Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed the United Nations Security Council on Saturday, slamming Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. And he was magnificent. Not only did he charge Maduro with turning Venezuela into Hell-on-Earth, he also criticized Russia and China for their support of Maduro. Cuba received a drubbing, too.

Venezuela, as you recall, has turned into chaos, with citizens rioting against Maduro’s socialist government. Then on Wednesday, opposition leader and National Assembly President Juan Guiadó declared himself to be interim president of the beleaguered nation. So the United Nations Security Council decided to meet to discuss what to do about Venezuela. Finally.

Maracaibo, Venezuela. Credit: pixabay. Free for use.

Of course you know that the U.N. has been pretty toothless when it comes to solving world problems. However, when Mike Pompeo took the microphone, he minced no words. He criticized the U.N. for its previous inaction when former Ambassador Nikki Haley tried to draw attention to Venezuela:

“My former colleague, Ambassador Haley, lobbied for a year to get the council to address Venezuela but her pleas fell on deaf ears. This meeting is long overdue. And you all know why it’s overdue.” 

He told horror stories of the misery endured by the Venezuelan people: of babies dying of starvation, of people rooting through dumpsters for food, of teenage girls forced into prostitution to survive. He cited the horrible statistics of life in Venezuela:

“Today nine out of ten citizens live in poverty. Millions lack access to drinking water and food. Three out of four hospitals have been abandoned. Three million Venezuelans have been forced to flee their homeland thereby flooding the region and threatening international peace and security.”

And then Pompeo threw down the gauntlet:

“And now it’s time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem.

Some countries have publicly taken former President Maduro’s side. China, Russia, Syria, and Iran are just four of them. . . .”

Mike Pompeo came to the UN to kick butt and name names.

It appears that Pompeo made some headway, too, as several European Union nations, including Spain, France, Britain, and Germany, decided to stand with “the forces of freedom.” Spanish president Pedro Sanchez gave Venezuela eight days to hold fair elections or it would “recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuelan president.”

Nicolas Maduro even did a bit of back-pedaling later on Saturday, when he pulled back on his decision to break diplomatic ties with the U.S. and expel all diplomats by this weekend. He’s letting them stay for another 30 days.

Finally, on Saturday evening, Venezuela’s highest ranking military diplomat broke with Maduro. Col. José Luis Silva, military attaché at the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, kicked Maduro to the curb:

“As the Venezuelan defense attaché in the United States, I do not recognize Mr. Nicolás Maduro as president of Venezuela.”

“My message to all armed forces members, to everyone who carries a gun, is to please let’s not attack the people. We are also part of the people, and we’ve had enough of supporting a government that has betrayed the most basic principles and sold itself to other countries.”

Silva continued with an impassioned plea for his military to step up for their countrymen, and to not fear reprisals from Maduro:

“Captains, commanders: Think about everyone who suffers. Don’t forget that your wives also can’t find milk for your children. Don’t forget that your mothers and fathers also can’t find pills for their [blood] pressure.”

And when you’re a Latin American strongman who’s lost support of his military, then you can kiss your power goodbye.

Meanwhile, Russia tried unsuccessfully to block the Security Council meeting and denounced the U.S. According to the Russian ambassador, Vassily Nabenzia:

“Venezuela does not pose any threat to peace and security. The intention of the United States is to orchestrate a coup d’etat.” 

Blah, blah, blah. Russia can snarl all it wants about Venezuela, but Pompeo is standing firm. As he told reporters outside the Security Council meeting:

“The Russians have chosen to support the Maduro regime, I hope they will change their way.”

I hope so too, but when it comes to Russia, I won’t hold my breath. But I do want to applaud Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his strong stand in support for Venezuela. Well done, Mr. Secretary.

Featured image: cropped from newsonline @ flickr. Attribution 2.0 Generic.