What’s happening in Venezuela and what does it mean?

[theotherfossilsister]

I’m confused- has the US gone to war with them? What are the implications if so?

I just read this this morning. I have no idea. Following for someone more knowledgeable to update us

Means Donald’s going to struggle to justify getting his Nobel peace prize for single-handedly stopping every war since WW2 when he’s trying to start one in Venezuela

I’m confused - does the drugs that wreak havoc in USA originate in Venezuela? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5yqygxe41pt
bbc article about Trump’s actions

Trump and his ego. And oil. Always oil.

As I understand it, Trump has decided that Venezuela are importing drugs into the US and it's suddenly an emergency. So the US has been attacking/seizing/blocking Venezualan boats in the Caribbean and Pacific and the strikes are an escalation of this.

Some people think it's all an excuse to overthrow the current government and claim the oil.

There are debates about whether the US is acting legally (such an odd phrase when it comes to war).

It means the USA is going to “establish democracy” or maybe “stop drugs” in Venezuela, while taking its oil.

Oil. Greenland next, don’t know what premise they can make up for that one

Here we go from Aljazeer

www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/30/trump-bombs-venezuelan-land-for-first-time-is-war-imminent

Not massively. And even if they did, that’s really not justification for bombing the capital (and without even speaking to congress).

Guess FIFA will be wanting their prizes back.

I think they are like 1% of the drug problem. But they have a LOT of oil. Take from that what you will.

Oil. Distraction.

Just seen the update on sky news. So trump has bombed venezuela and kidnapped its leader...

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

I mean drugs, umm drugs, it’s definitely not oil.

What it is is utterly repulsive, illegal, immoral warmongering. The US has always done this. SE Asia, Central America, Southern Africa. But it was typically about regional and international politics (communism) or at least had a fig leaf of preventing terrorism. This is blatant.

BTW he also thinks Canada is supplying drugs (they aren’t). Will he bomb Ottawa, or is it only brown people that he does this to?

Ego and oil. If it was drugs, there are plenty of other LA countries he could have looked at, many of which might appreciate American support on the war on drugs (n.b. I do mean collaborative support not dictatorial invasion tactics).

It’s very worrying as an indication of Trumps willingness. Poor Venezuela has an awful recent history. With their oil, they had a rich future ahead and the general population have been totally let down. Sadly, there won’t we international condemnation of Trump.

Its specifically the type of oil they have, from what I understand. Otherwise its Trump showing the world that he is a total despot and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I expect when his term is up that there'll be a coup so he can stay i power ... seriously he is a dictator. What it means for us isn't clear - we're not safe and neither are many other economies who are rooted in the US ... financial markets, technology, security etc. We'll need to realign with Europe, and quickly, I expect.

Kidnapped the leader? Have they?

Not necessarily kidnapped, seems the leader might have agreed to go.

As to what it means OP, this is the most dangerous thing about Trump. No one knows. He is mercurial, doesn’t care about the rule of law, and changes his focus daily (hourly).

Not good is as much as can be predicted.

Venezuala has oil and Trump is attacking on the pretext of preventing drugs getting into the USA

Nigeria has oil and Trump is threatening to attack on the protecting the Christian population

Greenland has untapped reserves of oil

hes planning on plundering foreign nations for their resources?

how very colonial.

Jesus America! What have you become?

To be fair, they have been a version of this for decades. Just ask the Guatemalans (for example).

Trump just doesn’t bother with the fig leaf.

Under gun point or threat of more violence or actually voluntary?

Maybe. I was going with kidnapping as they have been flown out of the country

One word - oil. It's always about the oil, no matter which country.