Among the leadership of both the Democrats and Republicans, the idea of
US-backed regime change in Venezuela enjoys broad support. After this
week’s failed coup, however, administration rhetoric is changing
harshly, and some other officials are expressing disquiet about it.
Not that there is any real suggestion of ditching support for Guaido
taking over. Instead, some Democrats are suggesting that the US should
focus on getting more unity behind US sanctions, stop threatening to
attack Venezuela, and importantly, to stop using rhetoric that the
Maduro government can use for its own propaganda.
This last point in particular is a recurring concern, which some South
American allies have warned the administration about for months. Maduro
has long relied on allegations of US plots against him as a way to
garner sympathy and support, and constant US talk of plotting against
him makes that all the easier.
Among Democrats, how to approach these disagreements is also varying.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) suggested the focus be on “internationalizing”
the sanctions, while Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) called for legislation
to explicitly express Congressional opposition to a US invasion of
Venezuela.
Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), on the other hand, suggested that the US
should emphasize that this is a popular uprising from within, and not a
US-driven regime change. That seems to be a broad assumption to make,
but he warned the White House should stop giving the appearance of it
being a US imposed move.
From Bob Menendez:
“The sanctions we have are unilateral. They’re important”, Menendez told reporters. But the United States should “internationalize” those sanctions, he said.
“Isolating Russia, Cuba, the bad actors in Venezuela. I think that would have changed the dynamics significantly”.
The only unity crumbling, it would seem, is what tactics should be used for regime change.
In DC, this is still as much about Cuba as it is about Venezuela. It is the Cuban expats and the politicians they’ve promoted who are front and center in this, like Rubio and Menendez.
How about the most easy solution: just leave Venezuela alone?
What a bunch of morons. No wonder America is so screwed up. Idiocracy it is.
This is a good thing though. Hopefully it doesn’t turn bloody.
This has always been the key difference between Democrats and Republicans on foreign policy: Republicans want to overthrow governments. Democrats want to overthrow governments with a smile. See the difference there? DEMOCRACY! Catch the fever….