Another day, another US sanction against Venezuelan apparatchicks

There was a small surprise of sorts today: an executive order from the White House removing visa to a few Venezuelan officials, with possible sanctions to follow of a strictly material nature. That is right, 7 Venezuelans folks who are accused justifiedly of human rights violations have had their travel visas to the US revoked. And they are under investigation for possible assets in the US that will be frozen. That is all, nothing much really, considering that today few chavistas should have significant assets in the US after the Carvajal affair.

Still, that was enough to make chavismo hyperventilate, reaching paroxysms such at Telesur which has totally forgotten what international media is supposed to be all about. I translate for you the tile of an article there: Threatening Venezuela, Obama declares war on the continent.

Just like that.

Of course, as usual, the regime reaction is anything but. But being to stop the shipments of oil to the US. Do not worry about searching for that, you will not find it but you will find plenty of hot air, envoys recalled and what not. When all is said Venezuela will never take any serious action against the only client left that pays in cash and in had currency. Revolutions do not last much on empty stomachs.

This being said why is suddenly Obama toughening up?

There is GOP pressure and that bone will do for the time being. But somehow that is not enough to explain it.

There is the blunder by Maduro of reducing US embassy staff. But the US should be delighted to reciprocate and send back Venezuelans home and close the consulates.

Or simply put the US has decided to assume its role in the continent, to demand that the other countries decide between the US and Venezuela. Enough of looking the other way. Even being quiet the US is being aggressed non stop by Venezuela (and friends elsewhere). Time to demand the cowardly establishment to do its job and at least silence the roquet.

Note: never mind that it sends a message to the Castros stalling the negotiations with the US and on the FARC. Also, did Colombia and Brazil knew about that before visiting Caracas last Friday?