Why did Edgardo Lander and the Citizens Platform for the Defense of the Constitution meet with Juan Guaidó? The potential for violence, military intervention, and even civil war, made it important to find ways to de-escalate, says Lander
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** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
i'm declaring myself presidente of Venezuela – I want Canada to invade & occupy my country!
"Waiting for Godot" caught that, ha!
"The Guaido opposition is very powerful… Maduro has only a minority support." Truth is, the 60% working poor is uneducated, so the professor considers them nothing. Corruption is, the professor and the opposition are the 40% most educated who hoard all the land, wealth and full control of the economy.
I just checked in for the sole purpose of voting thumbs down as I promised after watching the first episode with this clown. This is bullshit, Real News! One segment featuring him in a discussion like Democracy Now! did would be great, but I fail to see how Sharmini can stomach this CIA stooge seven times! Boooooo! Booooo! Booooo!
Maduro really has more important things to do than to listen to this guy. His only "solution" seems to be having more and more elections until the opposition, and by extension the Trump Administration, is satisfied with the outcome. He basically wants regime change. I've said it before, there are so, so, SO many better people that the Real News could have done a seven part interview with in Caracas.
Where is part 1
Guido failed the CIA, his life expectancy is 2 days before his expose interview.
I am happy to see Sharmini ask Edgardo Lander one of the many questions raised in the comments to Part 1 (just one question, unfortunately). I would like her to follow up with more questions in the next part. Please also see the questions raised by Tom Hall, Paco Smith and Burnya Bro in these comments.
These Lander quotes are taken from the transcript on the TRNN website.
"It is obvious that both sides in this confrontation are quite strong in their ways. The Maduro government still has some popular backing. Not what it used to be at all. It’s a minority now, but it’s still some backing." From what I understand — thanks to great journalism by Aaron Mate`, Max Blumenthal, Abby Martin et al — there is no comparison between the popularity of the two sides among Venezuelans. Later, "… the most important strength of the Guaido side of this conflict is obviously the U.S. government and the threat of intervention.". Does Lander believe in Venezuelan democracy at all? Does he not believe that US intervention in Ven (or any other nation) should be opposed forthwith?
"We didn’t meet Guaido as president or self-proclaimed president." Did Lander tell Guaido unequivocally that he (and his group) did not support Guaido's claim to be Interim President? "Your call for U.S. backing could lead to U.S. intervention." Did they tell him that they did not support his call for US intervention? After all, without US intervention, Guaido loses his "most important strength". You see how illogical, naive or disingenuous this Professor (whom I once admired), with a PhD from Harvard, is when you analyse his statements. These position statements can be made diplomatically when you meet a party for negotiation (assuming that's what you believe).
"Venezuelans are, to a large extent, desperate for a change in government." Does Lander mean that Venezuelans want Maduro and/or the Chavistas out of Government? If so, what evidence does he have to support this assertion? Maduro won ~68% of the vote just a year ago (20 May 2018), against 3 other candidates (Falcon ~21%, Bertucci ~11%, Quijada <1%). Even with the low turnout (47%), why does Lander claim that Maduro is not Venezuela's preferred President. I believe that Guaido's name recognition among Venezuelan's was less than 10% at the start of this crisis. Does Lander himself feel the "need to have new elections for all national elected officials"?
At this stage — after several failed coup attempts and probable sabotage — does Lander still think he can resolve the crisis by talking to Guaido? Is he willing, at this stage, to call Guaido what he is — a traitor and a US cat's paw. What does Lander believe in?
Sharmini, I would like to see you follow up with such inquiries in the interviews to come.
That's pretty wired that this guy as an educator and informed independent individual sees no problem Guaido being imbedded with CIA, Pentagon and obvious US Clonialism which is motivated by his country's national resources!🙄 Interestingly despite Guaido's crystal clear puppetship and treasonous affairs with CIA and US Imperialism he still sees Guaido as a "Legitimate Leader and Parlementerian and Maduro as a Minority leader despite democratic election result"!!! Which rising millions of eyebrows about his faithfulness to Venezuela and his decency about his native country's sovereignty! Isn't him under influence of his American side of brain? Because he sounds like pro providing US-Clonialism with what it wants via a soft ousting!
Lander isn't arguing in good faith. I say that because I have no reason to think he's a fool. When he says there are two sides which need to sit down and begin talks, he is speaking of the Venezuelan government and the elements arrayed under the banner of Juan Guaido. There are indeed two main forces in this struggle, and it might prove productive (though I doubt it) for them to engage in negotiations. But those two forces are the Venezuelan government and the Trump administration in Washington. Guaido and his supporters are organized, financed and in every respect sustained by the U.S. government. They have no operational autonomy- none. There is discontent and there is opposition in Venezuela. But the Guaido crowd is a wholly owned subsidiary of good old Uncle Sam. It can do no good at all to engage in phantom talks with someone who takes his orders from another who doesn't sit at the table. Any serious proposal for ending this crisis must center on the two main parties reaching some form of agreement- Caracas and Washington. There's simply nothing to be achieved by trying to negotiate with a puppet. Until his master agrees to occupy Guaido's chair at the table, discussions will prove fruitless.
Chavez and Maduro made huge mistakes. Their biggest mistake was not getting rid of the capitalist class in the country that has so much power over media, the economy and the political process.
THE OPPOSITION DON'T WANT TO GO TO ELECTION BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO CHANCE, THAT IS WHY THEY DOING ANYTHING TO OVERTHROW AN ELECTED PRESIDENT, THEY GO SO FAR AS TO CALL FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION FROM THE USA, REMEMBER THAT THE WAR IS ON BY THE SANCTION WHICH THE OPPOSITION ARE HAPPY KNOWING THAT SANCTIONS KILL PEOPLE WITHOUT GUNS
President of the Rich People of Venezuela, that’s what Guido IS! Stroke his Nutz Professor.
Awesome title!
The intent of the Citizens Platform for the Defense of the Constitution, was both a noble and novel effort, but I don't believe they thought out the potential implications, in terms of how it would be perceived by the public at-large.
I am not certain whether it was clearly conveyed by the aforementioned, prior to meeting with Guiado, that they, in no way, fashion or form recognised his self-proclaimed status as President of the Republic. Nonetheless, by virtue of reaching-out to Guiado, given his unconstitutional assertion of his role, seemingly did more harm and caused more confusion, than anything else.
The group is in an unenviable position, as I hope their intentions are pure. But when one is dealing with someone who is unquestionably working outside the parameters of the nation's constitution and is calling for foreign (US) intervention, in order to "legitimately" (in his mind and his US handlers) take-over power, in my view, no acknowledgement of him is warranted, as his actions are treasonous.
Lula calls for Venezuelan sovereignty and for the right for Venezuela to be allowed to make its own decisions – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93MgeyNqc_k
Waiting for Guaido to be locked up!
The more ligitament the elections are the louder they(Guido) will object to them. They know they don't have the votes. Stop asking permission from rich people for everything you do wimp.
P.S. your title should read: ''WAITING FOR GUAIDO TO GO TO PRISON.''
Gladioli is a traitor !
Lander and the Citizens Platform talked to Guaido in early February, more than 3 months ago. Has he or his group continued dialogue with Guaido since then? I get that he/they don't accept Guaido as President, interim or otherwise, but Guaido has been plotting coups! What does Lander think Guaido was trying to do on April 30th? Wasn't that an attempt to ignite a military coup and replace Maduro with himself? How can you recognize that kind of lawlessness? In any capacity? The only reason he hasn't been arrested for treason is because he clearly has U.S. backing and Maduro doesn't wish to provoke an incident that could lead to further U.S. escalations. Which just underscores what a treasonous pig Guaido is.
When was this interview recorded?
It's perfectly according to a constitution that Maduro gvt remained in power. Enough w/this nonsense of over-explaining the traitor's grievances. btw, Maduro just called for National Assembly elections, hopefully Guiado will be kicked out and put in prison.
American oligarchs oppress even their own people. What do you think they will do to average poor Venezuelans? The main difference between average Americans and average Venezuelans is that average Venezuelans are awake and their media isn’t totally controlled by oligarchs. Average Americans are still asleep and manipulated by oligarch controlled media. I do my best to wake people up, but the 50 and older generation I think are too far gone. The very fact that they would vote for Biden over Bernie is evidence of this.