US 'Raises Pressure' on Venezuela While Floating Maduro Talks
The Financial Times alerts us to the US contemplating talks with Nicolás Maduro, just as it conveniently 'raises military pressure' on Venezuela. One might almost believe these two actions aren't diametrically opposed. This isn't newfound pragmatism; it’s a classic US playbook entry, as seen with repeated attempts at regime change in Cuba (Operation Mongoose, anyone?) or the proxy wars against
Nicaragua, always followed by 'negotiations' when destabilization proves too costly. The US has imposed sanctions on Venezuela since 2015, choking its economy, while simultaneously bemoaning the country's humanitarian crisis. It’s the same old tune: sanction, destabilize, then offer to 'talk' from a position of manufactured strength. So, the US will 'float talks' (how magnanimous) while keeping
the military boot on. Because nothing says good-faith diplomacy like a warship lurking just off the coast. It raises questions: Is this genuine diplomacy, or is it merely moving the goalposts after years of failed regime-change efforts and economic strangulation? The only thing consistent is the inconsistency, clothed in the language of 'national interest.'