I‘m glad that ten more Venezuelan officials are now under U.S. sanctions, but this action is both overdue and insufficient.
After all, while its Western allies defend it, Venezuela is dying.
Today, the nation with the world’s largest proven oil reserves has been turned into a starving rabbit republic. As Venezuela’s socialist overlords enrich themselves by working with drug traffickers and selling goods on the black market, the Venezuelan people beg Colombians for food and medicine.
In this context, it’s hard to understand why the U.S. isn’t doing more to pressure Maduro’s regime. Consider, for example, that top officials such as the head of Maduro’s fake assembly, Delcy Rodriguez, remain unaffected by the sanctions regime. Moreover, rather than rallying our partners to tighten the economic noose around Maduro’s neck, the U.S. and many other nations continue to import Venezuelan oil.
This must end.
What is happening in Venezuela must end.
Instead of issuing ill-advised threats, Trump should cut off Maduro and his cronies from that which allows them to buy off the military: oil.
