In case you missed it and want to have a laugh, here's Elliott Abrams trying to explain to journalists how Guaidó is president of Venezuela but is also not president of Venezuela - and is all very logical to him. Schrödinger's Presidente! 
Venezuela: Resistance or disintegration?
- Thread starter jhonny
- Start date
How audacious is that, yet I suppose they have so many pre framed photos of their
angelburst29
The Living Force
Guaido's Chief of Staff is a complete SLOB - unless this was done during a Police search?
Venezuela detains top aide to Guaido in move U.S. calls 'big mistake'
'
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Thursday intelligence agents had detained his chief of staff during a pre-dawn raid, a move by President Nicolas Maduro that the Trump administration said would "not go unanswered."
Venezuela's Guaido says arrest of aide shows Maduro's weakness
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said arrest of his chief of staff by intelligence agents earlier on Thursday was a sign of weakness by President Nicolas Maduro's government.
Venezuela opposition legislator says he was not arrested by intelligence agents
Venezuelan opposition legislator Sergio Vergara said on Thursday he had not been arrested by intelligence agents who raided his house before dawn.
Trump adviser Bolton vows action after Guaido aide detained in Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser called for the immediate release of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff on Thursday, saying his detention would "not go unanswered."
U.S.'s Bolton warns Venezuela's Maduro: 'The window is closing'
President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his allies would be "strangled financially" if they continued to hold onto power.
Latam critics of Venezuela's Maduro meet in Chile; try to launch regional bloc
South American leaders will meet in Chile this week in hopes of forming a new regional bloc to replace Unasur, which was launched by Venezuela's late socialist leader Hugo Chavez but has splintered over his country's crisis under his embattled successor, President Nicolas Maduro.
IMF still seeking member views on Venezuela leader recognition: spokesman
The International Monetary Fund is still awaiting guidance from its members on whether to recognize Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's leader, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday, adding there is no schedule for an IMF board meeting to decide the issue.
U.S. senators call on Venezuela to release jailed Citgo executives
U.S. Republican Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn on Thursday pressed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to release six executives from Houston-based oil company Citgo Petroleum that have been in jail in the country since 2017.
U.S. court allows Venezuela's Guaido to argue in Crystallex case
A U.S. judge has ruled that Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's representatives can present arguments in a court battle with Canadian mining company Crystallex International Corp, a boost to his efforts to retain control of the country's overseas assets.
Venezuela detains top aide to Guaido in move U.S. calls 'big mistake'
'
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Thursday intelligence agents had detained his chief of staff during a pre-dawn raid, a move by President Nicolas Maduro that the Trump administration said would "not go unanswered."
Venezuela's Guaido says arrest of aide shows Maduro's weakness
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said arrest of his chief of staff by intelligence agents earlier on Thursday was a sign of weakness by President Nicolas Maduro's government.
Venezuela opposition legislator says he was not arrested by intelligence agents
Venezuelan opposition legislator Sergio Vergara said on Thursday he had not been arrested by intelligence agents who raided his house before dawn.
Trump adviser Bolton vows action after Guaido aide detained in Venezuela
U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser called for the immediate release of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff on Thursday, saying his detention would "not go unanswered."
U.S.'s Bolton warns Venezuela's Maduro: 'The window is closing'
President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his allies would be "strangled financially" if they continued to hold onto power.
Latam critics of Venezuela's Maduro meet in Chile; try to launch regional bloc
South American leaders will meet in Chile this week in hopes of forming a new regional bloc to replace Unasur, which was launched by Venezuela's late socialist leader Hugo Chavez but has splintered over his country's crisis under his embattled successor, President Nicolas Maduro.
IMF still seeking member views on Venezuela leader recognition: spokesman
The International Monetary Fund is still awaiting guidance from its members on whether to recognize Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's leader, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday, adding there is no schedule for an IMF board meeting to decide the issue.
U.S. senators call on Venezuela to release jailed Citgo executives
U.S. Republican Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn on Thursday pressed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to release six executives from Houston-based oil company Citgo Petroleum that have been in jail in the country since 2017.
U.S. court allows Venezuela's Guaido to argue in Crystallex case
A U.S. judge has ruled that Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's representatives can present arguments in a court battle with Canadian mining company Crystallex International Corp, a boost to his efforts to retain control of the country's overseas assets.
It seems so .... although, arrested by earlier morning + (images of turned upside down department), make things unclear, as if they do not have enough propaganda against.
‘Armed terrorist cell’: Venezuela’s Interior Minister confirms arrest of Guaido’s aide
angelburst29
The Living Force
I'm getting the impression - Bolton, Pompeo and Pence's worse fear - is that Maduro will start rounding up the opposition leader's including Guaido? Without Guaido parading around like a prize-bull, his support will diminish. The US fails at another Coup.
U.S. warns of 'consequences' after Venezuela detains Guaido top aide
The United States on Thursday warned of "consequences" against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's security services if they continue with a crackdown against opposition leader Juan Guaido and his aides.
Venezuelan government accuses detained Guaido aide of planning attacks
Venezuela's interior minister said on Thursday that authorities had arrested opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff for his involvement in an alleged "terrorist cell" that was planning attacks against high-level political figures.
Venezuela, China in focus for Trump meeting with Caribbean leaders
Trump will meet with leaders from the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The response to OPEC-member Venezuela’s political crisis has split the members of the Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM.
The organization has officially advocated for talks between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Guaido. Most of its members have rejected resolutions by the Organization of American States supporting Guaido.
The Caribbean region has long relied on oil and gas from Venezuela, which offered cheap financing through a program called Petrocaribe, though shipments have declined in recent years because of production problems at Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA.
The tensions put at risk regional efforts to try to capitalize on deepwater oil and gas exploration, said Anthony Bryan, a Caribbean energy expert and associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
CARICOM is the body that speaks for energy sustainability in the region. But if you start dividing the states - as apparently an attempt is being made to do - then you, in a sense, almost sabotage from the very beginning that unity that is necessary,” Bryan said in an interview.
Exclusive: U.S. threatens to derail meeting of Latam lender if China bars Venezuela
The United States on Thursday threatened to pull out of the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in China next week if Beijing refuses to allow a representative of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to attend.
U.S. warns of 'consequences' after Venezuela detains Guaido top aide
The United States on Thursday warned of "consequences" against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's security services if they continue with a crackdown against opposition leader Juan Guaido and his aides.
Venezuelan government accuses detained Guaido aide of planning attacks
Venezuela's interior minister said on Thursday that authorities had arrested opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff for his involvement in an alleged "terrorist cell" that was planning attacks against high-level political figures.
Venezuela, China in focus for Trump meeting with Caribbean leaders
Trump will meet with leaders from the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Saint Lucia at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The response to OPEC-member Venezuela’s political crisis has split the members of the Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM.
The organization has officially advocated for talks between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Guaido. Most of its members have rejected resolutions by the Organization of American States supporting Guaido.
The Caribbean region has long relied on oil and gas from Venezuela, which offered cheap financing through a program called Petrocaribe, though shipments have declined in recent years because of production problems at Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA.
The tensions put at risk regional efforts to try to capitalize on deepwater oil and gas exploration, said Anthony Bryan, a Caribbean energy expert and associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
CARICOM is the body that speaks for energy sustainability in the region. But if you start dividing the states - as apparently an attempt is being made to do - then you, in a sense, almost sabotage from the very beginning that unity that is necessary,” Bryan said in an interview.
Exclusive: U.S. threatens to derail meeting of Latam lender if China bars Venezuela
The United States on Thursday threatened to pull out of the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in China next week if Beijing refuses to allow a representative of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to attend.
Almost like living on another planet isn't it...how can we not feel something for the misery we see?
Session 22 October 1994:
angelburst29
The Living Force
These two - make a good pair - both are delusional?
Wife of Venezuelan opposition leader to Maduro: 'Enough already!'
The wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido had a brief message for President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, following the arrest of her husband's chief of staff this week: "Enough already."
Venezuela's Guaido says Maduro is in his final phase
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration has reached its final stage and there will soon be a change in government, opposition leader Juan Guaido said, adding that his allies have spoken with high-ranking military members about changing sides.
Wife of Venezuelan opposition leader to Maduro: 'Enough already!'
The wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido had a brief message for President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, following the arrest of her husband's chief of staff this week: "Enough already."
Venezuela's Guaido says Maduro is in his final phase
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration has reached its final stage and there will soon be a change in government, opposition leader Juan Guaido said, adding that his allies have spoken with high-ranking military members about changing sides.
angelburst29
The Living Force
Reuter's news outlet is featuring this article:
March 24, 2019 - Russian air force planes land in Venezuela carrying troops: report
Two Russian air force planes landed in Venezuela’s main airport on Saturday carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops, according to a local journalist, amid strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow.
A flight-tracking website showed that two planes left from a Russian military airport bound for Caracas on Friday, and another flight-tracking site showed that one plane left Caracas on Sunday.
The report comes three months after the two nations held military exercises on Venezuelan soil that President Nicolas Maduro called a sign of strengthening relations, but which Washington criticized as Russian encroachment in the region.
Reporter Javier Mayorca wrote on Twitter on Saturday that the first plane carried Vasily Tonkoshkurov, chief of staff of the ground forces, adding that the second was a cargo plane carrying 35 tonnes of material.
From Russian news agency - TASS:
March 24, 2019 - Venezuelan president says opposition’s plot to kill him foiled
Venezuelan president says opposition’s plot to kill him foiled
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro © AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Nicolas Maduro also called the opposition’s leader Juan Guaido "devil’s puppet".
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said the country’s security forces have foiled a plan to assassinate him masterminded personally by the opposition’s leader Juan Guaido.
"The North American imperialism wants to kill me. We have just exposed a plan to kill me, which was personally led by the devil’s puppet [Guaido]," Maduro said, noting that the prosecutors had made serious progress in investigating this case and would soon start arresting "new terrorists."
Earlier this week, Venezuelan authorities arrested Roberto Marrero, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff, on charges of organizing a terrorist cell and conspiring to assassinate politicians and military officials.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said that "combat weapons" and a large sum of money in foreign currencies was discovered when Marrero’s home was searched. The United States and the Lima Group countries condemned the politician’s arrest and the European Union demanded his immediate release.
Plot to kill Maduro - The attempt to kill the Venezuelan president with the use of drones took place as he was delivering a speech in the capital Caracas on August 4, 2018. The drones were shot down, but seven law enforcement officers were wounded. Maduro and senior officials of the country were not injured.
Maduro accused Venezuelan ultra-right in alliance with Colombian ultra-right, and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. The Colombian Foreign Ministry dismissed Maduro’s accusations as absurd.
Several dozens of people were charged with the failed assassination attempt and many of them are behind bars.
March 24, 2019 - Over $30 billion seized from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in two months — minister
Over $30 billion seized from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in two months — minister
© AP Photo/Fernando Llano
More than $30 billion disappeared from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in the past two months, Venezuelan Minister for Communication and Information Jorge Rodgriguez told reporters in Caracas.
"In the past two months, over $30 billion were stolen," he was quoted as saying by Venezuela’s state TV. The official accused Washington of ordering to seize Venezuela’s assets.
"Assets, which Venezuela has in various banks, are being withdrawn. This is carried out under direct orders from the [US President Donald Trump’s] administration," he said.
The minister’s statement came shortly after opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself the country’s acting president in January, said that in an interview to Reuters that "the diplomatic pressure [on the country’s government] has worked, the economic pressure and the pressure on assets have worked." "They [Maduro’s government] are isolated, alone, they are falling apart day by day," he added.
March 24, 2019 - Caracas Says +$30bln Stolen from Venezuela ‘at Trump’s Request’
Farsnews
Rodriguez has lambasted the country’s opposition for pocketing a billion dollars in government funds held in US banks.
Earlier this month, Maduro accused the Venezuelan opposition and US authorities of being eager to start a war for natural resources.
“No one should let themselves be fooled! The Venezuelan opposition and the US government do not want to help the country. On the contrary, they want to seize our natural resources. They want to unleash an ‘oil war’ to invade our homeland and rule here!
But they will fail!" he tweeted.
March 24, 2019 - Russian air force planes land in Venezuela carrying troops: report
Two Russian air force planes landed in Venezuela’s main airport on Saturday carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops, according to a local journalist, amid strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow.
A flight-tracking website showed that two planes left from a Russian military airport bound for Caracas on Friday, and another flight-tracking site showed that one plane left Caracas on Sunday.
The report comes three months after the two nations held military exercises on Venezuelan soil that President Nicolas Maduro called a sign of strengthening relations, but which Washington criticized as Russian encroachment in the region.
Reporter Javier Mayorca wrote on Twitter on Saturday that the first plane carried Vasily Tonkoshkurov, chief of staff of the ground forces, adding that the second was a cargo plane carrying 35 tonnes of material.
From Russian news agency - TASS:
March 24, 2019 - Venezuelan president says opposition’s plot to kill him foiled
Venezuelan president says opposition’s plot to kill him foiled
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro © AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
Nicolas Maduro also called the opposition’s leader Juan Guaido "devil’s puppet".
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said the country’s security forces have foiled a plan to assassinate him masterminded personally by the opposition’s leader Juan Guaido.
"The North American imperialism wants to kill me. We have just exposed a plan to kill me, which was personally led by the devil’s puppet [Guaido]," Maduro said, noting that the prosecutors had made serious progress in investigating this case and would soon start arresting "new terrorists."
Earlier this week, Venezuelan authorities arrested Roberto Marrero, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's chief of staff, on charges of organizing a terrorist cell and conspiring to assassinate politicians and military officials.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said that "combat weapons" and a large sum of money in foreign currencies was discovered when Marrero’s home was searched. The United States and the Lima Group countries condemned the politician’s arrest and the European Union demanded his immediate release.
Plot to kill Maduro - The attempt to kill the Venezuelan president with the use of drones took place as he was delivering a speech in the capital Caracas on August 4, 2018. The drones were shot down, but seven law enforcement officers were wounded. Maduro and senior officials of the country were not injured.
Maduro accused Venezuelan ultra-right in alliance with Colombian ultra-right, and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. The Colombian Foreign Ministry dismissed Maduro’s accusations as absurd.
Several dozens of people were charged with the failed assassination attempt and many of them are behind bars.
March 24, 2019 - Over $30 billion seized from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in two months — minister
Over $30 billion seized from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in two months — minister
© AP Photo/Fernando Llano
More than $30 billion disappeared from Venezuela’s foreign accounts in the past two months, Venezuelan Minister for Communication and Information Jorge Rodgriguez told reporters in Caracas.
"In the past two months, over $30 billion were stolen," he was quoted as saying by Venezuela’s state TV. The official accused Washington of ordering to seize Venezuela’s assets.
"Assets, which Venezuela has in various banks, are being withdrawn. This is carried out under direct orders from the [US President Donald Trump’s] administration," he said.
The minister’s statement came shortly after opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself the country’s acting president in January, said that in an interview to Reuters that "the diplomatic pressure [on the country’s government] has worked, the economic pressure and the pressure on assets have worked." "They [Maduro’s government] are isolated, alone, they are falling apart day by day," he added.
March 24, 2019 - Caracas Says +$30bln Stolen from Venezuela ‘at Trump’s Request’
Farsnews
Rodriguez has lambasted the country’s opposition for pocketing a billion dollars in government funds held in US banks.
Earlier this month, Maduro accused the Venezuelan opposition and US authorities of being eager to start a war for natural resources.
“No one should let themselves be fooled! The Venezuelan opposition and the US government do not want to help the country. On the contrary, they want to seize our natural resources. They want to unleash an ‘oil war’ to invade our homeland and rule here!
But they will fail!" he tweeted.
The Venezuelan military has deployed more S-300 air defense missiles to a key airbase south of Caracas, after Russian military personnel arrived in the country.
Venezuelan military deploys S-300 missiles to airbase south of Caracas (PHOTO)
2019-03-25
US 'Won't Stand Idly By as Russia Exacerbates Tensions in Venezuela' - Pompeo
25.03.2019
angelburst29
The Living Force
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Washington’s attempts to stage a coup in Venezuela are a blatant interference in the country’s domestic affairs, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Monday following Lavrov-Pompeo phone call.
March 25, 2019 - Lavrov tells Pompeo attempts to stage coup in Venezuela violate UN Charter
Lavrov tells Pompeo attempts to stage coup in Venezuela violate UN Charter
"Lavrov emphasized that Washington’s attempts to stage a coup in Venezuela and threats against its legitimate government were a violation of the UN Charter and blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state," the ministry noted.
Second blackout in a month hits Venezuela, cutting power to Caracas
Lights went out across much of Venezuela, including many areas of the capital city of Caracas on Monday, according to Reuters witnesses, less than two weeks after power was restored following a prolonged blackout.
Venezuela says electrical system was victim of an attack
Venezuela's main hydroelectric dam was the subject of an attack, Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday, several hours after power went out in much of the country in the second major blackout this month.
U.S. calls Russia deployment of planes to Venezuela 'reckless escalation'
The United States on Monday accused Russia of "reckless escalation" of the situation in Venezuela by deploying military planes and personnel to the crisis-stricken South American nation that Washington has hit with crippling sanctions.
March 25, 2019 - Lavrov tells Pompeo attempts to stage coup in Venezuela violate UN Charter
Lavrov tells Pompeo attempts to stage coup in Venezuela violate UN Charter
"Lavrov emphasized that Washington’s attempts to stage a coup in Venezuela and threats against its legitimate government were a violation of the UN Charter and blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state," the ministry noted.
Second blackout in a month hits Venezuela, cutting power to Caracas
Lights went out across much of Venezuela, including many areas of the capital city of Caracas on Monday, according to Reuters witnesses, less than two weeks after power was restored following a prolonged blackout.
Venezuela says electrical system was victim of an attack
Venezuela's main hydroelectric dam was the subject of an attack, Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday, several hours after power went out in much of the country in the second major blackout this month.
U.S. calls Russia deployment of planes to Venezuela 'reckless escalation'
The United States on Monday accused Russia of "reckless escalation" of the situation in Venezuela by deploying military planes and personnel to the crisis-stricken South American nation that Washington has hit with crippling sanctions.
The "polite armed men in green" are visiting Venezuela with gifts. Wonderful! This was rundown was on SOTT today:
Russia gives US a red line in Venezuela then pulls a Syria: S-300 missile batteries now up and active near Caracas
Apparently you don't mess with Sergei Ryabkov any more than you mess with Lavrov.
Thanks heron dancer.
No more Mr. Nice Guy approach from Russia. Direct force is the only thing psychopaths understand (whether residing in the U.S. , Israel or wherever). I think that Russia under Putin's leadership has come to see this from experience (especially in Syria).
SOTT article said:
I hope Russia's strategy continues to follow the one they have been using in Syria.
angelburst29
The Living Force
Elliott Abrams
© Russian Embassy Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
"For his part, Abrams sounded as if he had emerged from the meeting after having been given a severe reprimand."
Oh, too funny! How much do you want to bet - Abrams headed directly to the Cocktail Lounge?
March 26, 2019 - New blackout hits Venezuela, media reports
New blackout hits Venezuela, media reports
Venezuela has been left without power for the second time in 24 hours following an act of sabotage at the Simon Bolivar Hydroelectric Plant, the country’s Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said on Tuesday, as cited by the Venezolana de Television TV channel.
According to Rodriguez, the blackout was a result of "an attack on the Simon Bolivar Hydroelectric Plant" that took place on Monday night. "Power lines were damaged," the minister said.
March 26, 2019 - Bolton urges Russia to join global community to support Venezuelan people
Bolton urges Russia to join global community to support Venezuelan people
US National Security Adviser John Bolton urged Russia on Monday to join the global community to support the people of Venezuela.
"The United States sends food and medicine to help the people of Venezuela. Rather than sending nuclear-capable bombers and special forces to prop up a corrupt dictator, Russia should work with the international community to support the Venezuelan people," he wrote on Twitter.
Bolton added that "the United States will not tolerate hostile foreign military powers meddling with the Western Hemisphere’s shared goals of democracy, security, and the rule of law." "The Venezuelan military must stand with the people of Venezuela," he emphasized.