Subject: Re: Venezuela - Who and How
I think what we're seeing is a lack of preparation ahead of time - looks like we're winging it. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. - Lambo

-----------------------------

I think the future is pretty bleak. It is a humongous leap from "Maduro is out" to "we will run the country until ...?".

Maduro is gone but every other Maduro civil servant remains. The US has no command and control over the existing bureaucracy or the military, most of which is fraught with corruption up and down the line. The gangs still roam the countryside intimidating local populations as they ply their trade. How in the hell can Trump have a realistic chance of stopping most of this corruption and crime, short of occupation. How to establish enough order to actually reconstruct infrastructure is only part of the problem. How do you establish enough confidence in long term stability for outside investors to commit the necessary billions to the country?

I fear the near term effect will be added violence as the various cartels vie for the spoils now that the "order" maintained by Maduro is gone. Sad times ahead. FWIW, most of the world seems to be celebrating that Maduro is out not yet facing the now what conundrum.