Trump State of the Union Hosts Guaido, Talks Change in Latin America

Democrats join in standing ovation for Venezuelan opposition leader

President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday did not offer substantive discussion of US foreign policy, but he did invite Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, singling him out in the audience to talk up the US determination to see him installed into power. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the Democrats all joined in giving Guaido a standing ovation.

Trump’s talk of moves in the hemisphere started with chiding “Socialist dictators” in Cuba and Nicaragua, as well as Venezuela. Trump said he is leading 58 nations united against Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro, and assuring Guaido that “all Americans” remain united in support of him, and of “freedom.”

Trump further emphasized the general US spending on the American military, saying $2 trillion had been spent, and declaring the reconstruction of the US military to have been already achieved.

On top of this, Trump emphasized the creation of the US Space Force, the first new branch of the US military in generations. Trump insisted the new capability was “so important,” and introduced a young student who he said has interest in joining the US Air Force with an eye on becoming part of Space Force.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.