Trump Threatens Blockade of Venezuela, Sino/Russian Support for Maduro

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Trump regime war on Venezuela by other means rages. It's all about wanting its social democracy eliminated, gaining another imperial trophy, along with control over its vast oil reserves, the world's largest.

In early August, Trump was asked if he's considering a blockade of the country. "Yes, I am," he responded.

Neocon hardliner Bolton threatened (illegal) Trump regime sanctions on nations, entities and individuals "who provide support or goods or services to any designated person, including the government of Venezuela."

Blockades are acts of war. Attacking nations preemptively flagrantly violates the UN Charter, what the US, NATO, and their imperial allies do time and again.

Maduro slammed Trump's hostile remark, saying it "says a lot about (his regime's) desperation in the face of the dignity of the Venezuelan people," adding:

"Criminal imperialism will not cope with Venezuela. The waters of Venezuela will be free, sovereign and independent." 

"We will sail there the way we chose to. Get ready for a fight if you" try to blockade the country. The Bolivarian Republic will continue resisting US aggression.

Russia and China maintain normal political, economic, trade, and military relations with Venezuela — respecting Nicolas Maduro as the country's legitimate president.

Following a July 18 - 21 meeting of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states in Caracas, attended by hundreds of delegates, a statement affirmed support for the Bolivarian Republic, UN Charter principles, and other international law — opposing hostile Trump regime actions against Venezuela.

After Russian and Venezuelan defense ministers met in Moscow, a military agreement between both countries was signed, Tass saying:

"The agreement between the governments of Russia and Venezuela stipulates visits by military ships to the ports of both countries."

It affirms "bilateral military and military-technical cooperation" — notably as a way to counter Trump regime war on Venezuela by other means.

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said the Kremlin is "closely following the events taking place in Venezuela."

He "note(d) the unprecedented pressure of Washington aimed at destabilizing the situation in (the) country."

He stressed continued Russian support for Maduro in "pursuing an independent foreign policy and counteracting US attempts to change the legitimately-elected government."

He denounced "external interference (by the US)," calling it "unacceptable."

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said both countries "maintain a dynamic and strong relationship."

Russia continues to deploy specialists to Venezuela as part of its "military-technical cooperation" since 2001.

In response to the Trump regime's illegal embargo on the country, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying denounced the move, calling it "gross interference in Venezuela's internal affairs…severely violating basic norms governing international relations."

"China-Venezuela cooperation will go on as usual no matter how the situation changes," she added. 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the Trump regime embargo "economic terrorism," defying the rule of law, adding:

Its hardliners "miscalculated the level of popular support for the legitimate president and his readiness to defend the genuine independence of his country." 

The Trump regime is "relying on efforts to aggravate the socioeconomic situation (by) enforcing brutal indiscriminate restrictions…"

In July, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said "(w)e will continue our multifaceted efforts on developing partner relations with brotherly Venezuela." 

"We will continue to implement projects in various areas, to hold events within the existing agreements that would strengthen the military potential of this country's armed forces."

"Reports concerning Russia's military presence in Venezuela have been debunked many times." 

"I would like to stress once again that this concerns maintenance of equipment delivered there" — facilitating the development and readiness of the country's military.

All nations free from US control are on its target list for regime change, including Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Venezuela.

Its favored strategies are preemptive wars, color revolutions and old-fashioned coups.

Independent leaders and other officials are vulnerable to assassination by CIA hitmen. 

Imperialism isn't pretty. It's all about seeking unchallenged dominance by brute force.

Since establishment of the Bolivarian Republic in late 1999, US regimes aimed to return the country to client state status — wanting its social democracy eliminated and control gained over its oil and other resources.

Its ruling authorities and vast majority of its people want US dirty hands kept off their country.

They want the right to run their own affairs, free from foreign interference as international law mandates.

The Trump regime's coup plot to topple Bolivarian rule failed. Its war by other means on the country continues unabated — opposed by most countries.

Few have backbone enough to challenge US viciousness, Russia and China notable exceptions.

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