Posted on 08/19/2019 9:28:03 PM PDT by hapnHal
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The U.S. has opened up secret communications with Venezuela’s socialist party boss as members of President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle seek guarantees they won’t face retribution if they cede to growing demands to remove him, a senior U.S. administration official has told The Associated Press.
Diosdado Cabello, who is considered the most-powerful man in Venezuela after Maduro, met last month in Caracas with someone who is in close contact with the Trump administration, said the official. A second meeting is in the works but has not yet taken place.
The AP is withholding the intermediary’s name and details of the encounter with Cabello out of concern the person could suffer reprisals. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the talks, which are still preliminary. It’s not clear whether the talks have Maduro’s approval or not.
Cabello, 56, is a major power broker inside Venezuela, who has seen his influence in the government and security forces expand as Maduro’s grip on power has weakened. But he’s also been accused by U.S. officials of being behind massive corruption, drug trafficking and even death threats against a sitting U.S. senator.
The administration official said that under no circumstances is the U.S. looking to prop up Cabello or pave the way for him to substitute Maduro. Instead, the goal of the outreach is to ratchet up pressure on the regime by contributing to the knife fight the U.S. believes is taking place behind the scenes among competing circles of power within the ruling party.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Shh! It’s a secret.
No news from Venezuela. Riots and protests gone? Immigrants fleeing country? Well..........
All the Dem candidates and AOC will so saddened if we act to rid Venezuela of socialism and restore it to its former capitalist glory.
Guess it ain’t so secret anymore.
Lately they have created articles to claim all manner of things Trump thinks, fears, etc. Amazing access they have to his inner thoughts.
Guessing this is some fake news by the US to try to save face with their failed coup. Did they ever find the $70 million that Guaido’s cronies seem to have lost?
Oh, well, it’s just chump change provided by US taxpayers.
I feel so blessed to help finance regime change wars
... that made me smile.
AP trying to get Cabello killed and keep Maduro in power. 100% treason.
“AP trying to get Cabello killed and keep Maduro in power. 100% treason.”
We’d have to do a lot more than force regime change and restore it t its form capitalist glory.
I assume once a democratic and capitalistic government was in place, trade agreements could help them.
A Reciprocal one.
“once a democratic and capitalistic government was in place......”
>
Democratic government in Venezuela? It wouldn’t be long for left wingers to be back in power.
Sounds like a CIA leak of fake news to get Maduro to purge everyone around him because he can’t be sure who the rat is. CIA induced Paranoia, anyone?
Democratic elected Presidente. It’s they’re problem.
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