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August 15, 2017

Venezuela: Thousands Attend Anti-Imperialist March as U.S. Threatens Military Intervention
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In Venezuela, thousands poured into the streets for an anti-imperialist
march on Monday to protest President Trump's comments saying the U.S.
may launch a military intervention in Venezuela. This is the Venezuelan
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.

Vladimir Padrino: "We do not admit into our country imperialist lords of
the United States government. It seems to us a delirious attitude, a
threatening attitude, a crazy attitude to threaten Venezuela with
weapons because, simply, all the previous phases could not be
consummated. The North American imperialists have removed their masks
and have gone directly to military aggression. They have completely
removed the masks."

On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence defended President Trump's comments
about a possible U.S. military intervention.

Vice President Mike Pence: "President Trump has made it very clear: We
will not stand by while Venezuela collapses into dictatorship. We will
not stand by as Venezuela crumbles. But it's important to note, as the
President said, that a failed state in Venezuela threatens the security
and prosperity of our entire hemisphere and of the people of the United
States of America."

Venezuela is home to some of the world's largest oil reserves. Vice
President Mike Pence made the comments while speaking in Colombia. Pence
is in Argentina today as part of a regional tour across Latin America.