You’re about to follow an impressive military operation in Venezuela with a political screwup.
Why? Because you seem unwilling to trust Maria Corina Machado and her people.
Somehow, you’ve got it into your head, that the lady won’t be able to deal with the sharks circling around her.
But she would be able.
The lady is not alone and wouldn’t have been able to win the elections if she hadn’t surrounded herself with the best Venezuela has.
Work with her.
Our failure in Iraq was traced to our inability to work with locals who knew the system.
Venezuela is Venezuela, not the US.
They have their distinctive culture. Maria Corina Machado knows it well.
Let her take the lead.
Support her.
Look, Latin Americans are watching. If we do well in Venezuela, Cuba could be next.
The lack of oil supplies from Venezuela will weaken Cuba and prepare the ground for political change. But not if we screw up.
Poor management of our intervention could lead to civil war. The hasty retreat to follow would become a resounding defeat.
It’s black and white, Mr Trump.
Maria Corina Machado’s party was the clear winner of the elections stolen by Maduro and company.
Your bypassing her is tantamount to devaluing her and her people.
Don’t do it.
You need them to succeed. And they will do very well by us, facilitating all manner of commercial deals, so long as we act fairly.
You and your people have created an opportunity. Do not screw up now.
Not only Cuba, but Nicaragua could follow.
Think about it.
And as your resolve gathers strength, maybe you will then start to confront Putin and Xi Jinping which is sorely needed.
Think big, man. Think bold.
Trust the lady, please. The rewards of doing so will be ample.
Something to counter all the mistakes you’ve made.
Ask for advice. Pay attention to what they say.
Don’t just trust your little circle.
They call it thinking outside the box.
The world is watching.
Oscar Valdes 