Why time is ripe for US to address Venezuela's mess

[Zorro]

Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest oil reserves and its crisis isn't likely to reach Syrian levels. Nevertheless, people are leaving. First, it was the country’s professionals and economically comfortable. Now, even the poor and middle class are pulling up stakes as the economy’s tailspin deepens.

In recent months more than 30,000 Venezuelans have crossed the border into Brazil’s Roraima state – and stayed, straining local services. Countries from Colombia and Chile to the United States are reporting a surge in arrivals of migrants and asylum seekers from Venezuela’s middle and working classes.

The humanitarian dimensions of the nation’s crisis and its growing regional impact are spurring Venezuela’s neighbors, including the US, to be more active in pressing for a resolution of the country’s deep political and economic woes, many regional experts say.

The question is whether President Nicolás Maduro – and Venezuela’s fractured political opposition – are ready for that.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-time-ripe-us-address-venezuelas-mess-172521590.html

[whatthehey]

1. Any effort to do so will be resented and cause a backlash

If Venezuela wants substantive help, they must ask for it and have political and economic infrastructure in place so that it does lasting good. Otherwise it will be no more helpful in the long term than dropping food parcels in Somalia.

[truebluegreen]

2. I'd say the time is right for US to stay the eff out of it.