United States vs. Venezuela

[superchuck500]

For some time now, the US has been concentrating naval forces (with Marine detachments) in the Caribbean and general vicinity of Venezuela. Observers have expected some kind of operation there but what that would be wasn't clear. In the past days, the USA's high-profile destruction of an alleged Venezuelan narcotics vessel (including Rubio's explanation that the vessel - not carrying any sort of flag and operated by assumed civilians - was destroyed and its 11 occupants instead of arrested based on orders directly from Trump because it "was an immediate danger to the United States") appears to be setting up some kind of pretext for additional action, a Venezuelan 'Gulf of Tonkin incident' if you will. Trump has indeed promised that this is the beginning of a campaign.

Critics have pointed that the US military's action against the vessel likely violated both international law and well-established US policy. Others have said it is likely that the vessel had migrants and not narcotics. And of course with Trump and his henchmen, the given explanation (combating drug trafficking) is never the actual reason - it's always something more directly tied to Trump's ego and thirst for accolades and retribution.

From a post last week on the buildup:

U.S. Navy Destroyers, Submarine, Amphibious Ships Being Sent Toward Venezuela

The White House calls Venezuelan ruler Maduro a "narco-terrorist" and is deploying ships, planes and Marines in a major show of force.

www.twz.com

Analysis on the legal implications of the destruction of the vessel and its 11 occupants.

Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean

The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on this purported smuggling vessel raises significant potential legal issues.

www.justsecurity.org

 

[Dragon]

 

[superchuck500]

So Alex Jones and the Stop the Steal crowd (that gave us January 6) are now giddy over the possibility that Maduro will now spill the beans that Venezuela was indeed involved in vote manipulation that gave Joe Biden the 2020 election win. Yes, this theory has long been discredited and is quite incredible (meaning not believable) at the onset, BUT it does involve Venezuela.

If the US president weren't a deeply disturbed malignant narcissist who can't let it go that he lost the 2020 election, it would be inconceivable that a president would launch a military operation to arrest a foreign leader to then have him lie about participation in a conspiracy, in order for a more appealing resolution to his arrest and custody by the US . . . but here we are and this is Donald Trump. It's entirely in-play that we could see some kind of attempt of proffer by Maduro about it. And what a shirt show that would be.

 

[superchuck500]

MAGA has now moved to "international law is gay"

 

[MT15]

You will never convince me that Matt Walsh isn’t taking Russian money just like Tim Pool.

 

[coldseat]

MAGA has now moved to "international law is gay"

Those people just want to be Nazi's. That's their entire world view/mantra ... might makes right. They just need to admit it and stop with all the denial about how they are not.

 

[superchuck500]

 

[efil4]

" Neither does Venezeula"

Baritomo: "Well.....what about cocaine"

 

[efil4]

The die is cast Venezuela.

You wanted Maduro out. Done. Just gonna cost you your countries wealth.

Congrats on nestling up with a different authoritarian.

 

[Dragon]

The die is cast Venezuela.

You wanted Maduro out. Done. Just gonna cost you your countries wealth.

Congrats on nestling up with a different authoritarian.

Modern day Robber barons....

 

[efil4]

Good grief. This fell apart well before "WMD" ever did.

There was never a Cartel de los Soles. The DOJ had to re-write its entire indictment - removing 32 references to Cartel de los Soles.

It was a slang term in Venezuela for any official involved in any sort of alleged illegal activity - they are a "member".

Good lawd

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/trump-venezuela-drug-cartel-de-los-soles.html

 

[Optimus Prime]

 

[Optimus Prime]

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

So, the OPEC report is Forbes richest American's list, and Venezuela is Donald Trump?

 

[efil4]

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

Maybe he’ll write a strongly worded letter about it

 

[UncleTrvlingJim]

Apparently, the United States is now openly, threatening military force to take Greenland.

US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military - White House

It came as European allies rallied behind Denmark after renewed US insistence it must have Greenland.

bbc.com

 

[Dragon]

Apparently, the United States is now openly, threatening military force to take Greenland.

US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military - White House

It came as European allies rallied behind Denmark after renewed US insistence it must have Greenland.

bbc.com

He is like a spoiled child who demands every toy he can see - unfortunately this is real people we are talking about. He doesn't care about the costs - in human lives or suffering or the destruction of every political goodwill that the US has collected over the last decades!

 

[efil4]