244. The bully gets a fitting reply

In a daring move, Botswana's President, Duma Gideon Boko, has declined an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the White House.

 
 He emphasized that if Trump intends to discuss Botswana’s valuable resources, he should come to Botswana rather than the other way around. He pointed out that buyers seek out sellers. This clearly indicates a shift in power dynamics and shows how African leaders are now asserting greater control over their country's wealth. 

Botswana is a major diamond producer, and as global demand for its minerals grows, so does its influence. Africa is no longer just a place where global powers set the rules. Leaders like Boko are making sure they establish the terms.

Duma Gideon Boko, a Harvard-educated lawyer, brought an end to Botswana's nearly 60-year one-party rule.

 It seems Trump, with his abusive language, has upset many world leaders, and they try to avoid him.

Secondly, small countries are cautious of him due to his outrageous plans. Recently, he proposed that the US could consider a friendly takeover of Cuba amid rising tensions with Havana. He stated, “They have no money; they have nothing right now. But they’re talking with us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

However, his advisors need to remind him that history can repeat itself. It was the US financial dominance of the Cuban economy that played a key role in Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.

Initially, he pressured Venezuela to halt oil exports to Cuba by imposing an oil blockade, thereby crippling the island’s already fragile economy. 

Subsequently, Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez — now Venezuela’s acting president — assured cooperation and pledged to permit foreign companies to explore the country’s extensive oil reserves.

After a defeat in West Asia, Trump will certainly try to act on his Cuba plans, but in the long run, that will only prove disastrous for America.