He was shipped direct to the USA. Shipping him to Colombia would have been bad enough. I don’t see how to rationalize this as strategic retreat 🧵
-------------------------------------------------- 17 May, 2026 · 3:44 PM UTC
I know Alex Saab was not the Chavista equivalent of Evo, but Evo's supporters have mobilized to defend him. I fear Delcy - intentionally or not- is a doing a gradual demobilization of the Chavista base that could leave them defenceless agaist a fascist dirty war down the road.
-------------------------------------------------- 17 May, 2026 · 3:46 PM UTC
Defending Delcy now feels like defending Gorbachev in 1987/8- though of course what Gorbachev did was vastly worse. The USSR was not weak like Venezuela is. Gorbachev made it weak through whatever combination of treachery or incompetence.
-------------------------------------------------- 17 May, 2026 · 3:47 PM UTC
Also, I don't see how Delcy and her supporters can complain about suspicions that she betrayed Maduro. One of the costs of surrender is that - as in the case of Gobachev- many will understandably suspect you were a traitor all along.
-------------------------------------------------- 17 May, 2026 · 3:51 PM UTC
I'll of course be happy to be talked out of my interpretation, but I don't see how at the moment. This is very bad
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 3:05 AM UTC
Details are written up here by @OrinocoTribune . It's is grim
Quote Tweet Orinoco Tribune @OrinocoTribune 18 May, 2026 · 1:49 AM UTC
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 1:25 PM UTC
It doesn't stand up anymore to say defending Delcy is a rejection of defeatism. It's the opposite. People who do it now have to argue that nothing but surrender is possible.
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 1:25 PM UTC
To defend her, we may as well defend Lula, Petro or even Noboa since almost all countries on earth are small and weak relative to the U.S. We'd have to paint them all as blamesless victims if nothing but obeying Washington is possible
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 1:27 PM UTC
There is no way to achieve sovereignty and dignity without sacrifice and risk. Think about what it to bring about Chavez's electoral victory in 1998 that led to the Chavista era
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 1:28 PM UTC
Vzla has armed rebels in the Mountains for decades, armed semi rebels in urban areas, mutinous elements of military led by Chavez. All of that set stage for eventual electoral victories staring in 1998.
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 3:03 PM UTC
To have done an exchange of Saab for Maduro (& Celia) would have been dishonourable, but this wasn't even an exchange. Maduro and his wife are still hostages in the US.
-------------------------------------------------- 18 May, 2026 · 3:09 PM UTC
The U.S. will lean on Saab, using god knows what methods, to flip on Maduro. Now that will have a higher chance of working because Saab has been betrayed by Delcy et al. That may be what Delcy wants: Saab to flip on Maduro to help her rationalize doing so.
I am curious as to why people here think that she's not to blame?....nm
nmClio the cat, ?July 1997-1 May 2016 Kira the cat, ??2010-3 August 2018 Jasper the Ruffian cat ???-4 November 2021 Georgina the cat ?2006-4 December 2025 Toni the cat ?2005-25 March 2026
Why did some people here think Delcy was to blame, based on Sleboda's handwaving?
I'm not a Venezuela aficionado but Sumo was one of the sceptics.Clio the cat, ?July 1997-1 May 2016 Kira the cat, ??2010-3 August 2018 Jasper the Ruffian cat ???-4 November 2021 Georgina the cat ?2006-4 December 2025 Toni the cat ?2005-25 March 2026
on May 18, 2026, 4:19 pm