Assistant to the President for national security John Bolton said at a media briefing about the package of sanctions adopted against the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. However, the attention of journalists more interested in a notebook that Bolton was kept so that all could read: «5 000 soldiers in Colombia».
Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan says he has not spoken to national security adviser John Bolton about sending 5,000 troops to Colombia.
This was seen on Bolton’s notepad yesterday during the White House briefing pic.twitter.com/DUifaaSlzh
— Jennifer Hansler (@jmhansler) January 29, 2019
Sanctions against PDVSA entered by the U.S. Treasury from January 28 — frozen its assets of $ billion and export revenues of $ 11 billion Operating in the USA Citgo Petroleum, which is owned by PDVSA, will be able to continue to work, but will not be able to transfer money to Venezuela until not sanctions are lifted. Steven Mnuchin stated that this may not be the last resort and the US is prepared to use all «diplomatic and economic tools to support the provisional President, Juan, Guido, the National Assembly and the efforts of the Venezuelan people to restore their democracy.»
Approximately the same was said at the briefing, and Bolton, a word or saying in hearing about sending troops to Colombia, adjacent to Venezuela. No official even on condition of anonymity, did not agree until now to comment on this entry in Notepad, none of the media nor the White house nor the Pentagon nor the state Department. However, the randomness of the demonstration of this record no one believes. This, at least, hint at the possibility of such a decision.
Today Nicolas Maduro issued an official appeal to the President of the United States and even spoke on the occasion in English. “Donald trump, do not interfere in the Affairs of Venezuela! he says in the video, Hands off Venezuela”!
This is not a standoff between the U. S. and Venezuela. It is a showdown between the Venezuelan people and Nicolás Maduro. https://t.co/4JAmH59DcF #CatoFP pic.twitter.com/fhQxRYKo8G
— Cato Institute (@CatoInstitute) January 29, 2019
The Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today at a press conference reiterated that Russia will support the regime of Maduro in all ways. However, a lower level in Moscow already there are doubts. The Deputy Minister of Finance Sergei Storchak told the media today that in March, Russia is waiting for Venezuela’s payment on the interest for debt. This $100 million (total debt of $3.5) and Russian Ministry of Finance expects that now I can’t get the money from Maduro. The total size of the Russian investments in Venezuela is about $ 10 million.
Bloomberg quotes the words of Victor Heifetz, an expert on Latin America from the St. Petersburg state University. «Russia is ready to provide short-term assistance to the army remained loyal to Maduro, but it does not have the financial strength to keep the Venezuelan economy afloat, which requires about $20-25 billion per year. And with time, Russia may come into contact with the opposition, if you feel the desire to reach an agreement.»
Moreover, the leader of the democratic forces of Venezuela Juan Guido already stated in an interview with CNN’s readiness in the event of coming to power steadily to fulfill all debt obligations of the country.
