On February 18th, US President Donald Trump warned the Venezuelan military personnel still supporting President Nicolas Maduro that they will “lose everything,” during an address in Miami, Florida.
We are here to proclaim that a new day is coming in Latin America. In Venezuela and across the Western Hemisphere, Socialism is DYING – and liberty, prosperity, and democracy are being REBORN…https://t.co/hPL5W48Pmg
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 18, 2019
He also urged every member of the “Maduro regime” to “LET YOUR PEOPLE GO.”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1097625026801688579
He also once more claimed that more than 50 countries recognize “the rightful government of Venezuela,” despite Maduro’s claim that the number is much lower.
Today more than 50 countries around the world now recognize the rightful government of Venezuela. The Venezuelan people have spoken and the world has heard their voice. They are turning the page on Socialism and Dictatorship; and there will be NO GOING BACK! pic.twitter.com/C3DL5RFfiE
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2019
US National Security Adviser John Bolton also propagated Trump’s claims. He once more claimed that “Maduro’s cronies” live lavishly, while the Venezuelan people suffer.
President Trump highlighted how the families of Maduro’s cronies live lavishly in Europe and the Caribbean, while Maduro issues orders to impede humanitarian aid for Venezuelans. We know who and where these officials and their families are.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 18, 2019
He also reiterated the support of all “peace-loving nations” who are ready and willing to help Venezuela “reclaim its democracy, its dignity, its destiny.”
Nicolas Maduro responded to Trump on national television.
“Who is the commander of the armed forces, Donald Trump from Miami?” Maduro asked.
“Donald Trump wants to prohibit ideologies, political diversity, and impose a single thought of the supremacy of the White House (…) They want to impose a colonial model, either we think like Donald Trump and like the gringos, or we are nothing (…) They want to enslave us.”
He also likened the Trump administration’s policy to “Nazi-style discourse.”
Also, following Trump’s address Maduro responded in a tweet, claiming that the time for war is over and that “the empire in its madness” is blind to that.
The empire in its madness, does not understand that the time of the gunships, the coups and interventions is over now. It is a time of independence, of national pride, of people´s power and of a free and sovereign Republic. We will defend Peace! pic.twitter.com/oHe85yPtAR
— Nicolás Maduro (@maduro_en) February 19, 2019
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla also condemned Trump’s words. In a Tweet he slammed the POTUS’ “offensive speech” and threat of military aggression.
Ofensivo discurso del Presidente de #EEUU en Miami confirma la amenaza de una agresión militar contra #Venezuela. Es la hora de pronunciarse, por encima de diferencias políticas, en defensa de la #Paz. La ayuda humanitaria es un pretexto para una guerra de despojo del petróleo.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) February 18, 2019
In addition, Vice President of Communication, Culture and Tourism, Jorge Rodriguez announced that teleSUR TV will organize a concert on February 22nd and 23rd at the Simon Bolivar bridge at the border with Columbia. The event will be organized by Maduro’s government.
Venezuelan artists will perform in a “Hands off Venezuela Concert” and free medicine and boxes of food will be given out to citizens.
RT @PresidencialVen: #EnVivo | Declarations of the Vice President of Communication, Culture and Tourism, Jorge Rodriguez from the Simón Bolívar Press Room of Miraflores Palace https://t.co/Bd2dYslRI0
— Nicolás Maduro (@maduro_en) February 19, 2019
RT @ VTVcanal8: #VIDEO | Venezuelan artists will perform in a concert for peace on Simón Bolívar International Bridge while the National Government will take free medical attention and 20,000 Clap boxes to # Cúcuta on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 […] https://t.co/UqUSZit7pP
— Nicolás Maduro (@maduro_en) February 19, 2019
This also coincides with the deadline announced by US-Proclaimed Interim President Juan Guaido as the moment of entry of the US humanitarian aid.
Also on February 18th, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera announced that he and Columbian President Ivan Duque will visit Cucuta, at the Columbian border with Venezuela to personally oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid from Chile on February 22nd.
Venezuela y su pueblo necesitan apoyo internacional para recuperar su libertad y democracia. Con el Presidente @IvanDuque estaremos este viernes en Cúcuta entregando ayuda humanitaria a quienes llevan años sufriendo crisis causada por la dictadura #AvalanchaHumanitaria @jguaido
— Sebastian Piñera (@sebastianpinera) February 18, 2019
“Venezuela and its people need international support to regain their freedom and democracy. With the President @IvanDuque we will be on Friday in Cúcuta delivering humanitarian aid to those who have been suffering crisis caused by the dictatorship #AvalanchaHumanitaria @jguaido”
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