Venezuela

[mindlight]

From an international perspective the removal of Maduro in Venezuela is a big development:

1) Is this a variation on the theme of the Monroe doctrine (Donroe doctrine) - basically China and Russia should back out of exploiting Venezuelan wealth in oil and rare earths.
2) Can this be done by remote control or will boots on the ground be required. After Afghanistan there is not much popular support for another land war
3) Is this posturing for the mid terms or a part of a long term agenda driven by old style oil politics?
4) Since Trump has not removed the regime despite their links with drug cartels and their corruption does he plan to work with them so long as they allow US Oil companies back into the country and allow them to take their profits (debt repayment) in exchange for updating Venezuelan capital investment.
5) Should the international community turn a blind eye to the US deposing the president of another country however corrupt and dictatorial he was?

How realistic is Trump's plan here and what are its chances of success. Given the rise in US oil company shares this morning and oil infrastructure companies like Haliburton it looks like the markets are betting on a win right now.

 

[Lukaris]

I believe the Trump administration is making a big mistake in deposing Maduro. Our grievances about the Tren de Aragua drug lords are valid and one of many reasons for the necessary crackdown on illegal immigration to the US.

Haphazardly removing Maduro, however bad he is, undermines our own rights to our sovereignty in controlling illegal immigration. We have a right to defend our borders but not to violate the borders of other nations. Maduro had indicated he was willing to talk just a couple days before he was removed. There was a valid reason to pressure him to get his act together ( & I think he reluctantly realized it).

The previous Trump administration seemed to have a sensible, more isolationist approach. Foreign aid was not much of an issue although reforms were needed. Disengagement from useless alliances like NATO ( the Ukraine situation was static) looked hopeful. Our borders were secured and we could have renegotiated trade issues in a peaceful manner hopefully pivoting away as much as possible from the likes of China, Europe ( a few exceptions like Hungary or Poland perhaps),Canada, Australia etc.

Now what? Are we going to militarily coerce other states for our economy? When the GOP gets wiped out in 2026 and 2028, the US borders will collapse and the economy will contract. No one will want to negotiate with us and the leftists will happily sell out the sovereignty of the USA.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

From an international perspective the removal of Maduro in Venezuela is a big development:

1) Is this a variation on the theme of the Monroe doctrine (Donroe doctrine) - basically China and Russia should back out of exploiting Venezuelan wealth in oil and rare earths.
2) Can this be done by remote control or will boots on the ground be required. After Afghanistan there is not much popular support for another land war
3) Is this posturing for the mid terms or a part of a long term agenda driven by old style oil politics?
4) Since Trump has not removed the regime despite their links with drug cartels and their corruption does he plan to work with them so long as they allow US Oil companies back into the country and allow them to take their profits (debt repayment) in exchange for updating Venezuelan capital investment.
5) Should the international community turn a blind eye to the US deposing the president of another country however corrupt and dictatorial he was?

How realistic is Trump's plan here and what are its chances of success. Given the rise in US oil company shares this morning and oil infrastructure companies like Haliburton it looks like the markets are betting on a win right now.

Honestly, I dont believe Trump cares at all about the Venezuelan people, the drug cartels or anything relating to its economy. He only cares about money.
A plausible scenario would be the Trump Administration drafting a legal framework to secure long-term US corporate control over Venezuela's oil and mineral reserves. This deal would be a way to force a beneficial arrangement onto any new Venezuelan authorities, similar to the way the administration used the Ukraine agreement to gain access to that nation's critical rare earth and mineral resources. This type of framework is necessary to give large US companies the legal assurance they need to invest billions of dollars to get the Venezuelan oil industry running again and to forcefully remove the criminal syndicate control over the gold mines.

 

[mindlight]

I believe the Trump administration is making a big mistake in deposing Maduro. Our grievances about the Tren de Aragua drug lords are valid and one of many reasons for the necessary crackdown on illegal immigration to the US.

Haphazardly removing Maduro, however bad he is, undermines our own rights to our sovereignty in controlling illegal immigration. We have a right to defend our borders but not to violate the borders of other nations. Maduro had indicated he was willing to talk just a couple days before he was removed. There was a valid reason to pressure him to get his act together ( & I think he reluctantly realized it).

The previous Trump administration seemed to have a sensible, more isolationist approach. Foreign aid was not much of an issue although reforms were needed. Disengagement from useless alliances like NATO ( the Ukraine situation was static) looked hopeful. Our borders were secured and we could have renegotiated trade issues in a peaceful manner hopefully pivoting away as much as possible from the likes of China, Europe ( a few exceptions like Hungary or Poland perhaps),Canada, Australia etc.

Now what? Are we going to militarily coerce other states for our economy? When the GOP gets wiped out in 2026 and 2028, the US borders will collapse and the economy will contract. No one will want to negotiate with us and the leftists will happily sell out the sovereignty of the USA.

Isolationism sounds naive to me. Your version is even more extreme than the original Monroe doctrine and out of touch with modern realities. Take Venezuela as an example:

1) Some 10-13% of the USAs drug supply comes from there
2) Venezuela is sitting on oil reserves larger than those of Saudia Arabia and was making deals with China and Russia
3) Venezuela has many rare earths needed for the US economy.
4) Missile range - remember Cuba
5) A failed Venezuela puts pressure on Americas borders as migrants flee

Notice I have not even highlighted the moral case of taking on one of the most corrupt regimes on the planet - in league with drug cartels and oppressing and exploiting the Venezuelan people..

 

[mindlight]

Honestly, I dont believe Trump cares at all about the Venezuelan people, the drug cartels or anything relating to its economy. He only cares about money.
A plausible scenario would be the Trump Administration drafting a legal framework to secure long-term US corporate control over Venezuela's oil and mineral reserves. This deal would be a way to force a beneficial arrangement onto any new Venezuelan authorities, similar to the way the administration used the Ukraine agreement to gain access to that nation's critical rare earth and mineral resources. This type of framework is necessary to give large US companies the legal assurance they need to invest billions of dollars to get the Venezuelan oil industry running again and to forcefully remove the criminal syndicate control over the gold mines.

Big Oil is sponsoring Trumps campaign for his midterms. If this intervention works out he opens up the largest source of oil in the world to them and massively improves their credit scores. The stock market says it all. What makes me wonder is how Chevrons trade price was up 3.5% before trading even began - who profits being the obvious question. It was up 10% before most of us could think of buying and these original investors are already cashing in from the windfall.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Big Oil is sponsoring Trumps campaign for his midterms. If this intervention works out he opens up the largest source of oil in the world to them and massively improves their credit scores. The stock market says it all. What makes me wonder is how Chevrons trade price was up 3.5% before trading even began - who profits being the obvious question. It was up 10% before most of us could think of buying and these original investors are already cashing in from the windfall.

I think he's really after the gold. The more oil that comes available the less its worth.
So it is counterintuitive. The real hidden gem is gold.

 

[mindlight]

I think he's really after the gold. The more oil that comes available the less its worth.
So it is counterintuitive. The real hidden gem is gold.

The oil minister replaced Maduro. We are talking billions here of oil money and various deals with China and Russia have been cancelled since this began while Chevron are still pumping. Big Oil is a major Trump sponsor - the connection here seems too strong to ignore.

 

[Lukaris]

Isolationism sounds naive to me. Your version is even more extreme than the original Monroe doctrine and out of touch with modern realities. Take Venezuela as an example:

1) Some 10-13% of the USAs drug supply comes from there
2) Venezuela is sitting on oil reserves larger than those of Saudia Arabia and was making deals with China and Russia
3) Venezuela has many rare earths needed for the US economy.
4) Missile range - remember Cuba
5) A failed Venezuela puts pressure on Americas borders as migrants flee

Notice I have not even highlighted the moral case of taking on one of the most corrupt regimes on the planet - in league with drug cartels and oppressing and exploiting the Venezuelan people..

I believe Maduro, such as he is, was ready to negotiate because he had no choice. Maduro, I believe, is not a fool and political reform for Venezuela and US economic objectives were possible ( & I hope still are). How can I call myself America 1st but not respect the sovereignty of other nations?

This action just feeds into legitimate concerns held by the likes of Canada and Greenland ( & Denmark) over Trump’s rhetoric. Greenland can probably be easily negotiated with and the US needs to disengage ( as much as possible) from Canada.

 

[Laodicean60]

Are we going to militarily coerce other states for our economy?

I believe this on has put everyone on alert. Trump means business when it comes south America. I bet CIA is in Brazil stirring the pot, we'll see if we get a west friendly leader on their next election.
During Trumps first term Russia and China were obedient but now that they are allies it's a different world.

 

[Laodicean60]

The oil minister replaced Maduro

And Vice President who is a Maduro loyalist.

 

[Richard T]

I think he's really after the gold. The more oil that comes available the less its worth.
So it is counterintuitive. The real hidden gem is gold.

It is for sure more than oil. Goldman Sachs, Blackstone and many other USA financial companies and banks are owed more than the oil companies. Perhaps Trump props up Venezuela with U.S. government dollars and then our banks and big oil recoup more of their losses? The Bolivar has been tanking too. I am Ok with helping though because what really matters are Venezuelan's basic needs and they are plenty. Average pensions are the equivalent of 5 dollars a month there. I just hope Trump has a plan that will work and last while at the same time respect the consent of the governed.

 

[NBB]

The president lied to his voters and christians, i am not from usa, but i thought, so a president of usa suporting normal moral values and "anti war"?
that seem good, he was supposed to be "Anti war". Now he seem more bloodthirsty than others.

 

[Hans Blaster]

I believe the Trump administration is making a big mistake in deposing Maduro.

I agree.

Our grievances about the Tren de Aragua drug lords are valid and one of many reasons for the necessary crackdown on illegal immigration to the US.

Haphazardly removing Maduro, however bad he is, undermines our own rights to our sovereignty in controlling illegal immigration. We have a right to defend our borders but not to violate the borders of other nations. Maduro had indicated he was willing to talk just a couple days before he was removed. There was a valid reason to pressure him to get his act together ( & I think he reluctantly realized it).

The previous Trump administration seemed to have a sensible, more isolationist approach. Foreign aid was not much of an issue although reforms were needed. Disengagement from useless alliances like NATO ( the Ukraine situation was static) looked hopeful. Our borders were secured and we could have renegotiated trade issues in a peaceful manner hopefully pivoting away as much as possible from the likes of China, Europe ( a few exceptions like Hungary or Poland perhaps),Canada, Australia etc.

Now what? Are we going to militarily coerce other states for our economy? When the GOP gets wiped out in 2026 and 2028, the US borders will collapse and the economy will contract. No one will want to negotiate with us and the leftists will happily sell out the sovereignty of the USA.

lol

 

[Laodicean60]

Russia and China were obedient but now that they are allies it's a different world.

Good timing lol a day after China gave Maduro security agreement. Seems Chinese radar needs improvement.

https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/202512/t20251203_11766027.html#:~:text=Lin%20Jian:%20On%20December%202,the%20principle%20of%20international%20law.