Senator Rubio calls for military coup in Venezuela

“The world would support the Armed Forces in #Venezuela if they decide to protect the people & restore democracy by removing a dictator,” Florida Senator Rubio wrote.

The world would support the Armed Forces in #Venezuela if they decide to protect the people & restore democracy by removing a dictator

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 9, 2018

Soldiers eat out of garbage cans & their families go hungry in #Venezuela while Maduro & friends live like kings & block humanitarian aid

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 9, 2018

“Cuando la tiranía se hace ley, la rebelión es un derecho”. Bolivar

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 9, 2018

Rubio’s tweets come after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday hinted at his support for a coup d’etat in Venezuela, as well as more sanctions including an embargo on Venezuela’s valuable oil exports.

The Trump administration is seeking to ramp-up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist regime in the wake of alleged human rights abuses against political dissidents in the country.

“In the history of Venezuela and South American countries, it is often times that the military is the agent of change when things are so bad and the leadership can no longer serve the people,” Tillerson said at the University of Texas in Austin on Thursday.

Responding to Tillerson’s statements, Jorge Arreaza, the Venezuelan foreign minister, wrote: “Our sovereign democracy does not obey imperialist pressures, it obeys a free people.”

La gira de Tillerson, aparte de confirmar lealtades carnales de algunas élites gobernantes hacia D. Trump, no fue más que una demostración de la obsesión y de amenazas contra Venezuela. Nuestra Democracia soberana no obedece a presiones imperialistas, obedece a un pueblo libre

— Jorge Arreaza M (@jaarreaza) February 8, 2018

Venezuela is scheduled to have a presidential election on April 22 after mediation talks between Maduro’s leftist government and an opposition coalition broke down on Wednesday.

In January, Rubio urged President Donald Trump to adopt sanctions against Diosdado Cabello, an important ally of Maduro.

Many on Twitter were less than impressed by Rubio’s latest foray into US foreign policy.

And as a registered Florida voter you can be sure I'll be "altering" you next election since you can't seem to remember which country you work for.

— Pam Seater (@PamSeater) February 9, 2018

Sir I really understand your concern for Venezuela (I am married to a Venezuelan). However would not the situation there be better handled by the international community leaving you to concentrate on what’s wrong with Florida?

— Brett Cairns (@bc766) February 9, 2018

*looks around*

Who called for a military coup? Certainly wasn’t me. But ignoring the takeover of our democracy by a foreign power? I guarantee you that won’t end well. For anyone.

— Sheriff, House Velazquez (@hewhocounts) February 9, 2018

How many countries are we now occupying and plotting to overthrow and occupy? In the meantime, Americans go hungry and can't afford healthcare. You do realize that this trajectory is not sustainable…right?

— Ms Rutabaga (@rutabaga_ms) February 9, 2018