US secretly speaks with Venezuela's socialist boss, says report
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The U.S. has opened up secret communications with Venezuela's socialist party boss as members of President Nicolas Maduro's inner circle seek guarantees they won't face retribution if they cede to growing demands to remove him, a senior 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 reprisal. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized to discuss the talks, which are still preliminary.
On August 15th, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on all Venezuelan government assets in the United States — the toughest sanctions on Nicolas Maduro's government so far.
"All property and interests in property of the government of Venezuela that are in the United States are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, or otherwise dealt in," Trump's executive order late Monday said.
There has been no response so far from the Venezuelan government, which joins Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria as the only other countries under a similar full U.S. embargo.
The United States has been increasing the economic and diplomatic pressure on Maduro, who has refused to give up power despite a popular uprising against his authoritarian government, said the Voice of America in its report.
Trump said last week he is considering a blockade or quarantine of Venezuela. He gave no details of such plans but has always said military action in Venezuela remains on the table.
Russia and Cuba have already sent forces to Venezuela in support of Maduro.
White House National Security Adviser John Bolton is set to outline the economic embargo in Lima, Peru on Tuesday, in a speech at the International Conference on Democracy in Venezuela. Bolton is expected to denounce China's and Russia's support for Maduro and
emphasize the success of previous economic embargoes in Panama and Nicaragua.
The United States was the first to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela after he used his constitutional power as National Assembly leader to declare Maduro's presidency illegitimate.
Guaido claimed Maduro's re-election last year was fraudulent. He led a popular uprising against Maduro earlier this year.
The collapse in world energy prices, corruption, and failed socialist policies have wrecked oil-rich Venezuela's economy and millions have fled the country amid severe shortages of fuel, quality medical care, and many food staples.
More updated news on the issues in Venezuela can be found at the Voice of America site here.*
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How should Venezuelans proceed in removing Maduro without military action? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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