Quote:

The Trump administration is preparing to add Venezuela to the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism in what would be a dramatic escalation against the socialist government of Nicolás Maduro, according to U.S. officials and internal government emails.

The list is reserved for governments accused of repeatedly providing “support for acts of international terrorism” and includes only Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

Republican lawmakers led by Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) have pushed for the designation

---

I guess that's what you get for leaning too far socialist.  I don't think we're considering Israel or Saudi Arabia for the list. 

Quote:

The Venezuelan government has tried to cover up the extent of the crisis by enforcing a near-total blackout of health statistics, and by creating a culture in which doctors are often afraid to register cases and deaths that may be associated with the government’s failures.

Venezuela has been shuddering since its economy began to collapse in 2014. Riots and protests over the lack of affordable food, excruciating long lines for basic provisions, soldiers posted outside bakeries and angry crowds ransacking grocery stores have rattled cities, providing a telling, public display of the depths of the crisis.

President Nicolás Maduro has acknowledged that people are hungry in Venezuela, but he has refused to accept international aid, often saying that Venezuela’s economic problems are caused by foreign adversaries like the United States, which he says is waging an economic war against his country.

---

The Ecstatic said:

Probably

---

XUL said:

First, do you believe that starving your country is terrorism?

Second, is it terrorism for Maduro to decline international food aid for his people while they are starving?

Three, do you believe socialism in Venezuela is working?

---

shivas.wisdom said:

XUL said:

First, do you believe that starving your country is terrorism?

Second, is it terrorism for Maduro to decline international food aid for his people while they are starving?

Three, do you believe socialism in Venezuela is working?

---

First, no; terrorism should remained defined as 'violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims'. I believe that starvation among Venezuelan citizens is a result of poor government management, and not an attempt to achieve political aims.

Two, no; see above. It is stubborn, selfish, and cruel, but not terrorism.

Three, I believe an economy that is completely dependent on the export of a single commodity is failing. How socialistic or capitalistic Venezuela is doesn't matter in the face of their complete lack of economic diversification.

---

shivas.wisdom said:

Did I defend it? I merely don't believe it qualifies as terrorism.

---

XUL said:

I don't condone bombing civilians. Show me sufficient evidence that America purposely murders innocent civilians and I will take a look.

Arming rebels is fine as long as the cause is just.

---