US Diplomats Expelled
Three high ranking diplomats were expelled from Venezuela yesterday. They need to be out of the country by noon tomorrow. It’s all over the global news, but here’s a quick link to one article.
The gist is that President Maduro claims they met with the opposition in order to cause the food shortages and the electrical outages. Conspiracy theorists would say, “yes of course the US is doing that” (see the comments on the linked article above), just look at the history of US intervention in South America and Venezuela in particular. Truly, the history can’t be denied. However, having lived here, it’s clear that the blame can’t fall squarely on any one side of the issue.
I immediately started to wonder what this will do for the general anti-american sentiment that the government foments here. Will the average government supporter be more hostile to US Citizens? I suppose when it comes up in casual conversation I’ll continue to claim Canada as my motherland.
This announcement affects us at school, not because it’s unusual — it’s not (something similar happened six months ago) — but because I taught one of the diplomats children every day last year and had him in my advisory again this year. Thankfully he was able to come to school today and say good-bye to his friends. He was in good spirits and the family seems to be staying positive. International students are accustomed to seeing friends come and go, but I imagine such an unplanned disruption can never be easy.
We wish the best for all three families and peace to all involved.
Fino Cambur 