'Socialist' Bernie Sanders Admits Venezuela in ‘Serious Humanitarian Crisis’
Senator calls on Maduro regime to cease the violence and allow aid into the country
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has finally admitted that 'socialist' Venezuela is going through a “serious humanitarian crisis” before calling on the Maduro regime to cease the violence and allow aid to come into the country.
But Sanders came under fire yesterday after he refused to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader.
The socialist also called for new elections in Venezuela, enraging lawmakers who are pushing for regime change in the country.
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Sander's did, however, appear to back down and take a more critical stance against Maduro on Saturday, admitting the country was enduring a “serious humanitarian crisis.”
“The people of Venezuela are enduring a serious humanitarian crisis,” Sanders wrote on Twitter.
“The Maduro government must put the needs of its people first, allow humanitarian aid into the country, and refrain from violence against protesters.”
The 78-year-old socialist told Mexican journalist Jorge Ramos that he believed there should be new elections in Venezuela, saying he disagreed with Donald Trump's efforts to oust the Maduro and launch a development toward democracy:
I think clearly he has been very, very abusive. That is a decision of the Venezuelan people, so I think, Jorge, there’s got to be a free and fair election. But what must not happen is that the United States must not use military force and intervene again as it has done in the past in Latin America, as you recall, whether it was Chile or Brazil or the Dominican Republic or Guatemala.
The people of Venezuela are enduring a serious humanitarian crisis. The Maduro government must put the needs of its people first, allow humanitarian aid into the country, and refrain from violence against protesters.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 23, 2019
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Maduro had previously championed Sanders as a “revolutionary friend” who should have beaten Donald Trump in the elections.
“Bernie Sanders, our revolutionary friend, ought to win in the United States,” Maduro said in 2016.
“If the elections in the United States did not depend on an archaic system from 200 years ago, Bernie Sanders would be president.”
Trump sided with Guaido in the leadership dispute, who proclaimed himself the country’s acting head, “officially” recognizing him as such.
Trump also describes Maduro’s government as an “illegitimate regime.”
According to RT, Maduro has responded by accusing the Trump Administration of "staging a coup" to overthrow him as the country's president.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin vowed his support for the elected government of Venezuela, criticizing “destructive external meddling” from outside foreign powers.
Putin vowed support to the legitimate authorities of Venezuela and slammed interference from the United States last month.
