International

New Dem Rep. Omar: US shouldn’t ‘hand pick’ leaders in Venezuela or support ‘coup’ attempt

Stefani Reynolds

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) urged the Trump administration on Friday against supporting the opposition to Nicolás Maduro’s government in Venezuela.

In a series of tweets, the lawmaker wrote that the U.S. should cease supporting “coup” attempts in foreign countries, noting that the declaration by Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaidó that he is the country’s legitimate president was not supported by Venezuela’s Supreme Court.

{mosads}”We cannot hand pick leaders for other countries on behalf of multinational corporate interests,” Omar wrote. “The legislature cannot seize power from the President, and Venezuela’s Supreme Court has declared their actions unconstitutional.”

“If we really want to support the Venezuelan people, we can lift the economic sanctions that are inflicting suffering on innocent families, making it harder for them to access food and medicines, and deepening the economic crisis,” she continued. “We should support dialogue, not a coup!”

Guaidó took an oath as interim president earlier this week amid nationwide marches in opposition to Maduro. The U.S. and many Latin American countries have recognized Guaidó’s claim to the presidency, prompting Maduro to break off relations with the United States and give U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country. 

Omar’s tweets come as other members of her party have issued statements supporting U.S. intervention in the country, including Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who said in this week that President Trump and the U.S. had “appropriately” recognized Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) this week challenged Durbin’s support for Guaidó, stating that the U.S. should be cautious “during an internal, polarized conflict.”

“With respect Senator Durbin, the US should not anoint the leader of the opposition in Venezuela during an internal, polarized conflict. Let us support Uruguay, Mexico, & the Vatican’s efforts for a negotiated settlement & end sanctions that are making the hyperinflation worse,” Khanna tweeted.

Tags Dick Durbin Donald Trump Ilhan Omar Ro Khanna

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