Why is TRUMP PUSSYFOOTING ON VENEZUELA

Because Venezuela is a Russian ally.

​He knew it the day he passed the Executive Order banning the Venezuelan cryptocurrency that he had, inadvertently, stepped on Putin's toes. The Cryptocurrency called "Petro" was not only State Backed, but was also a half-hidden joint venture between Venezuelan and Russian officials and Businessmen( Time reports March 2018) .

The "Petro" was meant to  link the value of the Venezuelan Oil Reserves and pictures of the inauguration ceremony was attended by Maduro's closest Russian  Advisors , Denis Druzhkov and Fyodor Bogorodsky, billionaires with close ties to the Kremlin. 

For years, Russia has attempted to thwart  United States'  leadership in all global affairs. The use of cryptocurrencies, in effect, could help the  hurt the control United States would have in controlling flow of money in and out of sanctioned countries , for instance.  This would also help Russia's mission in promoting international trade in other currencies than the US Dollar.  Russia has rushed to become the hub of the cryptocurrency market.  Venezuela is an experiment for Russia.  

​One of their more ambitious ideas has been to create a digital version of the ruble that would mimic key elements of Bitcoin. The Russian Central Bank has, however, resisted this idea, because it would risk destabilizing Russia’s actual currency. Instead of running the risk of doing this on the Ruble, Russia encouraged Maduro to run this experiment in Venezuela.  Sanctioned by the United States, Venezuela is highly dependent on Russian Loans and Investments.  Russia and China have vetoed the UN Resolution calling for new presidential elections in Venezuela. They are comfortable with their hold on Venezuela. 

VENEZUELA IS A RUSSIAN STRONGHOLD. 

For now, Maduro, with the help of his allies, had withstood the impact of the challenge of Guaido  to overthrow his Presidency. However, he is at war with his own people.  With huge oil reserves, suffering hyperinflation, shortages of food, water, medicines,  the situation is precarious and may not be continue without further bloodshed.  The fruadulent elections of last year, have been denounced by most of the world and Maduro is anything but a legitimate President.  

Given Russia's interests, for Trump to initiate military action , would antagonize his hero, and probably , that would have been the nature of the 90-minute call between the two friends  yesterday. As he has tried and successfully done in Syria, Putin will make America useless in Venezuela.  There seems to be talks between Trump and Putin to let Maduro escape to Cuba as per Financial Times reporting. Will Putin snub the US again or Will Trump play a sanctions game with Russia ?  China has a powerful role to play here as well. A little intervention on their part could really change the entire power play.  How far will this happen without violence?  This is for us to see in the next few days.