CNN reported on November 30, citing government officials, that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his colleagues have contacted the White House through multiple channels, and are currently discussing methods of communication between the two countries.
Earlier, US President Trump posted that due to rampant drug traffickers, Venezuela's airspace and surrounding areas would be completely closed. The US aviation authority also warned major airlines that flying over Venezuela's airspace "may involve dangerous conditions" due to "deteriorating security conditions and increased military activity in the country and its surrounding areas." This suggests that the US may take military action, including air strikes, against Venezuela.
Comment: The Trump administration's move to close Venezuela's airspace under the pretext of "anti-drug efforts" and its statement to expand land-based attacks is a typical example of using unilateral deterrence to push for hegemony. The excuse of "deteriorating security conditions" contradicts the report from the US Drug Enforcement Administration stating that "Venezuela is not a major source of drugs." Moreover, the largest military deployment in decades and the maritime operation of sinking more than 20 ships further reveal the real intention of using anti-drug efforts as a cover for political interference. Such unilateral pressure in violation of international law not only intensifies regional tensions but also faces strong opposition from Venezuela and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.
On one hand, military deterrence is escalating step by step; on the other hand, the window for high-level dialogue is quietly opening. The situation between the US and Venezuela has fallen into a complex game of "pressure and probing." Secret calls and meetings between Trump and Maduro contrast with the US designation of Venezuela as a "foreign terrorist organization," highlighting the traditional approach of "carrot and stick." However, the Maduro government maintains its willingness to engage in dialogue while safeguarding sovereignty through military vigilance and revoking the special permits of airlines cooperating with US sanctions. Meanwhile, the international community's resistance to external interference also imposes multiple constraints on US military adventurism. The future development of the situation still depends on the results of both sides' bottom-line testing and balance of interests.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1850178718014467/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.