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GrumpyRN said:

One of the consequences of this action is that it gives Putin a way to annexe any country he feels like, Kim Jong Un a way to annexe South Korea and Xi Jinping a way to annexe Taiwan or any of the countries in Asia.

Another effect is that - rightly or wrongly - America was seen as the policeman of the world. Now you will be seen as corrupt and being bought by the highest bidder.

Indeed.  It really didn't take this attack to be seen as a corrupt country when a corrupt man is in control and supported by a corrupt political party.  Recent events just made that corrupt mentality front and center.  

It's wild how conservatives seem to be lining up in support of regime change and long term occupation of another nation without a clear explanation to congress.  

Beerman said:

I usually can't stand this woman, but her words here make sense.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-democrat-calls-trumps-maduro-capture-welcome-news-left-accuses-him-illegal-actions

 

Another Democrat that I despise but seems to be making sense here:

https://kdvr.com/news/local/gov-polis-calls-maduro-a-thug-in-response-to-capture/?fbclid=Iwb21leAPHfeBjbGNrA8d9kmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvXlbZkHDa__zogKTiUzJKSAqxBsVFdK621perBQOO9GZ0zb7Hw5wx6BN18E_aem_YZcHxO8bhG_JO_X_VW7iQQ

Whether or not Maduro is a thug isn't the issue.  We hosted a thug here in Alaska at the behest of Trump.  Trump just pardoned a drug trafficking thug.  

Many would contend that our current felon president is himself a thug surrounded by thugs.  

GrumpyRN said:

Trump said that US were taking Venezuelan oil and they were going to put American oil companies in there to get it. Do you really think that Trump just did that out of altruism? Somewhere there is a price being paid to Trump and you can bet it will not be on the books.

Don't you think that it is just a bit coincidental that Venezuela produces just the right type of oil that the US needs while US produces a lighter shale oil.

If you look at the list of countries by oil reserves, guess what? Surprise surprise, Venezuela comes out top. America is 8th, behind even Canada who are 5th. Now does that not give you a little clue into why Trump wants Canada as the 51st state?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves

 

Trump's press briefing on Airforce one Trump seemed to say that his administration briefed the oil companies about the attack on Venezuela before briefing Congress.  He also seemed to say that Americans are going to be fixing roads and bridges in Venezuela and that they really don't have a plan for what comes next.  Unless what comes next is related to Trump saying in that same presser that the USA needs to take control of Greenland while threatening Cuba.  Lindsay Graham even said, with some excitement in his voice, that Cuba was also on notice.  

There are no coincidences in Trump world.  

GrumpyRN said:

Trump said that US were taking Venezuelan oil and they were going to put American oil companies in there to get it. Do you really think that Trump just did that out of altruism? Somewhere there is a price being paid to Trump and you can bet it will not be on the books.

Don't you think that it is just a bit coincidental that Venezuela produces just the right type of oil that the US needs while US produces a lighter shale oil.

If you look at the list of countries by oil reserves, guess what? Surprise surprise, Venezuela comes out top. America is 8th, behind even Canada who are 5th. Now does that not give you a little clue into why Trump wants Canada as the 51st state?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves

 

So, the oil companies are paying Trump?

Surprise, surprise?  No,  that's not new news.  Sourcing Wikipedia not needed.

Your theory is far-fetched.  And, based on some things I've read from my favorite sources, it seems oil may have less to do with it than what many believe.

It's ironic how you ignore compelling evidence and require smoking gun proof when it comes to drug smugglers being blown up or welfare fraud in MN but then youre comfortable throwing this out there.

GrumpyRN said:

Trump said that US were taking Venezuelan oil and they were going to put American oil companies in there to get it. Do you really think that Trump just did that out of altruism? Somewhere there is a price being paid to Trump and you can bet it will not be on the books.

Can't disagree or agree.  Considering he gave a pardon to another President convicted sending drugs to the United States, it's not rocket science that the world's largest reserve of oil isn't playing a part in this decision and that big oil isn't in on the planning. 

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665695/maduro-trump-drug-dealer-pardons

Beerman said:

Another Democrat that I despise but seems to be making sense here:

https://kdvr.com/news/local/gov-polis-calls-maduro-a-thug-in-response-to-capture/?fbclid=Iwb21leAPHfeBjbGNrA8d9kmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvXlbZkHDa__zogKTiUzJKSAqxBsVFdK621perBQOO9GZ0zb7Hw5wx6BN18E_aem_YZcHxO8bhG_JO_X_VW7iQQ

There's wide spread support for him being removed from office from both sides of the aisle, from the people and from other countries around the world and particularly from the Venezuelan community in the US.  I heard some interviews by Venezuelan Americans here in Florida rejoicing at the news.   He's done nothing for his people, is an alleged drug trafficker and stole the election.   

Many times we tried for regime changes around the world.  Libya comes to mind.  I am a little bothered that we went to their country, removed the President and then said we're now in charge.  Taking over countries is not something we usually do.  

Hopefully things will work out for the best of the people there and for the drugs entering the US, as well as sending a message that he isn't playing.  He already sent notice to Columbia and again mentioned that he wanted Greenland.

It will be years down the road for the infrastructure of the oil industry in Venezuela to make some significant impact.  Libya has apparently been restored and had a record year last year but it took years.  

He is wrong to exclude María Corina Machado, Venezuela's Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader saying she wasn't popular.  That's not true, she is respected and beloved by her country.  She's calling for Edmundo González who won the last election to be given the Presidency.  I think that it's important for us to not run the country but to install democracy and not be seen as a colonial thug ourselves.  

In my opinion.  

Tweety said:

There's wide spread support for him being removed from office from both sides of the aisle, from the people and from other countries around the world and particularly from the Venezuelan community in the US.  I heard some interviews by Venezuelan Americans here in Florida rejoicing at the news.   He's done nothing for his people, is an alleged drug trafficker and stole the election.   

Many times we tried for regime changes around the world.  Libya comes to mind.  I am a little bothered that we went to their country, removed the President and then said we're now in charge.  Taking over countries is not something we usually do.  

Hopefully things will work out for the best of the people there and for the drugs entering the US, as well as sending a message that he isn't playing.  He already sent notice to Columbia and again mentioned that he wanted Greenland.

It will be years down the road for the infrastructure of the oil industry in Venezuela to make some significant impact.  Libya has apparently been restored and had a record year last year but it took years.  

He is wrong to exclude María Corina Machado, Venezuela's Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader saying she wasn't popular.  That's not true, she is respected and beloved by her country.  She's calling for Edmundo González who won the last election to be given the Presidency.  I think that it's important for us to not run the country but to install democracy and not be seen as a colonial thug ourselves.  

In my opinion.  

 

 

I agree with all that.

And, as such am a bit surprised that in another post you seem to be allowing for the possibility that Trump is being paid off by the oil companies.  Especially since you recognize that it'll be costly for them and years if not decades before they'll see any profit.

It's not clear what the US plans to do going forward. Trump said Rubio was in charge. Rubio appeared on the Sunday news shows and stepping that back, and talked about seizing oil tankers. The new president and her brother have been trying to assume power for some time, I don't think that she is going to be as easy to manipulate as Trump thinks she will be. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/who-is-delcy-rodriguez-venezuelas-interim-president-after-maduros-ouster

I don't think anyone in the current administration has any interest in setting up a democracy. Trump wants the oil for his oil buddies like Paul Singer, owner of CITGO.

https://popular.info/p/venezuela-raid-enriches-maga-billionaire

Marco wants Cuba to revenge his family, and Miller wants a place to send immigrants. 

Rodriguez was a bit more conciliatory than at first.  But doesn't matter Trump said "she doesn't have a choice".

Right now we don't have goals or an end game or who the players are other than than Trump et al

https://thehill.com/policy/international/5672597-trump-threatens-venezuela-leader/

Tweety said:

Can't disagree or agree.  Considering he gave a pardon to another President convicted sending drugs to the United States, it's not rocket science that the world's largest reserve of oil isn't playing a part in this decision and that big oil isn't in on the planning. 

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665695/maduro-trump-drug-dealer-pardons

Is that sarcasm?