Dolours, I am not weighing in Guaido. Hopefully, sometime in the future a fair election will be held once again in Venezuela and the people can choose a leader by voting for one fairly not like what occurred in the 2018 presidential election there. This is the most recent video that I am posting and just to be clear the USA has not intervened militarily in Venezuela and no one that I have heard of is advocating for that. March 10, 2019 Under Chavez the middle class began to feel pinched so to speak and some began leaving the country. Things gradually became worse a little while before Chavez died and then under Maduro everything fell apart. As opposed to reading about these things, the following two videos explain this. February 6, 2019 August 25, 2017 There are tons of videos online which depict how bad things are there, these are just a couple. July 21, 2017 November 28, 2017
Strange...some of you defending socialism. Which in fact is dictatorship. Venezuela was a test to take power and control of a country. And it worked. 1. Promise poor free education, universal health care and subsidized food. 2. Take away guns. 3. Begin taking away businesses when prices rise. 4. Pay military well 5. Get rid of court. 6. Continue elections and always win with 90% of vote. 7. Give all wealth to close friends of dictator. When money dries up...free stuff is not free. Blame US government for country going broke. Venezuela is a perfect example of what United States wants to do. Once country heads in that direction there is no going back. Little by little it creates more poor people until Nation is destroyed. Sad Sad Sad
Worth a read if you care about the law and the opinion of the independent expert who was sent to Venezuela to assess the situation. https://www.unwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/De-Zayas-report-on-Venezuela.pdf
UN Human Rights Council is a biased organization. US left organization. I will give a link to cnn and they are the most liberal and opinionated news group. https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/06/19/politics/haley-pompeo-human-rights-bias/index.html?r=https://duckduckgo.com/ And one from Fox most conservative media. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/li...vez-to-castro-leaders-who-lived-the-high-life Socialism is very dangerous Sad Sad Sad
Straw man Straw man Straw man. Hey, FS, newsflash; they are all biased. Can you explain why is it that you think anyone in this thread is advocating for socialism by pointing out the errors of a neocon foreign policy? I have seen no one here make any such claims.
All of this is prophetic. We need the Consecration of the World to the Immaculate Heart. We need a Great Monarch. We have Trump who is at the very least a praying man who is protecting life. What is all this fuss about? Maybe if I understood it better, I could comment. I know that some wars are just wars according to Catholic teaching. Some are not. But starving people are not what Our Lord wants, either. I expect a backlash and I probably will not be on this thread to sort it out. It's a dogfight, imho.
"Russia will spread its errors throughout the world." OL Fatima. If you believe in the messages of Garabandal, pretty much the same thing. What good can come out of such evils? Only God through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother can bring good out of this for the world. Sad that these things happen in countries where there is so much Catholicism, but even that is predictable, given the holiness that the world is trying to destroy by the day. It's really not about politics, is it? It's all about the apparent triumph of freemasonry and the waiting for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.
Don, Can you explain what the current neocon foreign policy is in regard to Venezuela that you are referring to? And, specifically which countries are currently involved in such a policy? By doing so, I think that you may be able to clear up some confusion on this thread. Thanks.
Your arguments are not based on facts. They are based on Neocon talking points. You should be ashamed for peddling war propaganda. Venezuela's recent economic woes started when Bush decided to support a coup against Chavez, followed by subsequent sanctions. Team Neocon's goal is regime change, not humanitarian relief or the welfare of Venezuela. "Bringing Democracy" means bringing Freemason-imposed regime change and the installation of a puppet-Predodent to steal Venezuela's wealth.
You are in a minority of one! You will not find any serious economist who will argue that sanctions were the cause of the economic crisis. You overplay the neocon card far too many times and are fast becoming a one-trick pony. Venezuela is the only oil producing country to ever have had hyperinflation! Because of poor governance and overspending. Utterly incompetent leadership in Chavez & Maduro. The pair of them could not even run a pub between them without bankrupting it within a fortnight! Socialists just don't make good economists as they always spend more than they earn. As a result of their incompetent economic policies Venezuela has one of the highest national debts in the world and the people go hungry whilst millions have fled elsewhere.
US SANCTIONS IN VENEZUELA: MORE BARK THAN BITE? The effectiveness of US sanctions is a matter of debate. Pre-August 2017 asset freezes targeted at specific Venezuelan individuals were intentionally narrow and largely symbolic. The amounts of money held up have not been disclosed and may well be modest. Financial sanctions imposed in August were, likewise, deliberately narrow, targeted, and intended go be fairly benign. Even as President Trump signed the executive order—which only affects US entities—in August 2017, he also issued licenses that effectively granted waivers to parties that could have been affected by the measures. While oil market participants have invoked the sanctions to back away from doing business in Venezuela, some discussants thought the measures merely provided them with an excuse for steps they would have taken anyway. New sanctions, including a ban on imports of Venezuelan crude, seemed—at the time of the meeting—unlikely in the absence of stronger congressional support, which thus far has been muted. https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/s...ures/CGEPCodeRedVenezuelaOilDebtCrises218.pdf
Venezuela suffered a 60 hour stoppage of electricity in the past few days in which at least 20 people, in one hospital alone, died because of hospital equipment failures, including premature babies. The Communications Minister, Jorge Rodriguez has blamed a US cyberattack. The head of the Electrical Industry Trade Association has said that any cyberattack would have been unsuccessful for the simple reason that the system is almost entirely based on old analogue technology. This is in spite of the fact that both Chavez and Maduro have, in the past, claimed to have spent billions of dollars updating the system (it never happened because the allocated funds never arrived!). According to the Electrical Trade Association, this was a fairly straightforward fault which should have taken a couple of hours to sort out but it could not be traced and repaired quickly for a lack of specialist expertise as the necessary experts have left government employ and departed this poor misgoverned nation.
With the people of Haiti being in such an awful predicament, one could be forgiven for wondering why the West, The U.S., and Russia aren't involved in helping them out with a bit of humanitarian aid... Furthermore, when one considers this lack of involvement; one might then wonder why the great 24-hour media powerhouse we currently have, does not find a wee minute to highlight the dire situation of the poor Haitian people. Call me an oul sceptic; but could it be because poor wee Haiti doesn't have any oil reserves? Come on now people: communism; socialism; capitalism, Maduro, yeah sure! "It's the oil, stupid"
Anyway whatever it is they all have my prayers. Imagine for a second if the cash machines here stopped working and the supermarkets closed. If even the internet stopped functioned. Horror! That is one reason I love camping it returns me to basics. No internet , no central heating , constantly having to fix little things. When I get back home I feel like I am living like a king again. Thank you Lord that I live in a country of comparative peace and prosperity. Poor, poor people. I must pray and pray and pray for them and never forget to count my many blessings. Look at the nuns here working with Ebola patients, bless them. Such saints, risking their very lives.
Carol, I appreciate that you are concerned about the people in Venezuela. Rightly so. We all should be concerned for them. And I understand that nobody here is recommending military intervention. Neither are the politicians. But that can change, and some politicians both inside and outside Venezuela, probably want it to change. And I also understand that you aren't promoting Guaido as some great saviour for Venezuela. Just as you aren't lauding Guaido, I'm certainly not advocating on behalf of Maduro. In the short-term, Maduro's resignation would at least bring some relief to Venezuela, and it's understandable that downtrodden and hungry Venezuelans are focusing on short-term solutions. I would be no different were I in their position. All I'm trying to point out is that this catastrophe has been centuries in the making. Most likely, it began with bad governance by Spain, presenting the Masons with an opportunity - an opportunity seized upon by Bolivar. Towards the end of his life, Bolivar admitted that his revolution had achieved nothing other than independence. Just to be clear, I'm not advocating for imperialism. I'm merely pointing out what appear to be the facts of what happened. The people who opposed one form of imperialism are now advocating another type called globalism where the fate of the many is effectively determined by very few. These wars and proxy wars between super powers are no more than a struggle to determine who ultimately will be the few. People supporting socialism and claiming that it isn't the same as the old Soviet communism conveniently ignore the fact that the Soviet Union was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Republicanism seems to be a Masonic idea, and socialism, communism as well as national socialism (aka fascism) all seem to be variations. Maduro seems to believe himself to be a socialist but to the left of Guaido who also believes himself to be a socialist yet nobody seems capable of defining socialism. You could say the same about capitalism because it seems to cover a whole range of types of governance. Democracy is touted as the solution to all mankind's ills. Socialists/Communists consider themselves democratic. We only have to look around us to see our own type of free and fair democracy fraying at the edges - even in the US where you have a bill of rights supposedly guaranteeing your freedom. Both Maduro and Guaido call themselves socialists but one is being condemned because he is a socialist and the other is promoted as the antidote to socialism. This won't end well. Sure, Venezuela will get a reprieve when Maduro goes and the sanctions are lifted, and it's very likely that when Venezuela has a US approved government there will be a rise in living standards for all Venezuelans. But you only have to look at where the US and Europe are now to see what will happen to Venezuela in the future. Between the replacement of Maduro and Venezuela eventually turning out like the US and Europe, I expect to see whack-a-mole incidences of conflict and strife. None of it looks good for the future of Christianity in Venezuela. You (and we in Europe) are living in a time when the guarantee of freedom of religion is being eroded and soon to be removed altogether, and replaced with some kind of freedom to worship which will be reduced to freedom to think but not practice. Whether the freedom is removed in the name of Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, Republicanism, Fascism or Democracy makes little difference. When mankind thinks it can do better without God, every system is doomed to failure.
I detest the current trajectory of my country, Ireland. Is it any wonder given the Irish government recently 'modernized' us, yeah, they brought us into the bright new-world with the introduction of abortion and gay marriage. They gave our massive gas reserves away to the big Western companies and we now pay 20million euros a day --- A DAY --- in interest payments to our European masters for apparent 'loans' received. We cant sneeze without asking permission from Europe. If, for example, you say in public that you don't think homosexuality is right; or that gay marriage is wrong. You become an instant pariah. Our country's also getting flooded with immigrants, and I believe its a deliberate ploy to dilute the faith. But why?! What's behind it? It seems apparent to me that there's a force so pervasive, so determined that it can systemically devour countries. If you don't submit voluntarily (like the meek Irish, Scandinavians etc.), then like Libya, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and now Venezuela - as well as countless others; then you get steamrolled! If you have something that "they" want, you either give it to them; or they take it. Simple. Oh, and your people must subjugate themselves to the ideals this power brings; modernism. The same modernism that pervades today's Ireland. The thing that I just cant get tho, is why people don't see this? Why do people blindly follow their governments into wreaking havoc upon other countries. You don't have to be a genius to work out that when they've mastered dissenting countries; they'll become more and more draconian with us, the people. Its only a matter of time, for example, before they go after the priests. And they'll use similar tactics to those that entrap countries. With the media machine at the forefront, and with humanitarian rights as the weapon. A gay couple will request a church wedding; they will be declined. And the media will come after our Lords church. This will spread from country to country with ease as "this power" will be in complete control. God knows what this earth will look like without the mass. God help us!
Good analysis Jack. Why dont people see it? I dont know except scripture tells us they preferred darkness to light and lies to truth. This dark force that has its origins in the powers and principalities St Paul speaks of has used its depraved secret societies to move their diabolical plan forward age by age. We see the final act of this horrifying play begin now with the very things you describe. Ireland is the latest to fall to these pernicious ideas. The remnant by God's grace see it but we are like Cassandra on the walls of Troy pleading with the city not to open The gates to Greeks bearing gifts. At this point I know no other way to proceed than to pray as hard as I can and to work as hard as I can for those who see the truth in our governments but ultimately I count on the Blessed Mother. God bless.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-sa...lomatic-personnel-from-venezuela_2834192.html US to Withdraw All Remaining Diplomatic Personnel From Venezuela By The Associated Press March 12, 2019 Updated: March 12, 2019 Share CARACAS, Venezuela—The United States announced late Monday, March 11, that it is pulling the remaining staff from its embassy in Venezuela, citing the deteriorating situation in the South American nation. “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,” the State Department said. It did not say on what day the personnel would be withdrawn from the embassy in Caracas. Pompeo announces US pulling out all diplomats from #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/LAev9qtyqR — Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) March 12, 2019 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the decision as Venezuela struggles to restore electricity following four days of blackouts around the country and a deepening political crisis. The move came after another day of chaos as power outages that began Thursday evening continued to cause problems for Venezuelans, leaving them with little power, water and communications. Update: Current network data shows significant new disruptions limiting connectivity gains in #Venezuela amid ongoing power grid instability; 74% of country remains offline in 92nd hour of outages #SinLuz #11Mar ⬇️https://t.co/8pljYDEYae pic.twitter.com/s3qi2yUWjM — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) March 11, 2019 “We have no internet, no water, no telephone, and all of our food has gone bad,” said a resident in the city of Valencia, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid potential repercussions from the state. “It’s a war but without opponents—everyone is fighting to survive. I have two young babies, I don’t know if we can take much more.” People converged on a polluted river to fill water bottles in Caracas, and scattered protests erupted in several cities. Caracas residents collect wastewater for household use amid power outage in #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/idrJZMFskq — Ruptly (@Ruptly) March 12, 2019 A 3-year-old girl with a brain tumor languished in a Caracas hospital, awaiting treatment after doctors started surgery but then suspended the operation when nationwide power outages first hit on Thursday, said the girl’s fearful mother, who only gave her first name, Yalimar. “The doctors told me that there are no miracles,” said Yalimar, who hopes her daughter can be transferred Tuesday to one of the few hospitals in Venezuela that would be able to finish the complex procedure. The girl’s story highlighted an unfolding horror in Venezuela, where years of hardship got abruptly worse after the power grid collapsed. On Monday, schools and businesses were closed, long lines of cars waited at the few gasoline stations with electricity and hospitals cared for many patients without power. Generators have alleviated conditions for some of the critically ill. Socialist regime leader Nicolás Maduro, who has refused to step down from the presidency, said on national television Monday night that progress had been made in restoring power in Venezuela. He also said two people who were allegedly trying to sabotage power facilities were captured and were providing information to authorities, though he gave no details. Venezuelans take part in a protest against the Maduro regime on March 9, 2019 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images) Venezuela’s Congress-elected interim president Juan Guaidó and the United States say Maduro’s claims that the U.S. sabotaged the power grid with a “cyberattack” are an attempt to divert attention from the government’s own failings. “We are completely tired of this,” said Mariana López, 25, in San Fernando de Apure, the capital city of the southern Apure region. “There are a lot of electrical faults but we have never seen entire days without electricity throughout the whole country before.” Power was temporarily restored on the evening of March 8, but was out once again by March 9 as poorly maintained electrical substations failed, affecting 22 of 23 states. There have been acts of kindness during Venezuela’s crisis: People whose food would rot in refrigerators without power donated it to a restaurant, which cooked it for distribution to charities and hospitals. The blackouts also have hit the oil industry. The country hasn’t shipped $358 million in oil since the power failures started, and “the whole system is grinding to a halt,” said Russ Dallen, a Miami-based partner at the brokerage firm Caracas Capital Markets. Two large tankers are sitting empty at the Jose offshore oil-loading dock, and at least 19 other ships are waiting their turns there, Dallen said. Engineers have restored power in some parts of Venezuela, but it often goes out again. There have been a few protests in Caracas and reports of similar anti-government anger elsewhere. Guaidó tweeted about reports of looting in some cities, but details were difficult to confirm. Things Are Getting Desperate In Caracas, some people reported more sightings of “colectivos,” a term for armed groups allegedly operating on behalf of the state to intimidate opponents. The mood in Caracas was desperate. Marian Morales, a nurse working for a Catholic youth group, and several colleagues handed out diapers and food from a car parked near a hospital. Police and men in civilian clothing ordered them to leave, saying they didn’t have permission. Morales said the needy are cautious about approaching to collect the handouts because of the presence of security forces. Early Monday, an explosion rocked a power station in the Baruta area of Caracas. Residents gathered to look at the charred, smoldering equipment. Guaidó said three of four electricity transformers servicing the area were knocked out. He has blamed the blackouts on government corruption and mismanagement. Winston Cabas, the head of Venezuela’s electrical engineers union, which opposes the government, disputed government allegations that the country’s main hydroelectric dam was sabotaged last week. He blamed a lack of maintenance as well as the departure of skilled workers from the troubled country over the years. “The system is vulnerable, fragile and unstable,” he said. Spain’s airline pilots union asked for Spanish airline Air Europa to stop flying to Venezuela after one of its crews was attacked at gunpoint in Caracas. The Sepla union said two pilots and eight more crew members of a flight from Madrid were assaulted on Saturday while going from the airport to their hotel in the Venezuelan capital. None of the crew members was injured. Air Europa responded by ordering the crews of flights to Venezuela to not spend the night in the country, according to the union. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russian and Venezuelan state-owned companies, alleging it tried to circumvent U.S. sanctions on the South American country. The U.S. said it is targeting Evrofinance Mosnarbank for supporting Petroleos de Venezuela SA, the state oil company previously targeted by sanctions in January. Evrofinance said it was carrying out its activities normally despite the announcement and pledged to “meet its obligations to the clients and partners in full.” The U.S. and the other governments that recognize Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president say Maduro wasn’t legitimately re-elected last year because opposition candidates weren’t permitted to run. Maduro claims he is the target of a U.S. coup plot.
