President Trump: Making America Great Again...

[dabrockster]

In case anyone thought that Trump had any concern about true democracy in Venezuela, he couldn't even give a perfunctory nod to Machado or pushing for free elections this morning:

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Get ready for some nation building. We have such a great historical record.

They do have a VP. Would you have preferred they removed him too? Does this tote a rather squiggly line that tries to leave some favor he was not totally taken out a government?

What did you expect him to say?

[dabrockster]

Celebration in Venezuela:

https://x.com/realmaalouf/status/2007439119480131672?s=12&t=kxf1Jv1zwgQeKTws5vNdEg

[Jeff Lebowski]

Remember when one of the core tenets of MAGA was no more foreign interventions? Good times.

[frank ryan]

What is going to happen now. Who is the VP? This seems like a major problem as a power-play will now take place and this could get worse. Why do this when Maduro was willing to negotiate.

I sure hope there is some sort of plan in place.

I am curious to hear what some of the military experts have to say about this. I also wonder if any side deals with Russia and Ukraine played a role in why Russia or China has just sat on their hands and given lip-service. But then again, we did that when Russia invade Ukraine years ago.


This and possibly getting involved in Iran is a alarming for sure.. Oh boy.

I wouldn't count on the US and Venezuelan opposition having a plan. History has shown us how easy it is for places to get caught up in trading left-wing dictators for right-wing dictators. They'd love someone like Bukele (El Salvador's right-wing dictator). Hopefully a more unifying voice takes charge.

China and Russia couldn't have responded militarily if they wanted to. And they didn't want to. They didn't have personnel and resources handy.

Prior this current admin, what made the US so dangerous in terms of being able to react militarily across the globe was a network of alliances. China and Russia don't enjoy that advantage, although China is working overtime to build up their soft and economic power.

I'm sure Russia will be happy that this diverts resources and assets away from more concerning matters. They'd love it if things gets messy in a post-Maduro world. There may be more diplomatic and economic pushback and fallout in Latin America itself. The drug trade in Venezuela isn't going to go away because Maduro is gone.

I could see Russia working to destabilize any potential political recovery and they will likely start with messing around with the media through their wildly effective IRA.

What happens now? Is the US going to build bases in Venezuela?

[beefytee]

Celebration in Venezuela:

https://x.com/realmaalouf/status/200...wgQeKTws5vNdEg

Yeah, there were celebrations in the liberation of Baghdad too.

Hopefully, this situation turns out better than that one.

At least it looks like there is capable opposition that can take power in Venezuela, but we’ll see where things go from here. Often these oppositions that look like the answer to turning things around are actually worse.

[Northwestcoug]

They do have a VP. Would you have preferred they removed him too? Does this tote a rather squiggly line that tries to leave some favor he was not totally taken out a government?

What did you expect him to say?

Well we should be clear about the reason why this was done. The initial stated reason was 'narco-terrorism' and a concocted duty to save hundreds of thousands of American lives, which cannot be attributed to the drug trafficking linked to Venezuela, even if it had official government backing. Both Trump and Vance have said the quiet part out loud: it's the control of Venezuela's oil. So it isn't surprising that they're not going to let this opportunity pass without ensuring the next leader will be controlled by the US.

It's an insult to our collective intelligence that there is any official concern about democracy in Venezuela. Trump already gave the game away when he said they're not going to take a chance on who runs Venezuela after Maduro. I guess it would have been nice if he'd say the US would work hand in hand with Machado to ensure free and fair elections, and a prosperous future for their country. But props to being honest I suppose.

[PaloAltoCougar]

The reign of Orange Julius King Donald is becoming ever more aggressive. I wonder if the mullahs in Tehran are currently packing their suitcases.

[Northwestcoug]

Oh the irony...

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[Northwestcoug]

There it is from today's press conference:

• President Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela “until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” following the U.S. military operation that captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.

[UVACoug]

Hegseth just said Maduro "F'd around, and he found out."

Impeach all these clowns.

[USUC]

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[Bo Diddley]

I witnessed the jubilation in Iraq when the regime was toppled and as Saddam and his sons were captured or killed. When I walked out of Division Main one night in July, the sky was full of tracers being fired in celebration after Usay and Qusay were killed.

I witnessed the vacuum of power by removing the entire Ba'ath Party and Iraqi Army from any kind of participation with the transition.

The US tried to implement a democratic government much like what we have in the West. I remember watching the news after we returned home, optimistic when people came out in droves to vote and let their voices be heard, who were very proud to show their purple inked finger that indicated they had voted.

Then in the ensuing years the many difficulties and struggles within were plain to see. And a war vet starts to wonder what it was all for. Are the people there better off? Is the US safer? Is the world safer?

There are unique challenges to govern Iraq democratically. I don't think you'll have nearly as many challenges in Venezuela. But it also won't be all rainbows and unicorns.

[dabrockster]

There it is from today's press conference:

I don’t like that at all. Is it really going to be free? Meaning, free elections and allow the people of Venezuela to elect their President.

I like how you worded it.

it’s like, they met and talked about and did not use any writers or people to help word this. They put their hands together like a sports team and the Trump just says. “I got this. I can just wing it.”

Also Frank brings up a question I have. How many soldiers will now be deployed to Venezuela and how many bases will be created.

Is that a good thing. Strategically on a global scale when we have Russia and China always looking for allies near our borders.

I am mixed on this. I wanted them to be free. I know a lot of Venezuelans who would love to go back home. It could be a great success but the planning and path makes me think this could get bad as we do not even have congressional authority or money needed for this.

[chrisrenrut]

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While pardoning another president who was already convicted of bringing tons of drugs into the US.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Hegseth just said Maduro "F'd around, and he found out."

Impeach all these clowns.

Trump and his advisers didn't consult with top Congressional leadership before the attack because they were afraid of leaks. i suppose some moron could have texted journalists in advance of the attack.