Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Catherina

(35,568 posts)
Thu Jul 18, 2013, 09:44 AM Jul 2013

US Threatens To Eliminate Trade With Venezuela If It Provides Snowden With Asylum [View all]

Translations mine

US Threatens To Eliminate Trade With Venezuela If It Provides Snowden With Asylum


The United States could eliminate trade relations with Venezuela, including the sale of gasoline and petroleum products if the country grants asylum to former CIA agent, Edward Snowden.

The pressure expanded last Thursday when U.S. visas for senior officials of the Venezuelan government and a group of businessmen linked to the government of Nicolas Maduro were revoked said the Spain's newspaper ABC.

According to the report (information), after Snowden made a statement that he accepted political asylum in Venezuela but that his transfer would be complicated for the moment, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry contacted the Foreign Minister Elias Jaua to warn him that any Venezuelan plane suspected of transporting Edward Snowden will not be allowed to fly over U.S. airspace or the airspace of any NATO member country.

It's speculated that Washington fears Snowden can leverage his asylum in Russia and then take refuge in the Venezuelan Embassy in that country.

http://yaesnoticia.com/internacional/ee-uu-amenaza-con-eliminar-relaciones-comerciales-si-venezuela-asila-a-snowden/

[hr]

July 18th, 2013 8:05 a.m.

U.S. Begins Reprisals To Forbid Venezuela From Allowing Snowden Asylum

United States has already begun to implement actions to pressure Venezuela in order to prevent the country from welcoming former U.S. intelligence employee Edward Snowden. Washington proceeded last week to revoke the U.S. entry visas of Venezuelan government officials and businessmen associated with the Chavista government. Furthermore, in a phone call, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, told the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua of other measures the U.S. will apply if Snowden's asylum is realized (is consummated), such as the suspension of sales of gasoline and oil from the Caribbean country, which is vital to maintain daily activity in Venezuela.

Kerry called Jaua on Friday night, hours after Snowden made a public statement accepting Venezuela's asylum offered, but expressed his momentary inability to leave Russia. With strong language, as described by sources familiar with the conversation, Kerry explained the extreme importance U.S. gives to this issue and warned that any Venezuelan plane suspected of carrying Snowden will not be allowed to fly over U.S. airspace or any NATO country.

Kerry hinted (made it understood) that if Snowden was on President Nicolás Maduro's Presidential Jet there would not be a repeat of what happened with the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, after the diplomatic problems that caused, but this means Maduro would have to personally go fetch him. "The immunity is not for the plane, but for the President", stated Kerry according to sources.

...

«Means of Pressure»

The revocation of visas for senior government officials and big business entrepreneurs linked to the government has been in effect since at least last Thursday, when some of them began receiving notice from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. The measure, which does not affect the short-term visas for visiting Venezuelans tourists, seeks to bring business and political pressure on President Maduro to stop extending his hand to the U.S. fugitive.

As possible actions, the sources also mentioned the materialization of charges against prominent Chavista leaders against whom Washington is preparing charges for involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering and other criminal activities. Kerry specifically mentioned some names in his conversation with Jaua.

«Leaving from Vladivostock (Snowden) could make a single stopover in Nicaragua»

The fear in Washington is that Snowden can take advantage of a temporary asylum in Russia to leave the airport in Moscow and find refuge in the Embassy of Venezuela in the Russian capital or to move to another part of Russia from which a flight to Caracas is more feasible. If he flies out of Vladivostok, a Russian city on the Pacific coast, for example, he could make a single stop in Nicaragua, avoiding overflying other countries.

...

http://dossier33.com/2013/07/eeuu-aplica-represalias-para-que-venezuela-no-permita-asilo-a-snowden/

The article goes on to say that President Maduro's jet is capable of handling that distance.

There are quite a few articles about this in the Latin American press this morning, like here, here


This was President Maduro's response a week ago (July 11) when pressure had already begun but before Friday's phone call.

President Maduro states that "no one can threaten us. The day Edward Snowden decides to come, we welcome him".




[hr]

Edit: the link to Spain's ABC article mentioned in the first article.

http://www.abc.es/internacional/20130718/abci-obama-presiona-venezuela-201307171953.html

Its translation is the same as the second article in the OP.
147 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Roughly 6% of our oil comes from Venezuela, we won't be pissing them off 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #1
We overstimate our self-importance Catherina Jul 2013 #3
Haha! City Lights Jul 2013 #17
+100 HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #77
Don't forget Russia. They may be saying they want to maintain Cleita Jul 2013 #40
This is where I don't understand what those MBAs are thinking. Catherina Jul 2013 #73
"Is it our arrogance that blinds us and makes us make huge mistakes like this?" ConcernedCanuk Jul 2013 #98
This message was self-deleted by its author Go Vols Jul 2013 #130
+1 n/t Catherina Jul 2013 #134
Agreed, in our desperation to inflict harm on Snowden we will reduce our influence to Latin America Katashi_itto Jul 2013 #127
Hmmm.... Maybe it is the Koch brothers that are fueling this UNAMERICAN policy... cascadiance Jul 2013 #21
first heaven05 Jul 2013 #45
Yep. Next it's going to be gas shortages that matthews Jul 2013 #94
On the other hand they import gasoline from us. hack89 Jul 2013 #34
Ah, so you think that's really what's behind all the noise? lark Jul 2013 #42
And that oil we don't buy goes to China, to pay debts. joshcryer Jul 2013 #101
They could build their own refinery easily, but we can not get more oil easily or cheaply 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #125
US imports of Venezuelan oil are at a 30 year low. We export gasoline to 'em. joshcryer Jul 2013 #100
And still at a million barrels a day. Spider Jerusalem Jul 2013 #144
HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!! WillyT Jul 2013 #2
wow, just wow - the empire strikes back nt markiv Jul 2013 #4
I can't believe they're still pretending the empire has the clout and good-will it used to. Catherina Jul 2013 #9
I would think that threatening them with sending them more Wall Street bankers for "help"... Safetykitten Jul 2013 #5
Lol, Good one! What they have to say about our *bankers* is some of the best stuff on the net Catherina Jul 2013 #12
k&r for exposure. n/t Laelth Jul 2013 #6
i need to read up on our current relationship with south america, does anyone have.. allin99 Jul 2013 #7
May I recommend "Open Veins of Latin America"? Catherina Jul 2013 #11
Thanks! ooh, and thanks for the pdf... allin99 Jul 2013 #19
If Chavez really wanted President Obama to read the book, Tanuki Jul 2013 #128
Lol. Ok, Obama walks on water and the whole world revolves around English. Catherina Jul 2013 #129
Don't forge to examine the Monroe Doctrine and the Roosevelt Corollary, ronnie624 Jul 2013 #133
Good. nt AllINeedIsCoffee Jul 2013 #8
We didn't even do this to Pakistan when they harbored Bin Laden n2doc Jul 2013 #10
That' because Bin Laden was never a real threat to the Government, but Snowden is. 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #13
The U.S. is less afraid of Snowden than the precedent this will set. wtmusic Jul 2013 #29
So 3,000+ dead Americans = no real threat, vs 0 dead by Snowden = Threat? ShadowLiberal Jul 2013 #70
Well you are less confused than I am. What Snowden has done was matthews Jul 2013 #96
I thought people learned that in Diplomacy 101. Catherina Jul 2013 #14
Obama just keeps digging the hole deeper. HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #80
Or the story is bogus. randome Jul 2013 #83
He has been digging deeper from the get-go. HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #86
I know you want badly to believe that. randome Jul 2013 #87
I'd rather not believe it. HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #92
I agree that Obama should not be above the law. randome Jul 2013 #95
Three soures saying the same thing... HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #99
All sources cite ABC.es? joshcryer Jul 2013 #105
Even after pointing that out, posters are climbing on board without bothering... randome Jul 2013 #110
I think it's more about protecting a system that relies too heavily on the military and espionage Catherina Jul 2013 #91
Bin Laden was an external threat, Snowden is an internal one. GliderGuider Jul 2013 #15
Pakistan cooperated with the U.S. and there were discussion about cutting aid. n/t ProSense Jul 2013 #20
They co-operated so much with us that we had to have a secret stealth SEAL raid n2doc Jul 2013 #24
Do you ProSense Jul 2013 #33
Do you bahrbearian Jul 2013 #64
No, ProSense Jul 2013 #65
You do know we conducted the raid without Pakistans approve or even Knowledge. bahrbearian Jul 2013 #66
Bin Laden was a CIA asset. bahrbearian Jul 2013 #22
They seem to be in panic mode. Like a police department frantically threatening everyone limpyhobbler Jul 2013 #63
Exactly! The whole response to Snowden smells like coverup. HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #81
So Kerry challenges Maduro to personally pick Snowden up from Moscow? marions ghost Jul 2013 #16
There goes heating assistance to the poor.... DainBramaged Jul 2013 #18
Citgo has other sources marions ghost Jul 2013 #25
CITGO is owned by the Venezuelan government. joshcryer Jul 2013 #103
Thanks for that detailed info marions ghost Jul 2013 #117
According to this (see link below) they don't need it. L0oniX Jul 2013 #26
I guess they can burn wrappers DainBramaged Jul 2013 #27
Grease fires are eco friendly too. L0oniX Jul 2013 #28
Whew marions ghost Jul 2013 #43
EXACTLY! I was thinking the very same thing 99th_Monkey Jul 2013 #44
The heating assistance program helped tens of thousand when our government failed to do so DainBramaged Jul 2013 #47
LIHEAP = $3.2 billion. CITGO to Citizen's Energy = $60 million. joshcryer Jul 2013 #102
If there is a NAFTA agreement with them the US will get to enjoy a lawsuit. L0oniX Jul 2013 #23
that would be weirdly entertaining. KittyWampus Jul 2013 #30
I wish it were China instead of Venezuela Populist_Prole Jul 2013 #31
Last week's trade meeting with China didn't end on a good note Catherina Jul 2013 #38
Yes but when the chips are down, who's bread will be buttered? Populist_Prole Jul 2013 #39
i am still laughing at both the notes from HK and... allin99 Jul 2013 #41
You obviously mistranslated. woo me with science Jul 2013 #32
!OMG! Catherina Jul 2013 #36
You owe me a new engineering tablet. Mine is covered with soda... Pholus Jul 2013 #52
! muriel_volestrangler Jul 2013 #67
and Venezuela should care why? i think someone else will buy their oil. robinlynne Jul 2013 #35
Just a few headlines away were articles about more deals with China Catherina Jul 2013 #37
The bullying has become OTT... KoKo Jul 2013 #54
Because they have to import gasoline from the US? hack89 Jul 2013 #79
Didn't the US rush a Chinese lawyer out of China and into the US malaise Jul 2013 #46
that was quite different.... allin99 Jul 2013 #50
Either it's asylum or it isn't malaise Jul 2013 #53
oh, i thought you were talking about the situation... allin99 Jul 2013 #55
No - Chen Guangcheng never requested asylum hack89 Jul 2013 #56
Thanks for that clarification malaise Jul 2013 #61
Maduro should know that his irresponsible actions have consequences. tritsofme Jul 2013 #48
Venezuela responds. Tierra_y_Libertad Jul 2013 #49
Yes, that's about it. Expect a replay of Yanquis de mierda any minute now Catherina Jul 2013 #57
Yanquis de mierda -- "so much shit from you Yankees" marions ghost Jul 2013 #58
This will surely give the follower authoritarians among us a little tingle. Their authoritarian Big rhett o rick Jul 2013 #51
" Venezuela, China strengthen friendship, cooperation" Catherina Jul 2013 #59
i think i've misjudged the PRC BOG PERSON Jul 2013 #71
Ya...and when's the last time China held elections? Cali_Democrat Jul 2013 #75
there is no such thing as "the progressive cause" BOG PERSON Jul 2013 #97
How dare they? Savannahmann Jul 2013 #60
Yeah Venezuela, respect Cartman's Authoritah! marions ghost Jul 2013 #62
Maduro didn't win the election by much. My guess is that he's fully capable of playing byeya Jul 2013 #68
They were already going up before this. I agree with you that this will make them even higher Catherina Jul 2013 #76
If you don't mind, I'll be counting on you to monitor this and see if the Venezualen people byeya Jul 2013 #113
Ok, I'll keep an eye on it. Catherina Jul 2013 #116
This sounds completely ridiculous. randome Jul 2013 #69
agree. the u.s. might do something with the trade but it's not going to be this extreme... allin99 Jul 2013 #72
I wondered if this is an indirect justification flamingdem Jul 2013 #84
I don't see what Putin actually gains by granting asylum. randome Jul 2013 #85
I think that his problem now is stopping it flamingdem Jul 2013 #89
You can read the original source here on ABC.es (source OP hates): joshcryer Jul 2013 #104
Thank you for researching that. randome Jul 2013 #109
Laughably hollow posturing. Marr Jul 2013 #74
78 replies, and this is the first one to utter the name "Obama" - as in, this is Obama's policy. reformist2 Jul 2013 #78
No, it isn't. The story is bogus. randome Jul 2013 #82
Big brother is quick to punish the impertinent who has annoyed him and, as Cuba indepat Jul 2013 #88
Just as well. Venezuela doesn't need USA Bryn Jul 2013 #90
Sad for us to be alienating contries with more progressive platforms but true. n/t Catherina Jul 2013 #115
How funny. I think they'll survive fine without us. matthews Jul 2013 #93
Bullies bully. nt ZombieHorde Jul 2013 #106
And what about the POOR that burrowowl Jul 2013 #107
More and more countries and more and more people are waking up to the fact that the American DemocratForJustice Jul 2013 #108
It's sad it's going to be that way. It didn't need to n/t Catherina Jul 2013 #111
Uncle Sam has a special talent for kicking himself in the groin Coyotl Jul 2013 #112
Gawd they are so tone-deaf. You chart is the neoliberals' dream come true Catherina Jul 2013 #114
kick woo me with science Jul 2013 #118
Are you ever going to address the point that the source of this item is one you previously disowned? randome Jul 2013 #119
US denies suspension of Venezuelan officials' visas due to Snowden case joshcryer Jul 2013 #120
Still puzzled why the OP is pushing this crap. randome Jul 2013 #124
Authoritarianism. joshcryer Jul 2013 #141
Meh. "The source, who spoke under condition of anonymity" Zorra Jul 2013 #131
The ABC.es source is anonymous, as well. joshcryer Jul 2013 #142
The predictable result: "Venezuela has terminated talks with the United States" Catherina Jul 2013 #121
Maybe we could get lucky nolabels Jul 2013 #122
See this thread Catherina Jul 2013 #123
Most in Venezuela know who and what the nomenclature of "US" really represents nolabels Jul 2013 #137
+1. Poor people rising & welcoming warriors in the same fight Catherina Jul 2013 #138
Translation: Global bully throws hissy fit when it does not get its own way. nt Deep13 Jul 2013 #126
. Go Vols Jul 2013 #132
+1 but don't forget its lackeys. Catherina Jul 2013 #136
+1 nt Deep13 Jul 2013 #140
I have little patience for hypocrites and liars. joshcryer Jul 2013 #143
Any other news outlets pick this up? Cali_Democrat Jul 2013 #135
Wow. We sure sound desperate & scared. N/t DirkGently Jul 2013 #139
Article - "With “Zero Tolerance to Gringo Aggression,” Maduro Cuts Off Venezuela-U.S. Talks" Catherina Jul 2013 #145
You are creating DU's largest echo chamber in this thread. randome Jul 2013 #146
U.S. lawmakers want sanctions on any country taking in Snowden Catherina Jul 2013 #147
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»US Threatens To Eliminate...