Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Pence says 'failed state' in Venezuela threatens United States

WASHINGTON/BOGOTA (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday the United States would bring all its economic and diplomatic power to bear to see democracy restored in Venezuela, saying a failed state there threatens Americans.
"President (Donald) Trump has made it very clear that we will not stand by while Venezuela collapses into dictatorship," Pence told reporters in Cartagena, Colombia. "A failed state in Venezuela threatens the security and prosperity of our entire hemisphere and the people of the United States of America."
Pence has struck a more conciliatory tone than Trump during the start of a Latin American tour to Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama, saying a peaceful solution to unrest and political turmoil in Venezuela is possible.
Trump last week threatened military action, sparking condemnation from around the region, including from countries which are usually some of leftist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's harshest critics.
"We are absolutely determined to bring the full measure of American economic and diplomatic power to bear until we see democracy restored in Venezuela," Pence told reporters after meeting with Venezuelan families living in Colombia. READ MORE