As possible civil war looms for Venezuela, America must tread most carefully

The rightful leader of Venezuela Juan Guaidó in trying to force out the usurper Nicolas Maduro, Tuesday met with military leaders previously seen as loyal to Maduro. We pray there is no violence.

Despite the united stand of Latin America and Washington recognizing Guaidó as the president, Maduro has refused to leave the office he’s held since he succeeded Hugo Chavez in 2013. He’s wrecked the economy with an authoritarian brand of socialism that has sent inflation spiraling 80,000 percent, terrorized political opponents and caused nearly 4 million people to flee the country. Its oil riches have drained up in the face of international sanctions.

Guaidó is scheduling a massive march on Wednesday as a show of support to oust Maduro.

The people of Venezuela need to settle this precarious situation themselves. America can give aid where possible, but given our fraught history in the region, must do so delicately.

National security adviser John Bolton urging the military to side with Guaidó may technically be right, but he’s hardly the best person to say it.

Conversely, President Trump may have struck just the right tone in focusing America’s attention and influence elsewhere: Charging Cuba with engaging in military operations in and sending thousands of counterintelligence advisers into Venezuela, Trump threatened heightened sanctions and a full-fledged embargo unless those operations come to a halt “immediately.”

Good for him.

Juan Guaidó and the Venezuelan people must find a way get Maduro out. Minimizing outside interference — whether it comes from the U.S., Cuba (or erstwhile patrons Russia and China) — is best for all concerned.

— New York Daily News