Coons: ‘Casual Consideration of Military Action in Venezuela’ by Trump ‘Gives Me Grave Concern’

‘If we can get through these next few months without military action by either the United States or Russia, that would be a positive thing’

EXCERPT:

BERMAN: “The idea that the president’s asking about military force in Venezuela, where do you see this heading?"
COONS: "Well this is a critical moment, both in the history of Venezuela and in our relations in this hemisphere. I do think it’s significant that the United States has now stepped out and said we recognize the opposition leader and we are calling for new free, fair, and open elections. The Maduro government has been a disaster, from a humanitarian perspective, an economic perspective. I’m concerned that Russia is being more aggressive in terms of their statement about their interests, their engagement in Venezuela. If we can get through these next few months without military action by either the United States or Russia, that would be a positive thing. But the suffering of the Venezuelan people is stunning. The dislocation to the whole region striking. And ways in which this would reset positively or negatively our relations in this whole hemisphere have to be watched closely. So a casual consideration of military action in Venezuela gives me grave concern, but building carefully a multilateral coalition with our European and North American allies and working closely with the Venezuelan opposition and people to prepare the ground for whatever might come next, that’s the sort of patient preparation for diplomacy first and action second that we would hope from from a mature and seasoned leader."

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