The Venezuela thread

[Berry4Heisman14]

Have you always held this position over the last 5 years? Because this arrest and capture has been a bipartisan position for the entirety of this decade.

The real reason has nothing to do with drug trafficking and everything to do with power, leverage, and control. Venezuela sits on enormous oil reserves, refused to open them on U.S. terms, resisted IMF style financial dependency, aligned with U.S. rivals, and survived years of sanctions without folding, which made its leadership an obstacle rather than a criminal target so capturing Maduro isn’t about justice or public safety, it’s about removing a defiant figure, reasserting dominance, resetting control over assets and influence, and sending a message to other countries that opting out of the U.S. led economic and political system has consequences, while the “drugs” narrative exists mainly as a legal and moral cover that frames regime change as law enforcement because saying we enforced compliance for strategic and economic reasons would be too honest for domestic consumption. If drugs are the real reason then why aren’t half the world’s leaders on trial? Give me a break

 

[Majors]

Trump has to have an IQ in the 90's.

Rest assured neither China or Russia are concerned. In fact, they're laughing at US bullying small Countries.

Like dunking on a kid on 9 ft goal, then flexing.

Orange baby was the, pardon the ad hominem - I think we're past that now - fat ass who slapped around kids half his size. When the big bully walked up, he stood in his shadow after kissing his ass.

It's in the Art of the Deal. Guy is a giant puss.

The last few post by you seem like this is an outlet for you getting bullied as a kid. You were that little boy who got his fort destroyed by his older brother. Today has triggered trauma.

We see you, we feel you! VN is a safe place.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

removing a corrupt, criminal dictator is an act of peace

Hahahahhahahaahah

 

[WoodsmanVol]

The whole Venezuela drama is actually a ploy to distract public attention from the full contents of the Epstein files. Up next is a trumped-up war with Iran to further the distraction.

 

[JMSqb11]

The real reason has nothing to do with drug trafficking and everything to do with power, leverage, and control. Venezuela sits on enormous oil reserves, refused to open them on U.S. terms, resisted IMF style financial dependency, aligned with U.S. rivals, and survived years of sanctions without folding, which made its leadership an obstacle rather than a criminal target so capturing Maduro isn’t about justice or public safety, it’s about removing a defiant figure, reasserting dominance, resetting control over assets and influence, and sending a message to other countries that opting out of the U.S. led economic and political system has consequences, while the “drugs” narrative exists mainly as a legal and moral cover that frames regime change as law enforcement because saying we enforced compliance for strategic and economic reasons would be too honest for domestic consumption. If drugs are the real reason then why aren’t half the world’s leaders on trial? Give me a break

Once again, none of that matters here. The USA under 2 separate Admins have pursued the arrest and capture of Maduro who is an illegitimate dictator of Venezuela.

I’m simply asking if you were this concerned and against his capture for the last 5 years or you just came to this position in the last 12 hours?

 

[jmacvols1]

this is a big poke in the eye of China than anything...

AI Overview
Venezuela is crucial for China as a major, sanction-resistant oil source (especially heavy crude for carriers/asphalt), a strategic geopolitical partner challenging US influence in Latin America, and a market for Chinese tech (Huawei, arms).

Beijing provides substantial loans (>$60B) and investment, creating deep economic ties and a political ally against US pressure, even while avoiding direct military confrontation and safeguarding its own energy diversification strategy.

Key Importance Points

• Energy Security: Venezuela provides heavy crude oil that China needs for its aircraft carriers and infrastructure (asphalt), diversifying away from other suppliers and bypassing Western sanctions on the oil itself.
• Geopolitical Ally: Venezuela offers China a strong foothold in its "backyard," countering US influence in Latin America and providing a partner that supports China's global vision,.
• Economic Investment: China has extended massive oil-backed loans (estimated $60-70B) and invested heavily, making Venezuela a key recipient of Chinese development funds and sales.
• Technology Market: Venezuela serves as a significant market for Chinese technology, including telecommunications (Huawei) and military hardware.

China's Strategic Approach

• "Patient Capital": China is pursuing long-term strategic goals, using economic leverage (loans, oil purchases) rather than direct confrontation with the US, despite escalating tensions.
• Balancing Interests: Beijing wants to maintain stability in Venezuela to protect its investments but won't risk a major conflict with the US, preferring economic support and diplomatic condemnation.
• Energy Diversification: While important, Venezuela oil is a piece of China's larger strategy to avoid over-reliance on any single supplier, as it still only makes up a small percentage of China's total oil import

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

 

[Vol8188]

The world is laughing. Impressive operation lol. Like going in and raiding your little brothers pillow fort

If your little brother is a foreign dictator wanted by both the Biden and Trump admin for drug smuggling, I’m okay with it.

 

[JMSqb11]

Meanwhile crickets from Maduro’s ally

Russia Pledges 'Full Support' for Venezuela Against U.S. 'Hostilities' - The Moscow Times

Russia on Monday expressed "full support" for Venezuela as the South American country confronts a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers by U.S. forces deployed in the Caribbean, the two governments said.

www.themoscowtimes.com

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

Once again, none of that matters here. The USA under 2 separate Admins have pursued the arrest and capture of Maduro who is an illegitimate dictator of Venezuela.

I’m simply asking if you were this concerned and against his capture for the last 5 years or you just came to this position in the last 12 hours?

I’ve been consistent on this for years, not the last 12 hours, the issue isn’t whether Maduro is a dictator, it’s that the U.S. clearly does not operate on a principle of opposing dictatorships, because we’re perfectly fine with authoritarian leaders as long as they cooperate with us economically and strategically, “illegitimate dictator” only becomes an urgent problem when a government resists the U.S. influence, blocks access to resources, or aligns with rivals, which is why the label is selectively applied after the fact as moral cover. Saying two administrations pursued him doesn’t make it principled, it just shows continuity of the same power driven policy, not a sudden outbreak of concern for democracy. If this were really about opposing dictators, U.S. foreign policy would look radically different across the globe, and it doesn’t. You’re not talking to a democrat I hate them equally

 

[JMSqb11]

I’ve been consistent on this for years, not the last 12 hours, the issue isn’t whether Maduro is a dictator, it’s that the U.S. clearly does not operate on a principle of opposing dictatorships, because we’re perfectly fine with authoritarian leaders as long as they cooperate with us economically and strategically, “illegitimate dictator” only becomes an urgent problem when a government resists the U.S. influence, blocks access to resources, or aligns with rivals, which is why the label is selectively applied after the fact as moral cover. Saying two administrations pursued him doesn’t make it principled, it just shows continuity of the same power driven policy, not a sudden outbreak of concern for democracy. If this were really about opposing dictators, U.S. foreign policy would look radically different across the globe, and it doesn’t. You’re not talking to a democrat I hate them equally

I’ve asked a yes or no question and you’ve written a novel both times.

And you have somehow invoked me thinking what your affiliation is when I have done nothing of that matter. I know VN is a debate site but not everything is a gotcha or an argument. I’m genuinely asking very direct and simple questions.

 

[JMSqb11]

Wrapping a foreign military operation that end-arounds congessional authority, and violates the UN charter, under the guise of "law enforcement" will have long-term consequences that this administration is too stupid to consider.

Yes. The world in its current state is all due to the arrest of Noriega near 3 decades ago.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

I’ve asked a yes or no question and you’ve written a novel both times.

And you have somehow invoked me thinking what your affiliation is when I have done nothing of that matter. I know VN is a debate site but not everything is a gotcha or an argument. I’m genuinely asking very direct and simple questions.

My first sentence of my last post answered your question.

 

[rekinhavoc]

Mexico Condemns U.S. Military Operations In Venezuela, Calls for UN Intervention

Mexico’s Government is publicly condemning the U.S. military actions taken overnight in Venezuela that led to the capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, who is wanted on drug trafficking charges. Mexico also called on the United Nations to intervene. | Border / Cartel Chronicles

www.breitbart.com

Cartel spokesperson condemns US.

 

[JMSqb11]

I’ve been consistent on this for years, not the last 12 hours, the issue isn’t whether Maduro is a dictator, it’s that the U.S. clearly does not operate on a principle of opposing dictatorships, because we’re perfectly fine with authoritarian leaders as long as they cooperate with us economically and strategically, “illegitimate dictator” only becomes an urgent problem when a government resists the U.S. influence, blocks access to resources, or aligns with rivals, which is why the label is selectively applied after the fact as moral cover. Saying two administrations pursued him doesn’t make it principled, it just shows continuity of the same power driven policy, not a sudden outbreak of concern for democracy. If this were really about opposing dictators, U.S. foreign policy would look radically different across the globe, and it doesn’t. You’re not talking to a democrat I hate them equally

As a side note - a dictator in our backyard with strategic relevance vs a dictator on another hemisphere are not the same. This notion that if we don’t oppose a dictator on the other side of the world means we have no right to oppose one next door is silly and nonsensical.

I DO AGREE WITH YOU that foreign policy is more order of the menu with administrations as they change every 4 years.

 

[lawgator1]

Maduro is not the legitimate recognized leader of the Venezuela from the international community.

Someone cosplaying as President of Venezuela isn’t “apprehending another country’s leader”

That is the grounds I expect to be played out

Ok, but is that our judgment to both make and then act upon ? I'm not saying you're wrong, I don't know enough about it. But where do we draw that line ?

 

[BeardedVol]

Yes. The world in its current state is all due to the arrest of Noriega near 3 decades ago.

The fact that you think the world is the same place in 2026, as it was in 1989, is very telling.

 

[JMSqb11]

Ok, but is that our judgment to both make and then act upon ? I'm not saying you're wrong, I don't know enough about it. But where do we draw that line ?

I personally view the broad number of international community not recognizing Maduro as legitimate leader contradicting themselves as they say breaking sovereignty to arrest a “foreign leader”….

You can’t say he’s illegitimate but then take issue with us conducting an arrest warrant. Especially considering this was an operation that has been done before.

 

[midnight orange]

You realize people work at these museum's, Moms, Dads, perhaps their children were there. Hope not. We aren't the police, we are just a Country. There are International laws that we agree too.

Rumps tiny brain is incapable of feeling empathy, and, caring about anyone outside of himself.

Funny, watched 'David' over the weekend. King Saul talking to Samuel about why God had forsaken him. He'd build altars in sacrifice. Turns out he'd tricked himself into believing he was honoring God, when in fact it was himself.

let's celebrate with another military parade.

We are the police, judge jury and executioner. As an empire, we make international law and abide by it only at our convenience. Kind of like politicians and billionaires in our country, we are not subject to the law on the world stage.

 

[JMSqb11]

The fact that you think the world is the same place in 2026, as it was in 1989, is very telling.

You are making this operation and capture out to be unprecedented. It isn’t.

There’s a lot of the current admin I don’t like but I’m also not going to say this action was a first of a kind and will have tons of ill effects down the road just because Trump did it
Either.

 

[JMSqb11]

We are the police, judge jury and executioner. As an empire, we make international law and abide by it only at our convenience. Kind of like politicians and billionaires in our country, we are not subject to the law on the world stage.

Why won’t you think of the kids on a museum tour at 2 AM?

 

[rekinhavoc]

Ukraine says hi.

 

[rekinhavoc]

Maduro could make NY federal court appearance as soon as Monday, Fox News learns​

Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro could make an initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan as soon as this coming Monday, Fox News is told.
The timing could change at this stage, but his appearance will happen "likely Monday," Fox News learned.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. carried out a strike on Venezuela early Saturday and captured Maduro and his wife, who have been flown out of the country. Attorney General Pam Bondi reiterated that Maduro and his wife had already been indicted in the Southern District of New York.

Why not Texas?

 

[jmacvols1]

the left is unhappy


Thousands of people take to the streets even at dawn to celebrate the liberation of Venezuela by the United States. Today, January 3, 2026, is a day of celebration in Venezuela. With information from
@Telemundo





not just suffering under a dictator but suffering under socialism

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I’ve been consistent on this for years, not the last 12 hours, the issue isn’t whether Maduro is a dictator, it’s that the U.S. clearly does not operate on a principle of opposing dictatorships, because we’re perfectly fine with authoritarian leaders as long as they cooperate with us economically and strategically, “illegitimate dictator” only becomes an urgent problem when a government resists the U.S. influence, blocks access to resources, or aligns with rivals, which is why the label is selectively applied after the fact as moral cover. Saying two administrations pursued him doesn’t make it principled, it just shows continuity of the same power driven policy, not a sudden outbreak of concern for democracy. If this were really about opposing dictators, U.S. foreign policy would look radically different across the globe, and it doesn’t. You’re not talking to a democrat I hate them equally

Yeah, if we're so concerned about dictators, why are we Russia's middleman for their peace plan with Ukraine