Other than Chavistas, I doubt anyone is shedding a tear over the rendition of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. I have heard that the War Powers Act and UN Charter were violated. That's a hard sell. Under the War Powers Act, the President must notify Congress within 48 hours of being engaged in hostilities, and he has done so. And the Charter does allow one nation to attack another if it is doing so to defend itself, as the US could claim after being inundated with illegal drugs. So I have no problem with grabbing Maduro, who is under indictment. His real crime is what he has done to his own people, who suffer from malnutrition, widespread violent crime and brutal repression. He should answer for that as well.
But that's not why Trump has taken such action. It's not about illegal drugs flooding into this country. It's not about Maduro's refusal to honor an election in which he lost. It's not about his brutal regime. Those are mere pretext for what Trump really wants. He was pretty open about it and mentioned it at least 20 times in a rambling news conference in which he announced what happened. It's about the oil. In his own words, he wants to "run" the country, just like he wants to "run" Canada and Greenland. He wants the natural resources.
I believe that Bernie Sanders put it best:
"Trump's attack on Venezuela will not make the United States and the world safer. Quite the contrary. This brazen violation of international law gives a green light to any nation on earth that may wish to attack another country to seize their resources or change their governments.
"This is the horrific logic of force that Putin used to justify his brutal attack on Ukraine.
"Trump and his administration have made it clear that they want to revive the Monroe Doctrine, the belief that the United States has the right to dominate the affairs of the hemisphere. They have spoken openly about controlling Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. Let’s not hesitate to call this policy out for what it is. This is rank imperialism. It recalls the darkest chapters of U.S. interventions in Latin America, which have left a terrible legacy. It will and should be condemned by the democratic world."
Under Trump's logic, Putin's attack on Ukraine is entirely justified, and China would have every right to grab Taiwan.
Aside from the blatant resource grab, we should all know by now that occupying forces are never welcome in another country.
50 comments:
Rubio's clarification on Sunday that we're NOT going to RUN Venezuela was meant as damage control for his boss. Hopefully we will provide some services beyond pumping their oil for our purse.
Oh no!
Please, not a violation of the U.N. Charter!!!
Oh the humanity!!!!
You are one bad American You are deranged and want more Americans to die from drugs
As usual you and the democrats are on the wrong side of an issue first of all you lie Trump is not going to run Venezuela, He is doing what should have been done a long time ago. You are deranged and go against our great president no matter what.
Taiwan is China, just a small detail.
Here’s a factoid: Kiev was the first capital of the Rus.
Bernie Panders is the biggest fraud in contemporary American politics.
He folded faster than a cheap tent to Hillary at the Philadelphia Convention. His record as an effective legislator is zero.
The vacuous AOC is the heir to Senator Panders hollow antics and empty rhetoric.
The rules based world order is, and has always been, a facade. It hasn't stopped Russia, and it never would have constrained China. At least the masks have dropped. This is a great powers competition.
"No Kings". Trump removed a king. Liberals are still unhappy. Liberals are just unhappy, permanently, because they're liberal.
Who could have expected this take from one of the usual TDS suspects? Meanwhile, Venezuelans love what happened and your guy in Ukraine still hasn't scheduled elections. Stick to flaking for county Dems. It's your wheelhouse. I suggest you and yours impeach Trump for the fiftieth time. Yeah. That'll fix him.
Beware the rabid dog in the white house and its twin in the pentagon.
Watch for it. He's going to change the name of Caracas to Trumpsville.
I'm sorry this happened to you. You're consistent in supporting unelected dictators and this is a sad time. The price of coke is going to skyrocket. Feel better. It's a rough time for all of us.
There’s the world we want and the world we got.
I’m not saying any of this is right, but I see the logic in the move.
Remember playing the game risk as a kid? Every move had a risk and reward equation.
First this is about China lets face it, the US does not want China setting up shop in our backyard. They invade countries in a stealthier manner. Do you need a port? China will finance it, and when the corrupt local government defaults on the loan the Chinese take over. Read the economic hitman, China is following the United States playbook.
Second, this is about oil and natural resources, the large national oil companies had a huge presence in Venezuela before Chavez nationalized (and screwed up) the industry, in 2015 Exxon discovered a large offshore oil and gas reserve in Guyana. Venezuela then proceeds to make claims to Guyana’s reserves. I’m sure someone’s phone rang after that.
Third, if the oil and gas reserves are “managed” by the US and its allies in SA, the heavy crude can be shipped to the US refineries in the gulf that were specifically designed to refine heavy crude. Now we have to import tar sands from Canada which has been a pain in our butt as of late. Canada will lose its largest customer, and its infrastructure is not ready to ship to Asia. This also cuts off China from Venezuelan oil, so they have to go look elsewhere.
Fourth – If we pull this off oil prices should drop significantly which puts more pressure on Russia to deal on the Ukraine.
Finally, fifth – The people of Venezuela have a “chance” to rebuild their lives after the warm embrace of socialism.
The democrats are full of crap as much as the republicans are, lets send our kids to the “Learing Center”, that’s another topic.
Will we screw this up? Probably. The country is broken in economics, government, morals and decency. This is another hail Mary pass. I hope we catch the pass and score a late touchdown – im tired of the fourth turning and look to better days ahead.
Yes! Let us listen to Sen. Bernie (O'Hare) Sanders, a wannbe commie who shoulda been president (Damn you Hillary!) for guidance.
Yes, Rubio also said that when Trump says something, he means it. And he said "we're going to run" it. He dismissed the democratically elected party as not being respected. I'd translate that to mean she would be more interested in keeping poll profits for Venezuelans than in sending them to a few very rich people.
Like I said, that argument carries no weight. What does bother me is Trump's desire to run another country. That's pretty rich bc he can't even run this one.
That iis exactly what he said.
Instead of attacking Sanders personally, why not address what he said?
If you really want to go there, then you'd have to argue I want more Europeans to die from drugs bc that's where most of the Venezuelan drugs go. Also, Trump has outright pardoned or granted clemency to over 100 drug dealers, so I'd say that perhaps you should address your anger at him. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/12/07/trump-drugs-pardons-hernandez-venezuela/
Was Biden never going to execute the warrant his administration obtained? Biden started this. The Monroe Doctrine lives. Citing super rich guy, Bernie "Three Homes" Sanders just make you look pathetic. I predict Venezuela will hold elections before Ukraine.
Like I said, I shed no tears for the thug. What really bothers me is that he is going to try to take over another sovereign country.
This is what happens when you give Al Capone an Army and Navy.
I see nothing wrong with a little American Imperialism if it is done well and benefits both the US and the new colony state.
Bernie you are on the wrong side of every issue reason you must be deranged
Watching you chase your tail is entertaining. Biden was cool with Putin's invasion. Per NPR, he called it a minor incursion.
https://www.npr.org/2022/01/20/1074466148/biden-russia-ukraine-minor-incursion
Why doesn’t Senator Sanders do something to advance a positive agenda instead of just shooting his mouth off?
China will buy Russian crude.
Please, BO’H, even suffering under the effects of acute TDS you realize that lower gas prices will benefit all Americans especially those working class people who live paycheck to paycheck.
Who’s censoring more comments these days, LV Rambling or Molovinsky on Allentown, or should I say Molovinsky on Trump?
Who cares? I am more focused on more money being poured into local area "to end homelessness". Just saw more money earmarked for the "problem." When you add all the state, federal and county money to fund plus add in donations we could pay the rent for these "campers' in lovely apartments. Could we learn something from the "grifters in Minnesota " about funding "needs." wonder how much of this "funny" money is supporting our "grifters?'
Any good student of history can easily equate Trump’s actions to Hitler.
So, Bernie, you have discovered that the US occasionally subverts sovereign nations?
Like just once and awhile.
Gollllllleeeey!
How precious.
Lol. TDS in full effect!!!! Stop and remember you are quoting a self admitted socialist!!! A person who believes on socialism for us the American people.
The US went and arrested a man who was helping kill 100 of thousands of Americans every year. A man who was wanted by your lovely democratic party but was to scared to get him. This administration gave him plenty of warnings and the opportunity to walk away but he didn't. Instead he decided to make fun of this country and administration. So FAFO. He is being arranged today.
Next the same as Russia??? How many troops are in Venezuela right now?? How many citizens are being bombed by us? Stop you hate trump plan and simple. He could cure cancer and you would take cancer side other then his.
The Venezuelan VP has assumed the presidency, per their constitution. Elections will be scheduled soon; probably before Ukraine ever does. Said VP lost the last election with Maduro by a 3-1 margin. Then, they refused to transition to the duly elected president. The VP turned President can give it another shot. They remain sovereign.
Gary W. Gorman: @2:58am. It must suck to be so uninformed. I was just about to reply to your idiot comment with facts, but BOH beat me to it.
3 more great years I hope All you haters LIVE WITH IT
Thanks for publishing Bernie Sanders quote. It reminded me that there are still some people with morals in this country.
Everyone knows Trump is free with his words. Was it intentional as he was reading it ...."run" comment. Interestingly all the democrats most of them heard was that one word! Was it purposefully to get them all going? We certainly aren't there running things in Venezuela
Oh and they also heard oil....again was that purposeful by trump?
Trump (nor any of us) want to run this country. As for oil? Nothing good will come for about 5+ years, as the infrastructure to pull that muddy crude out of the ground is shot! I think Maria Machado (PP winner 2025) made a plea to Trump on the QT. She needed help for her country. She touted his peace negotiations and dedicated her prize to him! He gave her AND ALL OF THE COUTNRYMEN what they needed. Sure, we will help them get started, but that is all. IF they see fit to provide us with oil access (and our money pumped into their failing economy) then so be it! Nothing is FREE. Negotiation is what makes good business!! Libs are so so backwards.
P.s. Oh, and let's not forget the Somali debacle! Waltz already falling over. What a damn mess!!
Even the most delusional Dem apologist can understand that lower gas prices helps every American and in particular those with the lowest incomes.
Spare us the bit about the profits going to the “rich friends of Trump” nonsense.
You are losing the last of your credibility, sir.
Fuck that POS blowhard Bernie Sanders. Quoting him is absolutely pathetic.
BO’H is a shameless anti-Trump hack, but all his followers get that.
The price of a gram of coke has risen an average of $45 dollars on the American street (Meet the Press).
What does that tell us.
True but China was buying up to 90% of Venezuelan oil
The same Democrats who have Ukrainian flags all over their internet pages and front lawns are decrying the end of one of Putin's best assets in the western hemisphere. AS well, and more im portantly, world oil prices will now trend down at an even faster rate when Venezuela's oil fields start putting more crude on the global market. This sudden downward pressure on barrel prices is a grave threat to the Russian economy that can't run on less than an oil price of $50 a barrel. For the first time since the war started, real economic pain will be felt by average Russians. The vast expenditures necessary to continue the war will then force Putin to the table. He will then be playing with a far weaker hand. If you really care about the Ukrainian people this is by far the best news in years.
Yes, Trump is absolutely a contemporary Hitler and the US is clearly Germany in the 1930’s.
Half of the neighborhood is comprised of neo-Nazis and racists.
NO KINGS!
Why doesn’t Senator Sanders actually do something?
Bernie good news from the Administration Cuba and Greenland which is next.
Ukrainian loving Democrats who hate Putin for his war against the Ukraine should be applauding Trump's actions rather than engage their Pavlov's Dog reaction of loathing everything and anything the president does. Taking out Madoro is bad news for Putin but opening up Venezuela's oil fields will drive the crude barrel price of crude oil to below $50 a barrel. This will be a disaster for the Russian economy and uncut it's war effort. If your still confused, this is good news for Ukrainians and Putin haters.
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