Update on Snowden and Venezuela

Update on Snowden and Venezuela

The President of Venezuela offered a so called "humanitarian asylum" or a "collective asylum"-note that I have never heard of these 2 legal figures, but I guess it is a new invention of the Bolivarian Revolution - to Snowden a few days ago. Last night Snowden made an asylum petition to the Venezuelan government, as well as to the Bolivian and Nicaraguan. (See the video at http://www.eluniversal.com/internacional/caso-snowden/130708/venezuela-recibio-solicitud-de-asilo-de-snowden).

You are also probably aware of the fact that the US government has requested all the States to refrain from allowing Edward Snowden to travel to any destination but the US. Thus, it seems quite unlikely that Snowden will have an easy trip towards either: Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Interestingly, to fly from Russia to any of these countries the plane will have to fly over Europe and we know what happened with Bolivia's Presidential plane...

Venezuela's government has offered asylum to Snowden and Snowden has formally requested it. It seems like a match made in heaven, but again, to what cost for Venezuela? Is the US going to retaliate in case the asylum is granted? If so, to what extent? Is the retaliation legit on legal grounds?

To me, this offer from the Venezuelan Government is nothing but a challenge against the US. It reminds me of a rebel teenager. Unfortunately for Venezuela and Venezuelans our government does the same thing –or worse- that what Snowden revealed. Also, Maduro is using this "asylum offer" to bash and hit the opposition when saying that they are working for the interests of the US or are paid by the CIA.

Lastly, I could not stop being astonished by a last comment by Maduro: Venezuela is a sovereign country, only ruled by the people of Venezuela. I imagine the Castro family in Cuba must be smiling.