The Trump administration initiated a military operation in Venezuela, bombing facilities and capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, transporting them to the United States to face charges. President Trump stated the U.S. would temporarily “run” Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves, vowing a “safe and judicious transition” to new leadership. The operation, planned for months, has drawn criticism and questions from lawmakers, who were not consulted before the strikes. Maduro, indicted on drug-related charges, is accused of facilitating cocaine trafficking, and a bipartisan congressional group previously failed to pass a measure to require congressional approval for any military action in Venezuela.
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Despite promising to end America’s role as the “world’s policeman,” President Trump has announced the U.S. will oversee Venezuela’s administration until a transition deemed “safe” by Trump is possible. This decision comes despite the US’s mixed history of foreign interventions, with neither Iraq nor Afghanistan being a success. Details on the intervention’s legality or specific plans remain scarce, but Trump indicated American oil companies would benefit financially from the action. This surprising move contradicts Trump’s prior rhetoric and raises questions about the long-term strategy for Venezuela.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the U.S. operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, suggesting it is motivated by oil and regime change rather than drug-trafficking. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the operation, deploying forces to the border and rejecting the aggression against Venezuela’s sovereignty. Mexico also issued a statement, urging respect for international law and calling for an end to any aggression, highlighting Latin America’s commitment to peace. Russia and Iran, Maduro’s allies, also condemned the attack, calling it an act of armed aggression.
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On January 3rd, the United States launched a large-scale strike against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. This intervention, the most direct in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, followed accusations of Maduro’s involvement in a “narco state” and election rigging. Maduro was reportedly taken by special operations forces to the Iwo Jima and will be transferred to New York, where he will stand trial on criminal charges. The US action has sparked international condemnation and questions about the future leadership of Venezuela, as well as the legal basis for the intervention.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced his openness to talks with the US regarding drug trafficking and oil, amidst escalating pressure from the Trump administration. The US has been conducting operations against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in numerous strikes and casualties. Maduro evaded confirmation of a US strike inside Venezuela, but he expressed readiness for dialogue on various issues. These actions are viewed by Maduro as a means for the US to remove him from power and gain access to the country’s oil reserves.
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Despite the U.S. blockade and tanker seizures, Chinese oil tankers continue to operate near Venezuelan waters. Two Chinese-flagged VLCCs, Thousand Sunny and Xing Ye, are heading towards and waiting near Venezuelan ports, respectively, carrying possible oil shipments. These actions come as China publicly opposes U.S. actions against Venezuela, which has led to increased tension in the region. The U.S. continues to escalate its military presence, with a focus on cutting off oil revenues to Caracas.
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US Interdicting, Seizing Vessel Off Venezuelan Coast, Officials Say
The story, in a nutshell, is this: The United States is at it again, interdicting and seizing a vessel off the coast of Venezuela. Officials have confirmed this, and it seems to be part of a broader strategy, involving the U.S. Coast Guard and a general regional military buildup. This isn’t a one-off; it’s the second time in recent weeks this has happened, and it directly follows an order from, well, let’s just say “a former president” for a “total and complete blockade” of oil tankers heading in and out of Venezuela.… Continue reading
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded to former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Venezuela stole US assets, including oil and land, by accusing Trump of seeking regime change and control of the country’s resources. Maduro characterized Trump’s claims as a “warmongering and colonialist pretense” and called for unity with Colombia to defend sovereignty. He also condemned Trump’s comments in a phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who reaffirmed the UN’s position on respecting international law and de-escalating tensions. The UN is currently studying the situation, as Trump threatened to impose a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers transiting Venezuela.
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In response to President Trump’s declared maritime blockade targeting its oil exports, Venezuela has initiated naval escorts for its oil tankers departing from its ports. These escorted sailings have prompted consideration of potential responses from Washington, raising the risk of a confrontation at sea. The US has already increased its military presence in the Caribbean, while also seizing a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude, further escalating tensions. This situation is unsettling, as it pushes the limits of nonviolent sanctions and raises concerns about potential military intervention, with the Venezuelan leader testing the boundaries of the US blockade.
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The core question is, if the Trump administration is really asking the oil industry if they’d return to Venezuela once Maduro is out. And honestly, it sounds like a very loaded question with a pretty obvious answer. It’s like, did anyone *really* think this wasn’t about oil from the start? It’s the oldest story in the book, isn’t it? Countries with resources, and other countries with an interest in those resources, often disguised as something else entirely.
It’s all quite reminiscent of previous interventions, where the veneer of democracy or fighting drugs seems to conveniently fade away when oil enters the picture.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood