The Trump administration is taking a big gamble. American diplomats in Venezuela have been told by Washington to stay in the country, even after being expelled by Nicolas Maduro, the president. Yesterday Donald Trump officially recognized Juan Guaido, the leader of the National Assembly, as president. Maduro then cut off diplomatic relations with Washington and ordered all U.S. diplomats out. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has declared that the U.S government will only work with Guaido.
London’s Independent newspaper says the action by Trump should be called for what it is, an undemocratic coup.
Opinion: Let’s call out Trump’s intervention in Venezuela for what it is – an undemocratic coup https://t.co/9nTDOfz5Pa
— The Independent (@Independent) January 24, 2019
But the immediate concern is the diplomats and their families. Politico reports that this decision has been met with criticism from former officials who believe the move is risky and it creates a potential hostage situation, or even another Benghazi, the American compound in Libya where in 2012, Islamic militants murdered a U.S. Ambassador.
The Trump administration’s decision to leave U.S. diplomats in Venezuela is drawing criticism from former officials who say it endangers American lives
https://t.co/BXFJi2ZwNw— POLITICO (@politico) January 24, 2019
Maduro still controls Venezuela’s security forces, which, according to The Washington Post, threatens Guaido and American diplomats. The U.S Embassy in Caracas has since issued a security alert advising government workers to restrict their movements to a few neighbourhoods and keep home any school-aged children.
https://twitter.com/rosenbergerlm/status/1088246309625176064
The move to keep U.S diplomats in Venezuela was met with some praise, notably from Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a fierce critic of Maduro’s regime. But others worry about what happens next. From The Guardian.
“If the military stays broadly loyal to Maduro, Trump and his hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, who has led the charge for regime change in Caracas, will have failed to meet the first, elementary requirement for successful coup-making: ensure the guys with the guns are on your side.”
Tisdall also brings up the threat of Russia and China, who stand behind Maduro; Moscow has condemned Guaido’s attempt to take over. A hostage situation and subsequent military intervention could bring them further into the conflict. But has anyone really thought this through?
“Maybe this is no surprise. Going off half-cock in crucial matters of foreign policy and international relations is a familiar characteristic of the Trump administration. Trump himself is demonstrably clueless about such matters.”