Putin Backs Maduro, As Kremlin Critics Cheer U.S. Support For Venezuela's Opposition

A man identifying himself as Venezuela’s military attache in Washington has broken with Nicolas Maduro and says he now will report to an opposition leader trying to wrest control of the government.

In a video published Saturday, Col. Jose Luis Silva called on other members of the military to join him in defecting from Maduro’s government, saying they need to avoid “attacking” protesters whose only aim is to feed themselves.

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originally posted by: dragonridr

originally posted by: Vector99
a reply to: Southern Guardian

Of course Putin backs him, he's getting a military base in Venezuela in return.

YES and China gave them money to get to their oil reserves. Between Russia and China he still has money coming in to prop up his government.

Exactly, he has foreign relations to keep him in power, whether that's best forthe people of Venezuela? Only time can answer that. I would expect in the coming months once Maduro had 100% secured the backing of Russia and China he will threaten to pull Venezuela from OPEC and stop accepting US dollars for oil. It all depends how much Russia and China are willing to invest there though, so we'll see

originally posted by: RalagaNarHallas
a reply to: Southern Guardian

UK locked down their gold reserves and is not letting them withdraw 1.2 billion in gold so its not just the USA messing with them www.cnn.com... 2019-01-26T18%3A30%3A28&utm_term=link

London (CNN)The Bank of England has blocked Nicolas Maduro's officials from withdrawing $1.2 billion worth of gold, Bloomberg reported, dealing a further blow to the embattled Venezuelan President as he tries to salvage his authority. According to the report, which cites unnamed people familiar with the matter, the gold is a significant part of the $8 billion in foreign reserves held by the Venezuelan central bank.

we asked them to do it though but its roughly 1/8th of their foreign reserves

Food shortages are widespread, grocery store shelves are bare, and many people say they do not have enough food to eat. The public health system has collapsed, which means many cannot get the medicine they need.

International intervention for countries experiencing economic crisis often involves leadership changes to facilitate better alignment with the aiding countries. Venezuela is divided as to the political fault for the crisis but they may just be running out of reserve capital?

Mexico backs Maduro as well.

Everyone seems to leave that out when bringing up Russia and Turkey in all this.

a reply to: Southern Guardian

Great, a military base, active russian presence... well I guess the US government can't talk.

Agreed - we've got no room to talk

I just can't shake this feeling that we're watching in real time a world where everyone is scrambling to pee on their desired territories

China props them up as well.

originally posted by: AtlasHawk
Its only matter of time before Russia starts intervening in Venezuela just to hit back at America/NATO for expanding near Russia's borders.

It will happen.

Let them, then their broke ass non-G10 economy will go even lower, it's like the Cold War Redux where they spend themselves into oblivion. Buh-bye Comrades.

a reply to: AtlasHawk

America should stop being the world police force.

Its intrested in nations with oil.