Word is the military was bought - there was zero air defense activated against US choppers landing in Caracas. I wonder what the US plan is for the aftermath of the regime change. Hopefully better than the one for Iraq. Or Syria. Like Maduro or not I doubt Venezuelan patriots can be happy at Yankees strong-arming their way into their country.

In any case, we have a reading of the new world order - might is right.

Another giant step towards the Nobel Peace Prize. congrats

What about the scandals of corruption in the highly corrupt regime of Ukraine ? Will they also be removed soon so that at least the poor ukrainian civilians, the aged, the poor, the weak, can get a glimpse of the billions of dollars flooding in, that end up, God knows in who's pocket ?

This is going to involve Cuba sooner or later

he didn't dare do this to Putin

19 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

What about the scandals of corruption in the highly corrupt regime of Ukraine ? Will they also be removed soon so that at least the poor ukrainian civilians, the aged, the poor, the weak, can get a glimpse of the billions of dollars flooding in, that end up, God knows in who's pocket ?

Yes, I was watching that exposé on RT this morning before breakfast. It looks like the main suspects have either removed, or are still removing themselves from the lines of investigation.

This is definitely NOT about drugs – Venezuela has a very small part of the US drugs market.

It IS about oil – a commodity that still has huge value despite being replaced in many fields by sustainable energies. It is still essential for stuff like plastics and, of course, Trump's retrogressive attitude to global warming.

We also need to be concerned about the geopolitical aspects of this in view of the US's past performances in regime change.

A fragmented world is what Trump wants.

50 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Interestingly because of Venezuela's natural resources it once had one of the best GDP's in the world. Now it lags behind Haiti. Maybe, just maybe what Trump has done is a good thing. Not many in Venezuela will be shedding tears that's for sure. Let's hope the country can get back on it's feet.

True but it's BS to say it's not about the oil but drugs.

Probably millions of idiots in the US will believe him.

What about the former president of Honduras who Trump pardoned? 45 tonnes of cocaine I think.

Is the Trump Oil Co. involved.

2 minutes ago, kwilco said:

This is definitely NOT about drugs – Venezuela has a very small part of the US drugs market.

It IS about oil – a commodity that still has huge value despite being replaced in many fields by sustainable energies. It is still essential for stuff like plastics and, of course, Trump's retrogressive attitude to global warming.

We also need to be concerned about the geopolitical aspects of this in view of the US's past performances in regime change.

A fragmented world is what Trump wants.

I can’t recall any comparable case of kidnapping from another sovereign state, apart from Israel’s abduction of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and his transfer to Israel.

Only Israel and the United States seem able to violate other countries’ sovereignty without serious consequences. The United States, in particular, bears responsibility for the conditions that led to the creation of armed groups such as Hezbollah (through the occupation of Lebanon), Hamas, and Al-Qaida. Next, we’ll likely see the same pattern repeated in Venezuela.

Wake up and ask yourself why this is tolerated.

10 minutes ago, JimCM said:

True but it's BS to say it's not about the oil but drugs.

Probably millions of idiots in the US will believe him.

What about the former president of Honduras who Trump pardoned? 45 tonnes of cocaine I think.

Oil is part of it but not all of it.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Oil is part of it but not all of it.

A big part!

Same in Iraq, well plus Israeli support/orders.

3 hours ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Don't like to toot my own horn but in this case I'll make an exception @Alan Zweibel

But I do have to grant it to you that because of the removal of Noriega, Panama's ports are no longer a booming route for cocaine exporters...oh wait a minute...

Panama’s ports, a booming route for cocaine trafficking

In the 1990s, drug trafficking cases in Panama’s ports could be counted on one hand. Today, 50 criminal organizations have been tracked throughout six Panamanian concessioned ports on both coasts, according to reports from the country’s Specialized Prosecutors’ Offices for Drug-Related Offenses. The groups are experts in infiltrating shipments.

https://english.elpais.com/international/2025-03-22/panamas-ports-a-booming-route-for-cocaine-trafficking.html

Noriega was captured and taken to the US on Jan 3, 1990.

5 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Some hail the bold move as a necessary blow to tyranny,

Which one is the Tyran?

20 minutes ago, JimCM said:

I can’t recall any comparable case of kidnapping from another sovereign state, apart from Israel’s abduction of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and his transfer to Israel.

Only Israel and the United States seem able to violate other countries’ sovereignty without serious consequences. The United States, in particular, bears responsibility for the conditions that led to the creation of armed groups such as Hezbollah (through the occupation of Lebanon), Hamas, and Al-Qaida. Next, we’ll likely see the same pattern repeated in Venezuela.

Wake up and ask yourself why this is tolerated.

Panama!

International Kidnapping.

Mafia Act. Mafia country USA.

Shame to all Americans.

One thing that's sure, IMHO, is this intelligence and military operation (Delta Force and the 160th) was top level. Been training for this one. BTW this was planned for four days ago but it got delayed because of weather.

Now that the precedent has been set, don't whine and cry when China sends special forces to Taiwan, kidnaps the "President of the Republic of China" Lai Ching-te, and takes him back to China to stand trial for whatever crimes they wish to charge him with. They can call him a dictator. They can say that Lai Ching-te is not the legitimate leader of China. If you are a powerful country, the leaders of smaller countries must bow to your wishes or else face your made up "justice." The US has now set the precedent that the heads of sovereign states are now game for kidnap or murder. Stand-by.

Just now, sscc said:

International Kidnapping.

Mafia Act. Mafia country USA.

Shame to all Americans.

Just now, connda said:

Now that the precedent has been set, don't whine and cry when China sends special forces to Taiwan, kidnaps the "President of the Republic of China" Lai Ching-te, and takes him back to China to stand trial for whatever crimes they wish to charge him with. They can call him a dictator. They can say that Lai Ching-te is not the legitimate leader of China. If you are a powerful country, the leaders of smaller countries must bow to your wishes are else face your made up "justice." The US has now set the precedent that the heads of sovereign states are now game for kidnap or murder. Stand-by.

Utter rubbish.

Will Trump be remembered as the War President? Somalia, Nigeria, Iran and now Venezuela? Where does this all end? Was this really about drugs, or about invading the nation with the largest oil reserves in the world? It is always about the money with Trump.

The stunning attack and unprecedented capture of a sitting president follow months of an intense US pressure campaign against Venezuela. Since September, the US navy has amassed a huge fleet off the Venezuelan coast and carried out airstrikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific and seized Venezuelan oil tankers. At least 110 people have been killed in the strikes on boats, which human rights groups say could amount to war crimes.

Venezuelan officials have accused the US of trying to gain access to the country’s oil reserves, the largest in the world. In an interview with Fox News hours after the operation, Trump said the US will be “strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry going forward.

In July 2024, Maduro appeared to suffer a landslide defeat in the presidential election, amid widespread anger at his increasingly authoritarian rule and Venezuela’s economic collapse. The Biden administration recognised the opposition candidate Edmundo González as the victor. Detailed voting data released by the opposition and verified by independent experts indicated that González had won the vote, but Maduro clung to power after launching a ferocious crackdown.

https://share.google/hV116esUY1avm8wQo

According to surveys, US citizens are opposed to the use of its military in Venezuela. And any strikes inside Venezuela now will likely force a vote in the US Congress under the War Powers Act.

But even assuming there is regime change – of some sort, and it’s by no means clear even if it does happen that it will be democratic – the US’s military action will likely require sustained US engagement of some sort. Will the Trump White House have the stomach for that?

It’s unclear what happens next. But clearly President Trump is going to own whatever happens next in Venezuela.

https://share.google/qA4n7HRdOHaBnOktt

8 minutes ago, connda said:

Now that the precedent has been set, don't whine and cry when China sends special forces to Taiwan, kidnaps the "President of the Republic of China" Lai Ching-te, and takes him back to China to stand trial for whatever crimes they wish to charge him with. They can call him a dictator. They can say that Lai Ching-te is not the legitimate leader of China. If you are a powerful country, the leaders of smaller countries must bow to your wishes or else face your made up "justice." The US has now set the precedent that the heads of sovereign states are now game for kidnap or murder. Stand-by.

No difference to what Putin and Netanyahu did.

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Maduro was a dictator. He was not the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Around 70% voted against him last election.

Trump is a dictator too as well as a convicted felon and traitor.

1 hour ago, chercheur888 said:

Another giant step towards the Nobel Peace Prize. congrats

Nigeria, Somalia, Iran, Venezuela. Which is the next nation to be invaded by the US? Bear in mind the US has not won a war of any consequence for 80 years.

5 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Trump is a dictator too as well as a convicted felon and traitor.

Trump was elected into office. Was Maduro?

Up next: The President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. Mario Rubio will the be legitimate leader of Cuba so Bermúdez will need to be forcefully removed. All dictators must be removed, right. Then after him, why not Vladimir Putin. Putin is a ICC war criminal, right. And then China's president Xi who is a dictator. All dictators must be removed from office right. Why stop there. Remove the President of Columbia, the leaders of Iran, Yeman, Somali, Nigeria. Heck, Modi won't stop buying Russia oil like the US has told him to do - why not kidnap him too. And Mark Carney and why not kidnap the Danish PM until they agree to cede Greenland to the US. Let's just bring back the good old days of Empire! Take a knee or die.

2 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Trump was elected into office. Was Maduro?

There was an election.

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Trump was elected into office. Was Maduro?

You are that daft? Thanks for letting me know. Venezuela held parliamentary and regional on 25 May 2025. Oh, but the Empire said they don't count. That's right. If the US Empire says elections aren't elections, then they can put anyone they want into office and call it "The Will of The People." Putin isn't the leader of Russia; Xi isn't the leader of China; The Shah is the leader of Iran. The only reality is the reality as defined by the mighty United States. All inconvenient heads of state must be forcefully removed.

Don't fool around - just admit that you fully embrace 1984 style totalitarianism and empire-building. War Is Peace, right? I'm sure Trump and Hegseth agree.

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Getting rid of Maduro -- GOOD.

The consequences of doing it the way Trump has -- VERY RISKY.

The "wisdom" or lack thereof (bizarre to use the word wisdom relating to Trump) of his decision will not be known for a long time.

So where is Trump's pressure on Putin? CRICKETS.

Shocking that you admit ridding the world of Maduro is GOOD. No doubt if Obama or Biden had done this you would be cheering. Surprised you haven't already accused Trump of war crimes.

Like you I admit some concern as to the fallout of this action. You see I am not a cheerleader for Trump. I view him rationally as a flawed president. Just less flawed than some of his predecessors. I await longer term results to see how this plays out. Hoping the truly elected president is installed by the Venezuelans ASAP.

And I know you won't read this because you think me a troll and blocked me which is so rich coming from you. 😄

Troops staying on the ground until a transitional government is put in place.

29 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Trump was elected into office. Was Maduro?

Was Trump?