Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: a polarized political environment, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
Blessed, powerful, historic moment: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-23/venezuelans-heed-call-to-hit-streets-with-maduro-under-pressure - Maduro regime withering on the vine, on the brink, facing Hades on the River Styx, every metaphor you can think of rolled into one. A formal (good gads!) recognition by the US of opposition leader Juan Guaido https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-23/trump-said-to-intend-to-recognize-guaido-as-venezuela-president followed by Canada https://www.kamsacktimes.com/canada-endorses-venezuelan-opposition-leader-as-interim-president-1.23609995, followed shortly by the European Continent and, you can be sure, coming next, virtually the rest of South and Central America.
A worldwide flood of condemnation and direct action soon to wash the Maduro regime into the Caribbean Sea - maybe within the year, maybe in a few months, or maybe (if favored with a smile and a wink by Jove and the Seven Sisters) within a few days!
Blessed, powerful, historic moment: [Link] - Maduro regime withering on the vine, on the brink, facing Hades on the River Styx, every metaphor you can think of rolled into one. A formal (good gads!) recognition by the US of opposition leader Juan Guaido [Link] followed by Canada [Link] followed shortly by the European Continent and, you can be sure, coming next, virtually the rest of South and Central America.
A worldwide flood of condemnation and direct action soon to wash the Maduro regime into the Caribbean Sea - maybe within the year, maybe in a few months, or maybe (if favored with a smile and a wink by Jove and the Seven Sisters) within a few days!
Britain, Germany, France and Spain throw themselves full-throttle into the recognition machine https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-europe/major-european-countries-poised-to-recognize-venezuelas-guaido-idUSKCN1PK0D6 now an unstoppable, air-breathing combustion engine in a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti going 150 miles an hour. Bravo and all speed ahead!
A world of ignominy and millenia-long opprobrium to Maduro's zealous protectors - China, Cuba, Russia, Nicaragua, Columbia and Turkey's satrap - Authoritarians and wannabe authoritarians all.
Britain, Germany, France and Spain throw themselves full-throttle into the recognition machine [Link] now an unstoppable, air-breathing combustion engine in a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti going 150 miles an hour. Bravo and all speed ahead!
A world of ignominy and millenia-long opprobrium to Maduro's zealous protectors - China, Cuba, Russia, Nicaragua, Columbia and Turkey's satrap - Authoritarians and wannabe authoritarians all.
Well, the really big shoe just dropped https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47036491 A U.S. oil embargo, which will result in an $11 billion gap in receivables, dashing China's and Russia's only hope that their ill-thought out, billion-dollar loans to Maduro would ever be returned, let alone bear fruit with fat interest payments. A country just millimeters away from declaring bankruptcy.
Well, the really big shoe just dropped [Link] A U.S. oil embargo, which will result in an $11 billion gap in receivables, dashing China's and Russia's only hope that their ill-thought out, billion-dollar loans to Maduro would ever be returned, let alone bear fruit with fat interest payments. A country just millimeters away from declaring bankruptcy.
You knew that this was coming: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-gold-exclusive/exclusive-venezuela-plans-to-fly-central-bank-gold-reserves-to-uae-source-idUSKCN1PP2QR Reptiles attempting to loot whatever pittance the people have left in Venezuela's treasury to bulk up Swiss bank accounts and refurbish chalets. An obvious sign that the rats are in a scurry before the eagles scoop them up.
Alas, Venezolanos, have no fear! À Nous la Liberté! To paraphrase a famous line of Basil Rathbone's in Robin Hood, your tormentors will be "dangling in a week."
You knew that this was coming: [Link] Reptiles attempting to loot whatever pittance the people have left in Venezuela's treasury to bulk up Swiss bank accounts and refurbish chalets. An obvious sign that the rats are in a scurry before the eagles scoop them up.
Alas, Venezolanos, have no fear! À Nous la Liberté! To paraphrase a famous line of Basil Rathbone's in Robin Hood, your tormentors will be "dangling in a week."
There's talk that Maduro's invited to depart in style, to enjoy life "on a beach somewhere" https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/as-maduro-digs-in-his-aides-hunt-for-an-emergency-escape-route#gs.tKFLbnLr How jolly. Maybe an all-expense paid sun-soaked tour along the Russian Black Sea Coast, courtesy of the treasury of Venezuela; or maybe a topless stroll holding hands with Castro-frère down Old Havana way?
How about surfing the waves along the Gran Canaria, or a cruise on the Bosphorus with fellow traveller Erdoğan? So much joy awaits our needy presidente. Wow!
Might I also suggest the land of Hades where he could sun bathe by hell-fire? Or how about Tartarus, where he could sit by a warm hell-pit and spend his days enjoying checkers with Rudolf Hess and John Wayne Gacy? There's also the nation wherein reigns King Beezelbub. He promises to give our excited little Maduro the warm, royal treatment he deserves!
There's talk that Maduro's invited to depart in style, to enjoy life "on a beach somewhere" [Link] How jolly. Maybe an all-expense paid sun-soaked tour along the Russian Black Sea Coast, courtesy of the treasury of Venezuela; or maybe a topless stroll holding hands with Castro-frère down Old Havana way?
How about surfing the waves along the Gran Canaria, or a cruise on the Bosphorus with fellow traveller Erdoğan? So much joy awaits our needy presidente. Wow!
Might I also suggest the land of Hades where he could sun bathe by hell-fire? Or how about Tartarus, where he could sit by a warm hell-pit and spend his days enjoying checkers with Rudolf Hess and John Wayne Gacy? There's also the nation wherein reigns King Beezelbub. He promises to give our excited little Maduro the warm, royal treatment he deserves!
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