivers of the Caracas Metro system. He was also employed as a bodyguard for José Vicente Rangel during Rangel's unsuccessful 1983 presidential campaign.

During the 1990s, Maduro was instrumental in founding the Movement of the Fifth Republic, which supported Hugo Chávez in his run for president in 1998.[6]

Maduro was elected on the MVR ticket to the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies in 1998, to the National Constituent Assembly in 1999, and finally to the National Assembly in 2000, at all times representing the Capital District. The Assembly elected him as Speaker, a role he held from 2005 until 2006.

On 9 August 2006, Maduro was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol%C3%A1s_Maduro

[treestar]

112. Are there any corresponding Saudi Arabian miscreants would be the question

Saudi Arabia is so repressive over all that they hardly need to do anything new.

We get more oil from Venezuela than from the Middle East, if I recall correctly.

[ND-Dem]

134. No. we get more oil from canada than from SA: more than 100% more. we used to get about

the same amount from Vz and SA, but SA's been shipping more and Vz less since 2008.

http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_a2_nus_epc0_im0_mbblpd_a.htm

[ND-Dem]

127. or against at least a dozen other 'allies'

[treestar]

113. There's less hope for Saudi Arabia

It hasn't ever been open; Venezuela has, so maybe people messing with that are the ones to go after.

[randome]

5. That Obama, he must just hate people. Or perhaps it's more nuanced than it appears at first glance.

If I had to take a guess, I'd go with the latter.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Everything is a satellite to some other thing.[/center][/font][hr]

[msanthrope]

9. The E.O. implements the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014.....

Damn that Obama!!!! Following the law!!!

[leveymg]

39. Do you want to explain the nuance behind this?

Frankly, this looks to be more tit-for-tat than anything else. Escalation, countermeasures. More New Cold War on the way.

[randome]

59. No, other than what msanthrope has posted.

I don't need to become a foreign policy expert on the fly in order to make an educated evaluation of both the man and the result of the Executive Order.

Knowing that Venezuela is spiraling into disorder helps, too.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]No squirrels were harmed in the making of this post. Yet.[/center][/font][hr]

[Rex]

62. "More New Cold War on the way." Maybe they are getting out in front of it first.

I think with the Ukraine and Russia situation, a New Cold War is right around the corner. We are already playing mind games with Russia.

[msanthrope]

6. Sigh--the E.O. is a targeted implementation of the 2014 legislation passed by Congress......

It targets 7 individuals-----you tell us which ones you are defending......

1. Antonio José Benavides Torres: Commander of the Strategic Region for the Integral Defense (REDI) of the Central Region of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and former Director of Operations for Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB).

•Benavides Torres is a former leader of the GNB, an entity whose members have engaged in significant acts of violence or conduct that constitutes a serious abuse or violation of human rights, including against persons involved in antigovernment protests in Venezuela in or since February 2014. In various cities in Venezuela, members of the GNB used force against peaceful protestors and journalists, including severe physical violence, sexual assault, and firearms.

2. Gustavo Enrique González López: Director General of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and President of Venezuela’s Strategic Center of Security and Protection of the Homeland (CESPPA).

•González López is responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, or has participated in, directly or indirectly, significant acts of violence or conduct that constitutes a serious abuse or violation of human rights, including against persons involved in antigovernment protests in Venezuela in or since February 2014. As Director General of SEBIN, he was associated with the surveillance of Venezuelan government opposition leaders.

•Under the direction of González López, SEBIN has had a prominent role in the repressive actions against the civil population during the protests in Venezuela. In addition to causing numerous injuries, the personnel of SEBIN have committed hundreds of forced entries and extrajudicial detentions in Venezuela.


3. Justo José Noguera Pietri: President of the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana (CVG), a state-owned entity, and former General Commander of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB).

•Noguera Pietri is a former leader of the GNB, an entity whose members have engaged in significant acts of violence or conduct that constitutes a serious abuse or violation of human rights, including against persons involved in antigovernment protests in Venezuela in or since February 2014. In various cities in Venezuela, members of the GNB used excessive force to repress protestors and journalists, including severe physical violence, sexual assault, and firearms.


4. Katherine Nayarith Haringhton Padron: national level prosecutor of the 20th District Office of Venezuela’s Public Ministry.

•Haringhton Padron, in her capacity as a prosecutor, has charged several opposition members, including former National Assembly legislator Maria Corina Machado and, as of February 2015, Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma Diaz, with the crime of conspiracy related to alleged assassination/coup plots based on implausible - and in some cases fabricated - information. The evidence used in support of the charges against Machado and others was, at least in part, based on fraudulent emails.


5. Manuel Eduardo Pérez Urdaneta: Director of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Police.

•Pérez Urdaneta is a current leader of the Bolivarian National Police, an entity whose members have engaged in significant acts of violence or conduct that constitutes a serious abuse or violation of human rights, including against persons involved in antigovernment protests in Venezuela in or since February 2014. For example, members of the National Police used severe physical force against peaceful protesters and journalists in various cities in Venezuela, including firing live ammunition.


6. Manuel Gregorio Bernal Martínez : Chief of the 31st Armored Brigade of Caracas of Venezuela’s Bolivarian Army and former Director General of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).

•Bernal Martínez was the head of SEBIN on February 12, 2014, when officials fired their weapons on protestors killing two individuals near the Attorney General’s Office.


7. Miguel Alcides Vivas Landino: Inspector General of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and former Commander of the Strategic Region for the Integral Defense (REDI) of the Andes Region of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces.

• Vivas Landino is responsible for or complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, or has participated in, directly or indirectly, significant acts of violence or conduct that constitutes a serious abuse or violation of human rights, including against persons involved in antigovernment protests in Venezuela in or since February 2014.

[JaneyVee]

77. Fuck those guys.

[Comrade Grumpy]

107. When do we sanction the NYPD, the Ferguson PD, etc?

[bananas]

114. Obama Declares America A Threat To U.S. National Security. nt

[bananas]

115. And the Banksters, too. nt

[Scootaloo]

128. Don't go getting sanctimonious now... n/t

[markpkessinger]

130. Not to mention Bibi! n/t

[ND-Dem]

132. or dozens of US allies with similar or worse records than venzuela? the "list" is a joke.

[JustAnotherGen]

140. OFAC SDN Link

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20150309.aspx

[LittleBlue]

8. Let me check............

Yes, they have oil. No, it isn't controlled by us.

THREAT!!!!!!!!

(In b4 the government's rapid response team floods the thread with justifications)

[msanthrope]

10. It targets 7 individuals---listed above. Tell us which one you think has been wrongly targeted. nt

[SidDithers]

16. You won't get an answer...

the perpetually outraged will be too busy wiping the outrage spittle from their monitors, as they ramp up for another round of...



Sid

[LittleBlue]

19. Post 17

This is an American issue. Not sure what concern this is of Canada.

[msanthrope]

31. I note no one wants to discuss the 7 actually targeted.......nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

90. I note no one can say how Venezuela is a threat to the national security of the US.

President Obama said it is. How?

Are the seven sanctioned really, really bad guys? Maybe.

Is Venezuela a threat to the national security of the US?

Oh, yeah. It tried to overthrow the elected government in Washington in a coup. Oh, wait. Got that backwards. Sorry.

Oh, yeah. It spent millions of dollars trying to subvert American democracy. Oh, wait. Got that backwards. Sorry.

But it's just the law of the land, you say. Did Obama attempt to veto that bill so he wouldn't be forced into uttering lies in order to punish Venezuela? I don't know. Do you?

[treestar]

116. It appears he said those 7 people are, not "Venezuela."

[ND-Dem]

133. +100. they put money in our banks! oh no!

[LittleBlue]

17. When does the Saudi royal family make it on that list

Those 7 combined could never come close to equalling what King Abdullah, and his family members, did during his reign, and are still doing today.

No Chinese officials either.

Point is, our concern about human rights is largely political. If a smaller oil country plays ball, they can behead people in the streets. If they don't, like Venezuela, suddenly we are interested in human rights.

You know it, I know it, it's no secret to anyone.

[msanthrope]

20. I hope they make it tomorrow. Elect a Congress that will do it. nt

[LittleBlue]

23. LMAO. No congress will do it

Because ...... they play ball!

Did you read what I wrote? Our concern isn't human rights, it's replacing those who won't cooperate (particularly on resource extraction) with those who will.

[msanthrope]

25. You know, I'm pretty good with those 7 miscreants not being able to do business in the United States

or traveling here. Should Saudi Arabia have similar laws against it? Absolutely. But you don't stop the good because you didn't get the perfect.

[LittleBlue]

35. I would be fine with it if our reasons were pure

They're not. It's solely because they have immense oil reserves and they won't cooperate. Surely you feel just the slightest bit icky knowing the reality of why we punish Venezuela but not Saudi Arabia.

[treestar]

117. Maybe none of those individuals

have done similar things. It's the individuals who are listed, not the countries.

[leveymg]

41. If this were the only thing we've done to make life difficult for the Venezuelan gov't, it might be

proportional to the recent order to reduce the US Embassy staff. Do I need to explain what I mean by that?

[msanthrope]

43. I'm sure you'll tell us which of the 7 is wrongly targeted. nt

[TheKentuckian]

99. Everyone of them. Bad people isn't not the same as posing a threat to our national security.

What is that you think you posted about those seven that is a threat to the security of the people of the United States?

[mike_c]

104. you keep asking that, but I think you're missing the point....

What makes these seven people national security threats to the U.S.? Are any of them targeting U.S. nationals? In what way? Are any of them operating in the U.S.? Are any of them conspiring against the U.S.? How? What is the national security threat HERE?

I'm not "defending" any of them. I'm wondering how they threaten my security in the United States.

[msanthrope]

13. I've given you the 7 individuals targeted by the EO which implements an Act of Congress. Can you

please

1) Tell us which of the 7 is wrongly targeted, or,
2) Provide legal justification as to why the President should not follow the laws of Congress on this occasion?

Because, otherwise, it seems like the President is doing his job.

[Cha]

121. Crickets.. they'd rather just be outraged .. not get into the pesky details.

[elias49]

15. That's outrageous!

Is Venezuela to be bundled in with the "axis of evil' next?
I don't understand...

[msanthrope]

18. The President, following the laws of Congress, enacts an EO that targets 7 individuals?

I've given the names of the targets upthread.....

who has been wrongly targeted?

[leveymg]

44. In itself, pfft. In the context of more than a decade of destabilization, it's another step toward

regime change. These things don't just happen all at once, do they?

[msanthrope]

46. Again......look at that list of 7 individuals. Tell me which one you think

should not be targeted, or alternatively, is going to bring down Maduro's regime.

[leveymg]

64. As I said, State Dept, is playing tit-for-tat. But, your question isn't really relevant to the

larger question of why the US has been destabilizing Venezuela for more than a decade. Is it?

[Rex]

70. Two reasons, OPEC and Russia.

Also the CIA never being able to stop fucking up other countries for whatever nefarious (but patriotic wink wink) purpose.

[Doctor_J]

24. This is nothing like when Bush does it!

Just like the continuation/escalation in the middle east is nothing like when Bush does it! This is way different! Venezuela could attack any minute!

[msanthrope]

27. There are 7 individuals targeted, listed above, pursuant to 2014 legislation. Can you tell me

1) Which individual is wrongly targeted, or,
2) Why the President should not follow the 2014 legislation?

Yeah--it is different from Bush. Here we have a President actually following the law.

[leveymg]

45. The question doesn't deserve an answer. Nobody answered it. The bigger US policy is the problem.

We'll be glad to engage on that one.

[COLGATE4]

76. Who is the "we" in the "We'll be glad to engage"?

Do you have a mouse in your pocket?

[leveymg]

80. That's between me and the mouse on my desk. ;-)

The one in my pocket speaks Spanish, which I haven't completely mastered.

Hello, Sr. Speedy

[Scuba]

26. Any and every state that practices socialism is a threat to the American way of life.

At least according to the capitalists who own our government.

[msanthrope]

30. There are 7 targeted individuals listed above..why would you call what they practice "socialism?" nt

[leveymg]

49. It's redistributionist. Doesn't give back enough to Exxon-Mobil Corp.

You are correct. Venezuela isn't Cuba - it has something we really want, other than nice beaches and classic American cars.

[Doctor_J]

47. Especially ones with oil

Last edited Mon Mar 9, 2015, 04:50 PM - Edit history (1)

or other resources that God says belong to the US.

[Octafish]

28. Oil.

Muchisimo petroleo.

[Rex]

50. Nah, I thought about that...we are about to run out of room for our own supply.

I think this is tough talk aimed at a much bigger country (indirectly) that also has a defacto dictator. You have to admit the guy running Venezuela now ain't no Hugo Chavez.

[leveymg]

51. More than Saudi Arabia, and it's closer, and isn't defended by suicide bombers.

[bahrbearian]

89. Maybe to drive the prices UP? Shell and BP say thanks.

[Octafish]

102. War works to put a crimp in the hose...

1967...
1973...
1991...
2003...
2015...

Multiplies the value of the oil's holders.



No wonder they can afford to give away such bling.

[Comrade Grumpy]

32. Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) responds negatively.

http://venezuelablog.tumblr.com/

Executive Order on Venezuela: WOLA’s Response
WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde Offers His Take on Targeted Sanctions

(Note: this post is adapted from a letter to the press. For the original, please visit: WOLA.org)

Today, President Obama released an Executive Order implementing and expanding targeted U.S. sanctions on seven Venezuelan individuals. WOLA’s Senior Fellow David Smilde is currently on the ground in Caracas, and issued the following quote in response to the announcement. Please feel free to use any parts of his quote in your reporting.

From Professor Smilde:

“The way to address the difficult human rights situation in Venezuela is through constructive multilateral efforts by allies in the region who are better positioned to engage the country. Unilateral U.S. sanctions, even targeted ones, will be counterproductive, especially when couched in the language of a ‘national emergency.’ These measures will only help Nicolas Maduro portray his country’s crisis as the result of a confrontation between Venezuela and the United States rather than a result of his failed policies.”

For more information on these ongoing regional efforts, please see this March 4 letter addressed to an UNASUR delegation that traveled to Venezuela over the weekend to address the situation there.

David Smilde, moderator of the blog, is a WOLA Senior Fellow and the Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations at Tulane University. He has lived in or worked on Venezuela since 1992. He is co-editor of Venezuela's Bolivarian Democracy: Participation, Politics and Culture under Chávez (Duke 2011).

[Comrade Grumpy]

33. Council on Hemispheric Affairs says this is stupid and counterproductive.

Mods: This can be reprinted in whole. See last paragraph.

http://www.coha.org/the-council-on-hemispheric-affairs-opposes-u-s-intervention-in-venezuela-and-calls-for-a-resumption-of-full-diplomatic-relations-with-caracas/

THE COUNCIL ON HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS OPPOSES U.S. INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA AND CALLS FOR A RESUMPTION OF FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH CARACAS
February 26, 2015 · by COHA · in CELAC, United States, Venezuela
By: Larry Birns, Director of COHA, and COHA Senior Research Fellows Frederick B. Mills, Professor of Philosophy at Bowie State University, and Ronn Pineo, Professor and Chair, Department of History at Towson University

The Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) urges the Obama administration to alter its course from its increasingly belligerent foreign policy towards the government of Venezuela to one of constructive exchange with Caracas. Despite the very tense present ties between the two hemispheric nations, President Nicolas Maduro remains open to a relationship of mutual respect with Washington. President Obama should consider reciprocating.

U.S. support for the right-wing opposition in Venezuela, most infamously during the 2002 coup attempt against then-president Hugo Chávez, has been extraordinarily counter-productive, providing legitimacy to President Maduro’s claims of continued U.S. meddling. The U.S. sanctions recently set into place against Venezuelan governmental leaders, and the continued U.S. financing of political groups and organizations in the Venezuelan opposition now have added fuel to strong anti-imperialist sentiments throughout the region.

The sanctions rightly earned the condemnation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (CELAC), which have repudiated foreign interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela. This comes at a time when CELAC nations are re-examining their ties to the United States, looking at other options for trade and for arms supplies, and forging stronger economic and strategic links with China and Russia. The Obama Administration’s policies toward Caracas are harming U.S. interests in Venezuela and across the region.

The election of President Obama in 2008 had inspired an expectation in the region that the U.S. would abandon its Monroe Doctrine policies, which had led to the overthrow of democratically elected governments that had not met Washington’s ideological requirements. The U.S. was widely and correctly perceived in the region as having played a role in the disappearances, torture, and murders of political opponents of the 1970s and 1980s. But these were mainly crimes of prior presidents, and Obama had the chance to create new U.S. moral standing the region.

He failed. Despite repeated promises, Obama has yet to close Guantanamo. In 2009 the Obama administration supported a golpista regime that emerged after a coup against the democratically elected President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya; this policy brought further dismay in the Americas. It constituted a return to Washington’s interventionist policies, carried out by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who supported the coup-driven government in Honduras in 2009. Even the usually timid Organization of American States condemned the coup and post-coup government. Disappointingly, the Obama administration’s intensification of the adversarial relationship with the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela is fully consistent with this ill-conceived policy direction.

Since President Hugo Chavez’s first electoral victory in 1998, the U.S. has provided support for regime change in Caracas, funneling U.S. AID and National Endowment for Democracy funds to right-wing Venezuelan opposition organizations, with an additional $5.5 million proposed for FY 2016. The Bolivarian revolution had offended Washington officials at least in two key policy areas: the push back against neoliberalism and the leadership of the late President Hugo Chávez in the cause of Latin American independence and integration.

In April 2002 the U.S. provided de facto recognition for a short-lived coup regime that came to power by overthrowing the democratically elected Chávez government. During that coup all of Venezuela’s democratic institutions were suspended, including the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution. The head of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce (Fedecamaras), Pedro Carmona Estanga, claimed the presidency, a term in office that lasted two days. The coup was reversed by an unprecedented popular manifestation of support for the constitutional government and the deployment of the predominantly loyal Bolivarian Armed Forces.

Since that time, the U.S. has continued to support some of the same figures from the right-wing opposition that were involved in the deeply unpopular and anti-democratic coup attempt in 2002. Elements of the ultra-right are still bent on extra-constitutional regime change when democratic procedures do not go their way. However, this opposition is presently divided, lacks popular support, and does not present a viable democratic alternative to the elected constitutional government. The upcoming legislative elections present a legitimate means of increasing political influence on governance. In the face of ongoing attempts to overthrow the government, including terrorist attacks, assassinations, sabotage, coup plots and escalating U.S. hostility, the Bolivarian Armed Forces have made it very clear that they remain loyal to the Bolivarian Republic and will defend the constitutional order.

During the past decade the U.S. has indulged in episodic adversarial relations with one chosen foe or another that does not adhere to Washington’s enthusiasm for neoliberal economic principles, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, as well as Argentina. But from Athens to Caracas, there are a growing number of democracies that are calling the neoliberal model into question. On February 20, 2015, White House spokesman Josh Earnest, commenting on yet another round of possible sanctions against Caracas, said, “The Treasury Department and the State Department are closely monitoring this situation and are considering tools that may be available that can better steer the Venezuelan government in the direction that they believe they should be headed.” The Obama administration’s attempt to “steer” Caracas away from a project that has lifted millions of Venezuelans out of poverty, is a violation of that nation’s right to democratic self-determination and a menace to the 200-year old struggle by Latin America to gain authentic independence.

U.S. policy ought to engage in diplomatic and commercial relations with its southern neighbors based on respect for the diverse forms of governance to be found in the region, including left and left of center ones, rather than intransigent insistence on the adoption of the free market gospel. The U.S. would be well advised that the destruction of democratic institutions, however imperfect those institutions may be in Venezuela, risks setting loose a spiral of violence and death in a region that has pledged itself to establishing a zone of peace. Washington ought to immediately lift the outrageously smug and certainly arbitrary sanctions to cease any form of support for the ultra-right, provocative segment of the opposition, and begin the process of rapprochement with Caracas. It is still not too late for President Obama to arrive at the Summit of the Americas in Panama this April as a peace-maker, for if he continues with the current policies, he should expect to be coolly received by other democratic leaders in Latin America.

By: Larry Birns, Director of COHA, and COHA Senior Research Fellows Frederick B. Mills, Professor of Philosophy at Bowie State University, and Ronn Pineo, Professor and Chair, Department of History at Towson University

Please accept this article as a free contribution from COHA, but if re-posting, please afford authorial and institutional attribution. Exclusive rights can be negotiated. For additional news and analysis on Latin America, please go to: LatinNews.com and Rights Action.

[TBF]

36. I thought ISIS was the big threat

It's hard to keep up some days.

[TwilightGardener]

52. I doubt they're truly a threat--it's more that they have to have national security

invoked as an issue before we can impose sanctions.

[Rex]

48. The new guy ain't no Hugo Chavez.

Arresting reporters and detaining them sounds like something that only happens in this town called Ferguson, USA; but yeah it does happen in other places.

The leader of Venezuela basically like the leader of Ukraine, made himself the defacto dictator, er president.

[leveymg]

55. That's what they're counting on in Foggy Bottom and Langley.

And both Chavez and Maduro were elected, like Salvador Allende. Bad precedents. But, we have been trying to protect people from democracy since Nixon, haven't we?

[Rex]

56. No we've been fighting socialism from gaining a hold on consumers.

They might all get together and boycott or something. Yes both were elected, but did Chavez declare it best if he stay in power, 'for the good of the people'? Also, Maduro is much more likely to go along with corporate interests.

Probably why Chavez...you know...had to go away.

[leveymg]

61. Chavez died of cancer.

That made him "go away." Maduro is with the same party, and was also elected. What makes you say Maduro is "much more likely to go along?"

[Rex]

66. Sorry but since CIA head William Casey 'died from cancer' at a very convenient time for the Reagan WH

I've been suspect of hearing that about political rivals. Kinda like Leaping Off Foggy Bottom for no apparent reason.

Yeah I got issues, learning about JFK fucked me up and Reagan just pushed me over the edge.

[leveymg]

69. Oh! That is true about Casey, particularly the timing. Same thing with the Shah's ultimate demise.

There are probably a dozen other instances we can come up with where medical conditions have conveniently played into the game plan. I think we're reading from the same hymn book.

[Rex]

72. Always have been as far as I know.

Hard to pass that stuff up when you use critical thinking skills in everyday life and not just huge major decisions. I notice you do that too a lot. I think it is just habit for some of us, while others just merely exist. I do have empathy for people like that.

Just imagine leveymg...the horror of just merely existing in your one shot (as far as we know) at life!? Never asking a single question or looking up at the star filled sky! Wondering, pondering, reflecting or even merely thinking outside the box? I pity people like that.

You know I might even be gutzy enough to add Saddam to that list...though he was going to go out eventually.

[leveymg]

82. On the other hand, as you know, it's a curse to have to figure things out for yourself.

Takes time and energy from other things most people consider important in this world. But, there are many kinds of relative poverty, and I prefer the one I chose. Not really sure it was a choice or a curse. Any opinion on that?

[Rex]

83. Yes and the procrastination that sets in at times can be killer.

Nope, I think I know exactly what you mean. Sounds like we are almost in the same boat.

[leveymg]

85. Took a "working vacation" from this place last year.

Was trying to avoid distractions. Might do it again.

[johnnyreb]

95. I noticed that.

Seemed like some really good posts sunk, then you were gone awhile. It's good to break if you manage to get refreshed, but I'm some guy in South Carolina who is glad to see you around.

[elias49]

108. That was fortuitous, yes?

I have this vague memory that he was out on a boating trip when he died. Is my mind going?

[malaise]

53. Any sovereign state that stands up to the US bully is a threat

That is all

[Rex]

57. I always thought we were going to give up being World Police in the next century.

Growing up, I figured eventually everyone would be so pissed off at us it would be easier to let the UN be World Police. Looks like empire made it into the next century...yay...

[malaise]

65. All empires eventually self destruct

That's the harsh truth - human beings never learn.

[Rex]

68. But some last a thousand years, which is a long time in human years.

Humans DO learn, they just choose to do the wrong thing. They know what is right and wrong, but take the wrong thing out of whatever vice they secretly covet imo.

[Marr]

103. Oh, I'd say we've learned a lot.

The design of the US empire is pretty brilliant. It's glued together with debt, so it's all incredibly malleable and stealthy. The guns only come out when one of our fiefdoms doesn't play along.

[malaise]

120. You know you have a point

:

[treestar]

118. How do the 7 individuals named "stand up to the US bully?"

We are to approve their actions as "standing up to the US bully?"

[ND-Dem]

135. what *are* their actions, exactly, especially the ones that threaten our national security?

all I've heard so far is they might put some money in our banking system.

oooh, scary....

[treestar]

139. OK, defend these people

and their actions.

[CountAllVotes]

60. sure ...

Why not? Every other place out there is a likely suspect as well.

The War on Terrorism goes on and on and on and on and on and on .....

[BainsBane]

71. hmm. It's a big late to try to relaunch the Monroe Doctrine.

That ship has sailed. The sun is setting on the US's Latin American empire.

[Maedhros]

73. It's merely a formality.

Now that the Colombian "Narco-Terrorists" are no longer in play, we need a placeholder in South America in case we want to throw our weight around down there.

[fadedrose]

93. I think the Republicans in Congress are a greater threat...

If they screw up the Geneva talks, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, and France will be mad enough to go to war with the United States...

[99th_Monkey]

100. +100 nt

[ND-Dem]

105. us economy: 16.8 trillion. Vz: 438 billion. Yes, indeedy, Vz is soooo threatening with its

economy that's about 2.5% of ours.

[L0oniX]

111. Finally ...someone else realizes that accordions from Venezuela are ruining the US polka scene.

[ND-Dem]

136. lol. i thought you were kidding but there really is a venezuelan polka scene.

Description:

The Venezuelan polka is a hall dance that has its origin in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century and arrived to Venezuela in the middle of that century.

Polka has not been recognized like a Venezuelan sort, but many composers have loaded it with Venezuelan characteristics. The bands that consolidated the polka at the end of the 19th century occupied to integrate in their repertoire these compositions, guaranteeing the life of the polka in the country.

For the time that arrived the polka to Venezuela, the hall dances constituted the most important entertainments for the ladies of the high society, which was organized by musical turns that were made up generally of waltzes, polka, danzas and other pieces like mazurca, were executed with a rhythmical character different from the European dances. In these hall dances although occur at the time that the social structure of the colony was conserved, attenuated the differences between white people, creole people and afro-Venezuelan people. These last ones accompanied the ladies to the dance, observing their steps and later practicing them. This attitude has been one of the reasons of the incorporation of polka and other sorts to the popular tradition.

The popular polka is cultivated fundamentally in center the west and the Andes, making it present in the instrumental ambient of popular dances and many traditional celebrations throughout Venezuela

http://pages.rediff.com/venezuelan-polka/1139414

[L0oniX]

137. Fear the terrorist polka!

[ND-Dem]

138. aeeeiiiii!!

[Zorra]

119. In other words, Venezuela refuses capitalist ownership of its government and people,

and this makes them an enemy of the WTO that must be forced into compliance with the global economic program, cuz all that oil and cheap labor belongs to the global 1%.


For more information, see "History of Cuba".

The global power of the financial centers is so great, that they can afford not to worry about the political tendency of those who hold power in a nation, if the economic program (in other words, the role that nation has in the global economic megaprogram) remains unaltered. The financial disciplines impose themselves upon the different colors of the world political spectrum in regards to the government of any nation. he great world power can tolerate a leftist government in any part of the world, as long as the government does not take measures that go against the needs of the world financial centers. But in no way will it tolerate that an alternative economic, political and social organization consolidate. For the megapolitics, the national politics are dwarfed and submit to the dict ates of the financial centers. It will be this way until the dwarfs rebel . .

http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/mexico/ezln/1997/jigsaw.html

[KoKo]

122. What's With Obama on this?

He Gives with One Hand and Takes Away with Another?

How could he go back to the NeoCon position on America Owning South America? He was seeming to do Good recently being cautious...but he now backtracks.

WHY?