A.G. Gancarski
Both of Florida’s Senators have been proponents of regime change in Venezuela but have been frustrated by an inability to achieve objectives.
Though the President has given mixed signals, both Marco Rubio and Rick Scott found something to celebrate by the close of business Thursday.
Sen. Rubio’s press shop spotlighted an extended inquiry with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which the Senator secured verbal assurances that the State Department was committed to movement in the situation in Caracas.
Rubio pressed Pompeo, an ally on most issues, regarding the President’s speech and intentions on the future of Nicolas Maduro.
“There have been press reports, speculations, commentators and the like that have made much about recent allegations — and in one case, an interview the President gave, in which they took from it that the President would be willing to engage in negotiations with Maduro and the Maduro regime in Venezuela.”
“As you understand our policy — being in the position that you’re in — could you envision, as long as this Administration is in office, we would ever negotiate with the Maduro regime for them to remain in power?”
Pompeo replied: “Absolutely not. Our policy is not to negotiate [with] them for anything other than his departure from ruling that country.”
Given that the President, per one account, called opposition leader Juan Guaidó “the Beto O’Rourke of Venezuela,” those words may not be fully reassuring.
“Guaidó was elected. I think that I wasn’t necessarily in favor, but I said — some people that liked it, some people didn’t. I was OK with it. I don’t think it was — you know, I don’t think it was very meaningful one way or the other,” Trump told Axios earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott, who has messaged like Rubio on the need for definitive resolution on the Venezuelan impasse, likewise extolled Pompeo Thursday.
“Glad the Administration remains committed to holding those who support Maduro’s murderous regime accountable. We can’t allow allies of oppressive dictators to enter the US,” Scott tweeted, regarding a decision to block entry to former Maduro officials.
Venezuelan leadership has been a problem for the United States for the entire 21st century, with Maduro and his predecessor/mentor Hugo Chavez frustrating American objectives in the region. History tells us that whatever the American rhetorical posture, change is more complicated than well-crafted statements.
4 comments
Sheila
July 30, 2020 at 9:23 pm
Newbies in Panama City Beach does not serve food. It is a full blown bar open to 4am. There will be an live band there Friday and Saturday from 9pm to midnight. I called the police and they informed me that they could be open at 50%. But my understanding of the governors orders, especially since they don’t serve food, they cannot be open. Panama City Beach’s Mayor has even stated that he will not enforce any mask rules. Panama City Beach is packed with tourists at this time
Leisa
July 31, 2020 at 10:18 pm
Not optimistic for Venezuelans. The U.S. needs to stay the heck out democratically elected countries and stop destroying their economies and killing their citizens with sanctions.
Frankie
July 31, 2020 at 10:38 pm
The point is that he was not democratically elected. He stole the elections. Asked the millions that had fled the country. At least 1.5M here in the United States.
Brian
August 1, 2020 at 5:02 am
Maduro was not democratically elected. Maduro is a complete fraud. Even Smartmatic, the company that manufactured the voting machines used in his illegitimate “snap” Presidential election in 2018 have denounced Maduro in a public statement on their website.
Look it up. Google “Smartmatic Maduro” and read 😉
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