Source: RT en Español
What it’s about: During an interview with RT, Bolivian President Evo Morales spoke about the issues Latin America faces. According to Morales, the most significant is countering U.S. advancements in the region. Speaking on Venezuela and the situation in Nicaragua, Morales said that when the U.S. can’t successfully conspire against a country’s government, they opt for a military option. Morales claims that during his trip to the region last year, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was advocating for a military option in Venezuela after President Donald Trump failed to get support from regional leaders. Morales speculates that the real reason for U.S. interest in Venezuela is its natural resources. He says that Venezuela’s oil resources are the main reason for a U.S. intervention and cites U.S. involvement in Libya and Iraq as evidence.
Why it’s misleading: While Morales is correct that regional leaders told President Donald Trump they don’t support a military intervention in Venezuela, Vice President Pence was not advocating for such an option during his 2017 trip across Latin America. While Pence declined to rule out possible military action, he stressed that the U.S. would much rather reach a “peaceful” solution to the growing crisis. In discussing the reasons for U.S. intervention in the region, Morales also fails to address the spiraling economic, political and humanitarian crises currently happening in Venezuela. The U.S. has provided countries in the region, predominantly Colombia and Brazil, with aid to help curb the influx of Venezuelans who are leaving their country. Morales also refers to an economic block against Venezuela, which doesn’t exist.