Venezuela air attack

Where is Starmer and European Leaders in all this?
Absolutely nowhere.
Not that I am sure I want them to be anyway.

It is like a giant game of chess.
Not even sure Europe are even pawns.

May be safer for Europeans that way??

Canada? Greenland? Panama?

I don't think it's legal, but the US has a history of similar. Trump's not the first "big I am" America has produced, maybe whoever was at the helm was slightly more subtle before. Mossadedgh of Iran in the 1950s was overthrown by a coup d'etat orchestrated by the US. Oil again, to protect British interests that time. As mentioned by me up thread, Allende was overthrown in Chile, Pinochet was aided by the US. They, the US are always interfering in other countries internal affairs, often with awful outcomes.

TerriBull

Life for the Venezuelans been hell under Maduro and his predecessor Chavez. I remember chatting to a young Venezuelan waiter in Seville who was telling us, most just want out of there, its lawless whilst its people go hungry. Venezuela should be a rich country but its been run into the ground Like most dictators their leaders will have syphoned of huge amounts of the country's wealth. Trump of course will carry on with the plundering and appropriation for his own ends.

It’s GDP has fallen by something like 80% and it has gone from one of the richest to poorest countries.

But

The USA’s action is not remotely internationally legal, Trump has had no consultation with Congress.
Trump clearly has no forward plans.

There appears to be no plans for a regime change. Maduro’s regime is pretty corrupt where the military is the key. The generals more or less control the economy. The judiciary have fingers in many pies.

Why on earth are they likely to give up their power?

Whether life in Venezuela has been hell for its citizens or not, it was not Trump’s call to invade and remove the president. It was an antagonistic act for his own ends. What do Americans think?

Life for the Venezuelans been hell under Maduro and his predecessor Chavez. I remember chatting to a young Venezuelan waiter in Seville who was telling us, most just want out of there, its lawless whilst its people go hungry. Venezuela should be a rich country but its been run into the ground Like most dictators their leaders will have syphoned of huge amounts of the country's wealth. Trump of course will carry on with the plundering and appropriation for his own ends.

Whitewavemark2

Drugs is the headline but oil is what it is all about. So, unless Columbia has masses of untapped oil, Trump won’t be interested.

That is exactly the same reason for invading Iraq, that went well didnt it the US gained nothing, loosing hundreds of US lives in the process.

I hope the US has learned that removing a leader without a replacement results in chaos, Libya and Iraq are a testament to that.

The interview with Trump was a shambles

TerriBull

The US will have no comeback if China's ambition to take back Taiwan is put into force, when they've behaved in a similar fashion.

Eventually Taiwan will be lost, China is just too strong to fight in their own back yard, the US can’t use its Navy to support Taiwan it’s far too vulnerable to Chinese missiles. Just like Ukraine the US is not going to risk nuclear war over Taiwan.

Currently Taiwan is useful to the Communist Party in China, distracting domestic opinion from other issues and Taiwan does trade usefully with China

Drugs is the headline but oil is what it is all about. So, unless Columbia has masses of untapped oil, Trump won’t be interested.

Well, whether Trump does or doesn’t,

He announced that Cuba is next at the press conference.

The USA is supporting the existing Maduro’s government and not the more democratically popular opposition. The leader of which has recently won a peace prize. So make that what you will.

It is Iraq all over again, Trump has no forward plans for Venezuela other than grap the oil.

Whitewavemark2

Cuba next apparently. They do have oil fields so that is a good bet.

Attacking Cuba is not likely, too many memories of the Bay of Pigs debacle.

My own predictions for Venezuela do not include US “boots on the ground”, the US will support a new moderate government and destroy the drug cartels. If you want another target in the Caribbean, Columbia is a prime candidate

Whitewavemark2

It’s like a one man fight to encourage climate warming.

My first thought, too…

The US will have no comeback if China's ambition to take back Taiwan is put into force, when they've behaved in a similar fashion.

It’s like a one man fight to encourage climate warming.

Cuba next apparently. They do have oil fields so that is a good bet.

I don't know what to think yet about the state of Venezuela, but I was disgusted by the photograph of Madura, shackled, handcuffed , blindfolded, wearing ear defenders, presumably on board the craft taking him to America. I hope his wife is accorded better treatment.

imaround

I am glad Congress is waking up.

The sooner the better!

imaround

I am glad Congress is waking up.

Are you watching the presser?

I am glad Congress is waking up.

It is wrong behaviour.

@Rescuing it's citizens@ is one thing.

Taking over the Country is quite another.

And all without approval of where Trump is supposed to get it from.

So it takes a good deal of military might to take over a sovereign nation and pinch its oil.

How many soldiers will it take? How is it going to be paid for. Has congress indicated agreement?

Grandmabatty

US have attacked Venezuela with missiles. This is unforgivable

The House of Representatives, The Senate and The Congress had not been notified and therefore in the Usa, this is considered illegal and against The Constitution.

All for some "oil" !!! The key to this madness.

I agree that this is unforgivable and also illegal ..

David your argument is specious. One can be against The Venezuelan president and also deplore the actions of Trump. But I suspect you know that and despite your protestations, you are a Trump apologist.

Trump is on live just now on BBC news