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IMO, this is going to be the biggest defining action of Trump's presidency and therefor deserves its own thread. The tariffs, immigration crack-downs, the dismantling of our institutions and guard rails will pale in comparison. The public doesn't pay much attention to most of that, but it always seems to pay very close attention to foreign wars we initiate.
So apparently we are going to run Venezuela from Washington. Early indications are that Venezuela's VP, Delcy Rodriguez, is going to be our initial puppet there.
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/03/trump-venezuela-maduro
https://www.reuters.com/business/ene...la-2026-01-03/
This might be a long haul.
So apparently we are going to run Venezuela from Washington. Early indications are that Venezuela's VP, Delcy Rodriguez, is going to be our initial puppet there.
Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez about the country's next steps. "She had a long conversation with Marco, and she said, 'We'll do whatever you need.' She, I think she was quite gracious, but she really doesn't have a choice," Trump said. Under Venezuela law, Rodriguez would be next in line to assume power from Maduro. But it's unclear that the Trump administration would accept her as the country's leader.
The big picture: Trump's announcement that the U.S. would be temporarily taking control of Venezuela and its oil infrastructure is arguably the most unvarnished assertion of American imperialism since the invasion of Iraq. It would leave the U.S. responsible for restoring stability in a country riven with political violence, well-armed gangs, a military that still at least officially answers to the Maduro regime, and a years-long economic crisis.
The big picture: Trump's announcement that the U.S. would be temporarily taking control of Venezuela and its oil infrastructure is arguably the most unvarnished assertion of American imperialism since the invasion of Iraq. It would leave the U.S. responsible for restoring stability in a country riven with political violence, well-armed gangs, a military that still at least officially answers to the Maduro regime, and a years-long economic crisis.
Trump's plans to have large U.S. oil companies enter Venezuela and get "oil flowing" will be hindered by lack of infrastructure that will require many years and heavy investment, analysts said. "There are still many questions that need to be answered about the state of the Venezuelan oil industry, but it is clear that it will take tens of billions of dollars to turn that industry around," said Peter McNally, Global Head of Sector Analysts at Third Bridge, adding that it could take at least a decade of Western oil majors committing to the country.
A U.S. embargo on all Venezuelan oil, meanwhile, remains in full effect, Trump said. He told reporters that the U.S. military forces would remain in position until U.S. demands had been fully met.
"The American armada remains poised in position, and the U.S. retains all military options until United States demands have been fully met and fully satisfied," he said.
Oil tankers chartered by Chevron have been among the few to set sail from Venezuela over the past month, following Trump's December announcement of a "blockade" of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving the country.
A U.S. embargo on all Venezuelan oil, meanwhile, remains in full effect, Trump said. He told reporters that the U.S. military forces would remain in position until U.S. demands had been fully met.
"The American armada remains poised in position, and the U.S. retains all military options until United States demands have been fully met and fully satisfied," he said.
Oil tankers chartered by Chevron have been among the few to set sail from Venezuela over the past month, following Trump's December announcement of a "blockade" of all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving the country.
This might be a long haul.
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