Source: state.gov / AP /  U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The United States will withdraw all remaining American personnel from the U.S.  Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela this week, the Department of State announced.  “Like the January 24 decision to withdraw all dependents and reduce embassy staff to a minimum, this decision reflects the deteriorating situation in Venezuela as well as the conclusion that the presence of U.S. diplomatic staff at the embassy has become a constraint on U.S. policy,”  Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Monday.    The move by the U.S. to pull diplomatic staff out of Venezuela came as a surprise to many, as the Trump administration has staunchly supported the Latin American nation’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó ever since he boldly proclaimed he is the legitimate president of the country in January 2019 in a bid to oust President Nicholas Maduro. Venezuela is suffering from a widespread  five-day blackout,  that has impacted the nation’s people as well as US diplomats in day-to-day activities.

Secretary Of State Pompeo Blames Cuba and Russia for Propping Up Nicholas Maduro 

Credit: Credit: US Department of State / Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State

“First, Cuba. No nation has done more to sustain the death and daily misery of ordinary Venezuelans, including Venezuela’s military and their families, than the communists in Havana. Cuba is the true imperialist power in Venezuela. The Cuban government of Miguel Diaz-Canel provides political cover for Maduro and his henchmen so that they may stay in power. It’s Cuba that has offered Maduro its unwavering solidarity. It’s Cuba that calls Venezuela’s true government, led by Interim President Juan Guaido, which 54 of the world’s democratic nations recognize as a legitimate government – the Cubans call this a puppet government of the United States.”   

Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo

“Members of the Cuban military and intelligence services are deeply entrenched in the Venezuelan state,”  Pompeo asserted.

“Russia, too, has created this crisis. It, too, for its own reasons is thwarting the Venezuelan people’s legitimate democratic hopes and their dreams. Moscow, like Havana, continues to provide political cover to the Maduro regime while pressuring countries to disregard the democratic legitimacy of the Interim President Guaido.  It’s Russia – it’s Russia that vetoed the UN-sponsored resolution on Venezuela in the Secretary Council on February 28th. This UN Security Council resolution called for unhindered access in delivery of assistance to all those in need and supported the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.” 

Pompeo charged at a press conference Mar. 11, 2019.

The U.S. Secretary of State pointed out that currently some 50 nations have formally recognized Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaidó.   

However, it is worth noting that there are 195 Member States In the United Nations General Assembly, with only 50 supporting opposition leader Guaidó.   Critics note that this reality hardly gives the U.S. authority to impose its will on the Venezuelan people.

Meanwhile,  President Maduro Blames US Cyber Warfare For Crippling 5-day Blackout

Credit: Wikipedia / Venezuela President Nicholas Maudro 

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro blamed the United States and the opposition for starting what he called an “electricity war.”