The crisis in Venenzuela continues to deteriorate as socialism collapses and dictator Nicolas Maduro refuses to step down from power.
Late Monday night, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo officially pulled all U.S. diplomats from the country. The White House is also watching closely.
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
Maduro's mismanagement and corruption has driven Venezuela into absolute suffering and collapse. The military should embrace Interim President Guaido’s sincere amnesty proposal, seize the opportunity for U.S. sanctions relief, and work towards democracy and reconstruction.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 11, 2019
Last night, Maduro made a desperate plea to groups of armed gangs, known as ‘colectivos’, to unleash violence against innocent civilians. The VZ military should uphold their obligation to protect the Constitution from Maduro’s usurpation and protect civilians from these thugs.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 12, 2019
Today, Pompeo gave a briefing at the State Department in Washington D.C. blasting the Maduro regime and the bad actors helping him. From the Washington Free Beacon:
Pompeo, in wide-ranging remarks to the press at the State Department, described Russia and Cuba as creating "a match from Hell" in Venezuela, where these countries continue to prop up Maduro and interfere with a series of aid packages spearheaded by the United States in the Trump administration's bid to see Interim President Juan Guaido assume power.
"This story is not complete without acknowledging the central role Cuba and Russia have played and continue to play in undermining the democratic dreams of the Venezuelan people and their welfare," Pompeo said, in some of his strongest and most direct comments to date on the situation.
Cuba and Russia, he said, continue to enable Maduro's most oppressive tactics, such as the torture and imprisonment of opposition figures, and are providing him with cover in international forums like the United Nations, where Russia recently blocked a measure to empower and aid opposition leaders looking to take down Maduro.
In addition, Special Representative to Venezuela Elliot Abrams gave a detailed update on the ongoing chaos inside the country.
Special Representative Elliott Abrams provides an update on the situation in #Venezuela. #EstamosUnidosVE pic.twitter.com/nv1sAhlHJE
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 12, 2019
Meanwhile a number of Democrats, including 2020 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, are backing Maduro.
