US diplomats expelled from Venezuela for conspiring with 'extreme right'

[unhappycamper]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/01/us-diplomats-expelled-from-venezuela



President Nicolás Maduro has announced the explusion of three US officials from Venezuela.

US diplomats expelled from Venezuela for conspiring with 'extreme right'
Associated Press in Caracas
theguardian.com, Monday 30 September 2013 20.54 EDT

President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday the expulsion of the top US diplomat in Venezuela and two other embassy employees for allegedly conspiring with "the extreme right" to sabotage the economy and power grid.

The US embassy said it had not yet received notification and called the accusations unfounded.

Maduro made the announcement during a live TV appearance and said they had 48 hours to leave the country.

"Out of Venezuela," the leader shouted, then added in English: "Yankees go home!"

[BeyondGeography]

1. That's show biz

Maybe get control of the food supply next:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23885377

[truebluegreen]

2. ???

I for one would be horribly shocked and stunned if some American diplomats were actually like, agents of some kind, there to further an American agenda.

Not saying that is the case. Just that I would be shocked.

[ehcross]

5. All diplomats have agendas to handle relations between states.

"I for one would be horribly shocked and stunned if some American diplomats were actually like, agents of some kind, there to further an American agenda".

Diplomats are there to handle relations between their states. When relations between two states are cordial it becomes easy to find common ground on many issues.

But when relations are tense diplomats are responsible for limiting damage and for restoring normality.

These initiatives are mandated by the Foreign Ministers of each country.

Countries always have agendas to exercise their role of negotiators, and they do that within a given set of rules dictated by their government.

[truebluegreen]

6. I don't believe overthrowing the government of another country,

as has happened before, or furthering unrest, which is possible in this case, is the proper function of "diplomats." That is what I was referring to. Sarcastically.

[ehcross]

8. I don't believe in overthrowing the goverment of another country.

Governments are supposed to cultivate cordial relations with each other, especially if they are neighbors. This is often not the case, as each one has its own agendas, which rather often do not match. Governments of neighboring countries often clash with each other for reasons of conflicting common borders. An aggresive neighbor often provokes territorial disputes with an interest in interfering in its neighbor's affairs or grabbing territory.

Diplomats are there specifically for handling relations between countries. They are the delegates empowered to attend negotiations after having been thoroughly instructed about the objetives and strategy to be used in the negotiations.

Venezuela's explosive President Maduro has reacted violently to information that implies that U.S. diplomats have been provoking unrest with the purpose of causing chaos in Venezuela. But accusations to that effect are unconfirmed, but are, however, taken seriously by an extremely aggresive and incapable president, who is clearly losing control of his country.

[truebluegreen]

9. Thanks for the tip in how governments are supposed to conduct their affairs,

and the textbook definition of diplomacy. I would never have guessed. My point, which you seem determined to miss, is that the US has all too frequently ignored that standard, principally when the interests of "its" corporations are involved.

These accusations may not be well-founded; others certainly have been.

[ehcross]

7. The job of a diplomat does not exclude a political agenda

Diplomats exist to serve as messengers between their governments and the host country. This includes not only economic matters but also political issues of interest to both parties.

An ambassador to a country plays an active role in facilitating dialogue and maintaining cordial relations with the host country. This requires swift communications and active agendas of mutual interest. Political issues are usually a major element which often includes close personal relations among diplomats.

[ehcross]

3. Venezuela under Maduro on the road to the Third World

It doesn't take much to identify Nicolás Maduro. His heavy dumblike posture and ever threatening attitude leave no doubt about his grab of reality. Whichever way anybody looks at it, Maduro is bound to be the clear loser. Enough would be to point out that the United States is the best customer for Venezuelan oil in the world. Which means that at least theoretically, the U.S. could sink Venezuela if the U.S. decided to buy its oil elsewhere.

It is unfortunate that Chávez chose Maduro to replace him for there were in Venezuela, without doubt, much better candidates for the job.

[ehcross]

4. US diplomats expelled from Venezuela for conspiring with 'extreme right'

Dictators live under constant pressure to show off their power and intimidate their foes.
They usually operate under a permanent threat from their opponents, so appearing tough is a tool for respect from their foes.
Hugo Chávez was a master of intimidation, reaching extremes to subject his foes to a level of pressure thst most prople could not bear. Needless to say, he was extremely effective at intimidation.

Nicolás Maduro struggles to emulate Chávez. He speaks tough, but his composture is not intimidating, rather he looks ridiculous. A tall guy hopelessly imitating Chávez, while at the same time struggling to move his enormous body.

U.S. diplomats have been expelled under yells from a furious, out-of-control Maduro. Diplomacy has no chance under those circumstances.