President Donald Trump’s bold announcement on Venezuela is being applauded by even some of his staunchest critics.
But it is trapping some, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez into a dilemma of her own making.
The self-proclaimed Democratic socialist has been strangely silent on Twitter, her megaphone to over 2.6 million followers, after the president announced his administration would officially recognize Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaidó as the country’s president in the wake of a public outcry in the country against Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro.
The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime. Today, I have officially recognized the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela. https://t.co/WItWPiG9jK
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez refused to either back Trump or directly condemn the human rights offenses by the socialist Venezuelan regime, only calling the president’s decision to recognize Maduro’s opposition as “concerning” in an interview with The Daily Caller.
“Our office is monitoring it closely. I think that, you know, the humanitarian crisis is extremely concerning but, you know, when we use non-Democratic means to determine leadership, that’s also concerning, as well,” the freshman New York lawmaker told the outlet on Thursday. “So, we’re figuring out our response and making sure that we center the people of Venezuela first and foremost.”
The 29-year-old called out Trump’s decision as “non-Democratic,” while not addressing how Maduro, who just began his second six-year term after what many condemn as unfair elections, has systematically handled opposition.
The national Democratic Socialists of America have demanded Ocasio-Cortez take a stand against “American imperialism” and the “coup” in Venezuela. The North Jersey DSA chapter tweeted a call to the “DSA endorsed representatives,” naming Ocasio Cortez and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
North Jersey DSA condemns the US government’s recognition of Venezuela’s coup, and call on DSA endorsed representatives @RashidaTlaib and @AOC to stand with us against American imperialism. Hands off Venezuela!https://t.co/BPrekhI45J
— North Jersey DSA ? (@NorthNJDSA) January 24, 2019
While Ocasio-Cortez has not tweeted her own statement, she did re-post one by Democratic colleague Ro Khanna of California.
The DSA was not satisfied.
She has a massive platform and growing influence within the democratic party. Retweeting a few sentences that are not explicitly anti imperialist is not nearly enough of what we would expect from a true socialist politician.
— North Jersey DSA ? (@NorthNJDSA) January 24, 2019
Meanwhile, Trump has found vocal support for his decision including praise from former United States ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.
Maduro’s election was a total sham. Thank you President @realDonaldTrump for your leadership recognizing Juan Guaidó and supporting the will of the Venezuelan people to take back their country, from a corrupt socialist regime, through democratic elections. #MaduroMustGO https://t.co/y95gpzy7ju
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 23, 2019
Even CNN and Telemundo contributor, Ana Navarro, was able to celebrate Trump’s decision.
Bravo! I strongly applaud this action by Donald Trump of standing in solidarity with the freedom-loving people of venezuela. I’m going to take two Tylenol and go lay down now. https://t.co/lN38SS9ufq
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) January 23, 2019
For Ocasio-Cortez, however, the lack of a definitive statement has created a bit of a predicament.
Don’t be fooled by “hip” dancing members of Congress.
This is how socialism always ends: revolution.pic.twitter.com/Vvx1mz5VFl
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) January 23, 2019
Hundreds of thousands taking to the streets in Venezuela to protest the oppressive, violent, economy killing socialism that people like @AOC so desperately want’s to impose on America.
This is a dangerous lesson from our neighbors in South America:
Socialism destroys & kills pic.twitter.com/zVGyrDrvMX
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 23, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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