Venezuela Announces Anti-US Coup Coalition

by Stephen Lendman

Last September, Trump claimed Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro "could be toppled very quickly by the military if the military decides to do that" - falsely expecting things to play out this way.

Last summer, he pressed aides about intervening militarily. Then secretary of state Tillerson and NSA HR McMaster now replaced opposed the idea.

Days earlier, John Bolton tweeted: "It's time for Maduro to get out of the way." Separately, he urged Venezuelan generals to defect, along with threatening Maduro with internment at Guantanamo.

On February 12, he tweeted: "It is time for the Venezuelan military high command to stand alongside its people, not with Maduro's Cuban patrons."

The vast majority of Venezuelans oppose foreign interference. They're notably against military intervention.

Another Bolton tweet said: "The US will consider sanctions off-ramps for any Venezuelan senior military officer that stands for democracy (sic) and recognizes the constitutional government (sic) of…Juan Guaido.

"If not, the international financial circle will be closed off completely. Make the right choice!"

"Those who conspire (sic) with Maduro to destroy Venezuela's democratic institutions (sic) will continue to face consequences."

Things haven't gone as planned for Trump regime hardliners. Over three weeks after they expected Maduro to fall quickly, he remains Venezuela's democratically elected president, resisting US efforts to topple him.

Around three-fourths of world nations either publicly support him or haven't recognized US-designated usurper in waiting Guaido, a figure with no legitimacy, a traitor to his country - complicit with the Trump regime, wanting US-controlled tyranny replacing social democracy.

On Thursday, Venezuelan  Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza introduced an anti-US coup coalition of over 50 nations, supporting the nation's sovereignty and democratic governance, notably including Russia and China, Arreaza saying:

"Today we are announcing an important group of nations concerned about the need to retain respect for the founding principles of the UN Charter." 

"We believe that these principles are being violated. We all have the right to live without the threat of force." 

Coalition nations will be conducting "a series of actions to increase awareness around the dangers that our peoples currently face, particularly the case of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." 

"We call upon all the member states of the UN to join us in defending international law as the only guarantor of…peaceful coexistence."

"The US has blocked our economy of $30 billion…and they are sending humanitarian aid of $20 million?" 

The Trump regime is "choking you, killing you and now saying 'I am giving you a cookie' " - while stealing the country's wealth and holding its population hostage to its imperial aims, wanting Venezuela returned to US client state status, its democratic governance destroyed.

Separately, Russia's UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia slammed Trump regime "hotheads (plotting) military action" against Venezuela.

"We are categorically against it," Nebenzia added, citing "international law and the UN Charter," - leaving unexplained whether Moscow intends intervening in a way similar to how it's combatting US-supported terrorism in Syria. Rhetorical support accomplishes nothing.

Maduro denounced the threat of possible US belligerence against his country, saying "the US president threatened to pursue a military invasion of Venezuela. I am asking the peoples of the world to express their solidarity" against his imperial aims.

There's no ambiguity about Trump regime tactics against Venezuela, wanting its economy crushed so ordinary people will suffer hugely, hoping they and the country's military will abandon Maduro - the plan failing so far.

Bolton warned other countries against buying Venezuela oil in response to its oil minister Manuel Quevedo visiting India, aiming to increase oil sales to the country, saying:

"We have a good relationship with India, and we want to continue this relationship. The relationships with India will continue. The trade will continue, and we will simply expand all the trade and relationship."

On Thursday, spokesman for its External Affairs Ministry said "Venezuela is the chair of OPEC and GECF (Gas Exporting Countries Forum)." 

"We don't have any barter system with Venezuela. Commercial considerations and related factors will determine the value of trade which we have with any country."

Along with China, India is a key buyer of Venezuelan oil, importing over 400,000 bpd. On January 25, its government issued the following statement, saying:

"We are of the view that it is for the people of Venezuela to find political solution to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence."  

"We believe democracy, peace and security in Venezuela are of paramount importance for the progress and prosperity of the people of Venezuela. India and Venezuela enjoy close and cordial relations."

On Friday, Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered legal action against 15 individuals Guaido unlawfully appointed to the board of directors of PDVSA's US CITGO affiliate company.

The High Court ruled that these figures should be prosecuted for "usurpation, corruption, organized crime, and terrorism" against the sovereign state.

It initiated a process to extradite them to Venezuela, along with freezing their accounts in the country. Most of them live in the US, free from prosecution for betraying their country.

The High Court also banned Guaido from leaving Venezuela, freezing his assets, ruling government appointed officials are the only legitimate ones.

Separately, Maduro confirmed that Foreign Minister Arreaza met privately with Elliott Abrams, Trump's point man for regime change in the country.

It's unclear what Maduro hoped to accomplish. Diplomatic outreach to Washington accomplishes nothing. Arreaza achieved nothing. His effort showed weakness, not strength.

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