The Trump administration on Wednesday offered to develop an “exit solution” for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro if the socialist strongman agrees to step down peacefully, a U.S. official said Wednesday.
“We will continue to work with all of our partners who have spoken up very loudly and clearly on this issue in order to, one, encourage them to take further steps to ensure that Maduro and his cronies are not able to loot any further from the Venezuelan people,” a senior administration official told reporters. “And by the way, in that regards, to work productively — if Maduro chooses to accept a peaceful transition of power — to find an exit solution for him, in that regards.”
That offer came on the heels of Trump announcing that he would recognize a leading opposition lawmaker’s claim to the office of interim president. Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly, has been calling for protests against Maduro, who has retained the support of the military. Trump’s decision to recognize Guaido as interim president capped days of U.S. government praise for the dissident lawmaker.
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Trump could intensify pressure on Maduro by imposing an oil embargo on Venezuela or allowing Guaido to gain access to Venezuelan government assets under the jurisdiction of the United States. That’s a tactic favored by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
“The president has made it clear that he will use the full weight of the United States to press for the restoration of democracy and constitutional legitimacy in Venezuela,” Rubio said Wednesday. “I also know the president will hold the illegitimate Maduro regime directly responsible for any actions taken against President Guaido, members of the National Assembly, and peaceful protesters.”
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White House offers safety to Maduro if he leaves Venezuela peacefully https://t.co/FU8I9mH8pe
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 23, 2019
Whoops. Here is one dictator that forgot to make a campaign donation.
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