Venezuela air attack

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

Canada? Greenland? Panama?

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??

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

So Trump says America (ie: himself!) will run Venezuela. I bet.

Great modus operandi. Select a country that has something useful and just invade it.

Watch out Greenland, because the UN is as much use as a chocolate teapot........

I’d love to be a fly on the wall of Xi Jinping’s residence.
The Chinese buy a humongous amount of cheap oil from Venezuela. 🤔

fancythat

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??

We can’t upset America because, thanks to Brexit, we depend on them too much. The government has to tread very carefully, given that we’re dealing with a power crazed mad man.

One very important reason we will never break away from the US is the 5 eyes intelligence community, btw, no European country belongs to this.
It is extremely important for our safety.

MayBee70

fancythat

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??

We can’t upset America because, thanks to Brexit, we depend on them too much. The government has to tread very carefully, given that we’re dealing with a power crazed mad man.

By we, do you mean the Uk, or Europe, or both?

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

And world @status@.

We are used to hearing, @ UN@ @EU@, 32 Countires,

fancythat

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

🤔
Really?

petra

One very important reason we will never break away from the US is the 5 eyes intelligence community, btw, no European country belongs to this.
It is extremely important for our safety.

Explain more please.

You often talk about Uk intelligence.

fancythat

petra

One very important reason we will never break away from the US is the 5 eyes intelligence community, btw, no European country belongs to this.
It is extremely important for our safety.

Explain more please.

You often talk about Uk intelligence.

If you Google, the answer comes up immediately.

fancythat

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

Who'd have military might wading in?

Norah

fancythat

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

Who'd have military might wading in?

Interesting idea though.

A small country wades in with military might in a country far, far away against an ally because it thinks their ally has made a foolish move.

That's going to turn out well, isn't it!

fancythat

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

Crikey, don’t you think it’s a bit soon for that, even as a threats, until the full picture is understood? Even when it is, wouldn’t the UN be the vehicle, rather than just UK and Europe?

I may have to rewrite this tomorrow, as too tired right now.

But I am not at all meaning that Europe use it's military might.
Rather, it has so little in the first place.

Allira

Norah

fancythat

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

Who'd have military might wading in?

Interesting idea though.

A small country wades in with military might in a country far, far away against an ally because it thinks their ally has made a foolish move.

That's going to turn out well, isn't it!

I'd not think that would turn out well.

Perhaps you understand what eludes me.

Norah

Allira

Norah

fancythat

Casdon

They are very wisely keeping their counsel and staying out of it until they understand all the rationale fancythat. Woukd you have them wading in without knowing exactly what lies behind the invasion? I wouldn’t.

I am not meaning diplomacy or talking.

I am meaning military might.

Who'd have military might wading in?

Interesting idea though.

A small country wades in with military might in a country far, far away against an ally because it thinks their ally has made a foolish move.

That's going to turn out well, isn't it!

I'd not think that would turn out well.

Perhaps you understand what eludes me.

It seemed obvious to me but I think perhaps irony eluded you.

Of course it wouldn't turn out well!!

Oh. I couldn't work that out.