CENTRAL AMERICA/FOREIGN AID/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VENEZUELA: “The Trump administration is preparing an economic relief package for Venezuela that would put United States dollars directly into the hands of Venezuelans in the event that the government of President Nicolás Maduro falls. Larry Kudlow, the director of the White House’s National Economic Council, disclosed the outlines of the plan on Wednesday as he called on Mr. Maduro to step aside and allow Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader whom the United States recognizes as Venezuela’s interim president, to take office. Plans for a comprehensive aid package for Venezuela come as President Trump is cutting aid to other countries, including Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, out of frustration over the way those nations have handled their migration policies. Mr. Trump has also threatened to cut funding to Puerto Rico, a United States territory, over its handling of federal hurricane relief funds…Venezuela has been crippled for years by hyperinflation and a failing economy that has led millions to flee for Colombia and other countries. The nation has been further disrupted since January, when opposition political leaders refused to acknowledge as legitimate the re-election of Mr. Maduro. The United States has thrown its support behind Mr. Guaidó, who declared himself interim president that month.”
–Alan Rappeport, “Trump Prepares Aid Package for Venezuela in Case Maduro Government Falls,” The New York Times online, April 3, 2019