MABURRO vs. DRUMPF (Part Four)

 Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks the end of the week that President Drumpf gave the Venezuelan President to clear out. I think that I will lose my bet (with myself only) that Drumpf will not order any type of invasion to remove the Donkey. I say this because this morning a private plane from Cuba carrying 4 Cubans blew up over Maiquetia (the international airport of Caracas). There is little doubt in my mind that this private plane was blown up by an American drone strike. I mean, how often does a small private plane blow up? And carrying 4 Cubans as well? Clearly, the Yanks mean business.

I have lost my bet (with myself only). I had bet myself that Drumpf, fearing international and  South American responses, would conclude that it was too risky and not in the best interests of the united States to invade Venezuela. After all, countries don't have friends - they have interests! That approximately 80% of Venezuelans want to see the Donkey gone is also irrelevant.

Well,  we'll see what happens next. I can't say that I will be sorry to see Maburro gone. He has (with not little help from the Cubans) managed to destroy the richest country in South America and caused one third of the country's population of approximately 30 million people to migrate. Can you imagine how traumatic it must feel awful to believe that you have no real choice other than to leave your family and friends behind?

No. Much as I dislike the American President, he has my full support if he removes Maburro.

MABURRO vs DRUMPF (Part Three)

 My Venezuelan wife showed me two news reports out of South America this morning. Because my Spanish is not that good she translated both for me. 

Thr first one dealt with the arrest and imprisonment (without a trial) of a teacher who had apparently disciplined a  child who was the son of a high ranking official in Maburro's government (the misspelling is deliberate). Please note: NO TRIAL!

The second one dealt with the arrest and detention of several young people (again without trial) who had dared to be physically present in a demonstration against the  Donkey when he stole the Presidential elections in Venezuela.

My wife's point in our conversation was that despite the wrongdoings of the Donkey, the North American press as     well as the English press is absolutely silent on these wrongs.

Obviously, American President Drumpf is aware of what Maburro -with the active help of the Cubans - i is doing. He has hung his hat on the drug issue (which Maburro is also guilty of) and will probably invade Venezuela. The vase majority of Venezuelans will be only too happy when that occurs

By the way, I challenge the Donkey to sue me in Trinidad  for defamation. I can prove that he is a crook and that every thing that I have said is true. There is no way that I would be stupid enough to submit myself to the whims and fancies of the Donkey's corrupt regime.

MABURRO vs, DRUMPF (Part Two)

 It is now crystal clear that President Drumpf wants to get rid of President Maburro (the misspelling of of both names is deliberate) and will order the invasion of Venezuela very soon, Drumpf is probably being advised not to do this, that there is a large probability that regime change - no matter haw awful Maburro's regime is - and it is awful - there could be unintended consequences, such as an even worse regime gaining power.

You have to remember that countries don't have friends - they only have interests. Drumpf is going to have to explain sooner or later why he felt that it was in his country's interest to remove Maburro. Frankly, the drug argument  is not a very good reason. And a majority of migrants will not return so that argument too will not work. I am acutely aware that no right thinking person can or even should support the Donkey. But  attention has to be paid to the consequences of his removal by external force from another country.

We would then be saying in essence that if the American President - whoever he or she might be - he/she would have the right to interfere with the will of the people of whatever country that may have annoyed the particular President.

Here in T&T we're going to have to be very careful. Our problem is that Rowley's PNM openly sided with Maburro and supported the Donkey even when it was not in our interests to do so. Kamla, in contrast, has openly supported the Americans  where it might not have been terribly wise to do so. That there will be consequences for Drumpf's coming invasion of Venezuela is clear. What these consequences will be for us  is not so clear.