JerryM

New White House website: President Trump took decisive action to pardon January 6 defendants who were unfairly targeted, overcharged, and used as political examples. They were not protected by the leaders who failed them. They were punished to cover incompetence. https://www.whitehouse.gov/j6/

Maduro's defense lawyer Barry Pollack said he anticipated voluminous and complex litigation over what he called his client's "military abduction." Nicolás Maduro's next scheduled court date is March 17, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-maduro-appear-us-court-trump-says-further-strikes-possible-2026-01-05/

I feel sorrow for those in US who voted for one thing and got something else: Foreign policy and drug trade weren’t high priorities for many Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — There are few signs that President Donald Trump’s supporters wanted the United States to become more embroiled in foreign conflicts ahead of its military actions in Venezuela — even as many Republicans show initial support for his military strike there, according to an Associated Press analysis of recent polling. Most Americans wanted the U.S. government to focus in 2026 on domestic issues, such as health care and high costs, rather than foreign policy issues, an AP-NORC poll conducted last month found. Meanwhile, polling conducted in the immediate aftermath of the military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro suggested that many Americans are unconvinced that the U.S. should step in to take control of the country. https://apnews.com/article/poll-venezuela-trump-foreign-policy-15c94665b41312f5613772726d710905

Who said anything about acquiring? If Team Trump decides to take it as per our national security interests, who has the military capability to stop it? (per recent comments of Dep. Chief of Staff Miller)

5 sentences. But you would ignore it even if it were 3.

Can one have it both ways? "As Secretary Rubio has said, there is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country," (U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Mike) Waltz said, according to the readout. "This was a law enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments that have existed for decades." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuela-united-nations-emergency-meeting-mike-waltz/ But then: “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said during the press conference Saturday. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/03/trump-venezuela.html

All that as relates to this: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf

So how soon are they going back.

No one could be that petty. Well maybe:

As posted April 27, 2024 https://aseannow.com/topic/1325922-why-the-hush-money-case-against-donald-trump-is-on-shaky-ground/page/3/#comment-18873251 (JerryMahoney) To me the possibly more scary part of Trump again elected as President are these folks who see him as an empty vessel for changes to the Federal government they have been working on since Reagan.

US intelligence contradicts Trump claims linking gang to Venezuelan government to speed deportations -- April 18, 2025 WASHINGTON (AP) — A new U.S. intelligence assessment found no coordination between Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government, contradicting statements that Trump administration officials have made to justify their invocation of the Alien Enemies Act and deporting Venezuelan migrants, according to U.S. officials. The classified assessment from the National Intelligence Council, released this month, is more comprehensive and authoritative than an earlier intelligence product released Feb. 26 and reported last month by The New York Times, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the assessment. They were not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The new assessment draws input from the 18 agencies that comprise the intelligence community. It repeatedly stated that Tren de Aragua, a gang that originated in a prison in Venezuela, is not coordinated with or supported by the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, or senior officials in the Venezuelan government. While the assessment found minimal contact between some members of the gang and low-level members of the Venezuelan government, there was a consensus that there was no coordination or directive role between gang and government. https://apnews.com/article/trump-alien-enemies-act-venezuela-tren-de-aragua-103919f71db9a9e7a9a3de1028585483

There was a topic heading: Trump to Deploy US Oil Giants to Rebuild Venezuela Definitions from Oxford Languages deploy - verb move (troops or equipment) into position for military action. Maybe more accurate heading: Trump would like to Deploy US Oil Giants to Rebuild Venezuela

AI via Gemini: The evidence presented by the Department of Justice (DOJ) is built on decades of intelligence, seized drug shipments, and testimony from former high-ranking allies. 1. Key Witness Testimony The "breakthrough" in the case comes from high-level "cooperators" who were once part of Maduro’s inner circle: Hugo "El Pollo" Carvajal: The former head of Venezuelan military intelligence pleaded guilty in June 2025. He is reportedly providing evidence about the "Cartel of the Suns" (a group of high-ranking Venezuelan officials involved in trafficking) and Maduro’s personal involvement with the FARC. Clíver Alcalá Cordones: A former Venezuelan general who previously pleaded guilty to supporting the FARC. His testimony is expected to link Maduro directly to weapons-for-drugs deals.

Yes via post to my address in Thailand.

Well 'deploy' as from the Guardian OP seems an overly strong word for right now based in part upon the letter and corrected letter from Chevron. page 2

With regards to Mr. Kobeissi, oil has be got out of the ground before you can physically sell it.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf Here it is: Venezuela action in a nut shell:

Or as The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) says in 1989 Batman: Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

CONDITIONS FOR A RETURN Whether or not the companies return would depend on how executives, boards and shareholders evaluate the risk of renewed investment in Venezuela, the sources said. "ConocoPhillips is monitoring developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for global energy supply and stability. It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments," a company spokesperson said in emailed comments to Reuters on Saturday. The company reiterated the statement on Sunday when asked about discussions with administration officials for this story. Besides uncertainty surrounding the contract framework for any operations there, companies considering a return would also need to deal with security concerns, poor infrastructure, questions about the legality of the U.S. operation to capture Maduro and the possibility of long-term political instability, analysts have told Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-pushes-oil-majors-invest-big-venezuela-if-they-want-recover-debts-2026-01-04/ _________________________ As per Chevron: No quick wins in tapping Venezuela's oil reserves The oil firm has been in Venezuela for over 100 years and said on Saturday that it is focused on the safety and well-being of its employees, in addition to the integrity of its assets. "We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations," a Chevron spokesperson said in an emailed response to questions. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/no-quick-wins-in-tapping-venezuela-s-oil-reserves-ce7e59d9d18ff527

What is the legal definition of "run"? Also from the above: ... which Hegseth described as a "law enforcement exercise." Great. You got the 2 indicted fugitives. Now go home. Unless it was something else.

Great. Now you will be able to help the elderly 'cause you know how easily they can get scammed.

Donald Trump to the good citizens of Venezuela (with apologies to Rick Roberts/Firefall) When there's so much trouble that you wanna cry The world has crumbled and you don't know why When your hopes are fading and they can't be found Dreams have left you waiting, friends have let you down Just remember I love you And it'll be alright.

Bowen: Trump's action could set precedent for authoritarian powers across globe 6 hours ago -- With the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump has demonstrated more powerfully than ever his belief in the power of his will, backed by raw US military force. On his orders the US has Maduro behind bars and now will "run" Venezuela. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y45nyz124o

AI via Gemini: Retraction of Initial Statement On January 3, 2026, Chevron retracted an initial statement sent to media outlets and replaced it with a shorter, more cautious version. Original (Retracted) Language: The first statement expressed support for a "peaceful, lawful transition" and stated Chevron was "prepared to work constructively with the U.S. Government" to leverage its presence for U.S. energy security. Revised (Official) Language: The updated statement removed mentions of the U.S. government or a political transition. It focused exclusively on the "safety and wellbeing" of its roughly 3,000 employees and the "integrity of its assets," while emphasizing it operates in "full compliance" with all relevant laws.

Maduro Is Gone—Venezuela’s Dictatorship Is Not Bloodied and humiliated, the regime could turn even nastier. Quico Toro Jan 03, 2026 NB Quico Toro, the founder of Caracas Chronicles, was forced to flee Venezuela’s dictatorship, Donald Trump and Marco Rubio will take a victory lap today. They deserve it. They’ve struck an enormous blow against a genuinely evil regime. But they’ve not overthrown it. Chavismo is very much still in control of Venezuela. Bloodied, weakened, humiliated, yes, but still in control, and newly motivated to exert even more state terror in a bid to stay in power. Venezuelans all around the world are celebrating the fall of a vicious tyrant. But if the regime manages to ride out this storm, we won’t be celebrating for long. https://www.persuasion.community/p/maduro-is-gonevenezuelas-dictatorship