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?

Thanks for insight from Venezuelans, it’s what is needed in all this.

The idea that the poorest and most vulnerable in Venezuela will be worse off because of this is risible.

not just oil maria won the peace prize thats when he started this

It's the warmonger Trump trying to annex an oil rich country, like his friend Putin.

I am glad that a Venezuelan person has come here to share their thoughts on this matter. However, I would still argue that the ends don’t justify the means, and one person having this much power should frighten everyone.

Well, as of 14 minutes ago there were continuing explosions in densely populated Caracas.

One thing bothers me here.

I don't think it's right to see the Afghans as helping US and UK forces. Weren't the Afghans working for democracy and against the Taleban for their own good and for the good of their country? Didn't they want a democratic Afghanistan? Why is that only seen as helping the US and the UK forces?

Funny how he can do this but no other country can

the man’s a lunatic and there’s no one in the US strong enough to stop him, he just sacks them

edited for spelling and to add he will never understand unless someone does to the US what he is doing to others

Interesting.

Anyone with an iota of knowledge of Latin American history knows how this will play out.

Tell us. Genuinely interested in your view as I don’t really have much idea.

It is more than just about one country

It is about the whole framework of international law

If Trump gets away with this then he will do it again to any leader he dislikes essentially making himself world dictator

Supporting that in the name of democracy is simply absurd nonsense

Interesting though that there are quite a few other countries where its citizens are starving to death, the leaders control all the wealth and it’s gone on for years but Trump isn’t invading them. I wonder why not? 🤔

International rules based order generally call for sovereignty of independent nations. It’s meant to avoid a global war. Now many countries do intervene in each other’s affairs but rarely does this end well. Even for the citizens.

I just think we can acknowledge that the Venezuelan regime has been corrupt and dangerous for its own citizens, but the answer isn't necessarily a unilateral invasion, with no allies or approval and, knowing this administration, no plan for peace and democracy going forward.

@Copenhagener I do believe those are the sentiments of Venezuelans who are out of the country. People tend to feel differently when they're on the ground and it's their homes and families that are being invaded/bombed. Not that they don't have the same desire for change, but that the pain of the change is being inflicted on them.

It means the facade of a rules based international order is dead!

I heard that Venezuela has a great deal of oil. I wonder if it’s related?

Is it?

Because American intervention and interference has made the poorest and most vulnerable worse off in many countries. I’d argue most countries they have done this to. Let’s make a fun list:

El Salvador
Nicaragua
Honduras
Guatemala
Panama
Cuba
Angola
Mozambique
South Africa
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Laos
Vietnam
Cambodia

And that’s just recent and off the top of my head. China etc. were longer ago.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan are mostly neutral (but only because the bigger regional bullies were balancing). And the Second World War, which is probably good but they were late and forced to join.

And now Venezuela, possibly Greenland, maybe Canada.

So are many other leaders but the idea that Maduro is some unique evil that has to be removed is just Trump's propaganda

Indeed and that is exactly what Trump and his apologists want - an all powerful world dictator who can take out anyone who stands in his way

How can you be say this with certainty over the views of Venezuelans?

Oh, of course. I agree with that 100%. I'm just speaking to the assertion that Venezuelans are happy about this.

Ok if Trump does this but Europe sanctions and criticises when Putin does it.

I'm wondering if he's just picking a fight with somewhere he can beat easily so he can posture and be all macho about it, and threaten countries with the same if they don't do things the way he wants them to.

It’s incredibly complex and you really do need to read a lot of primary texts to understand.

I’d start with two of the most interesting places. Iran-Contra and liberation theology and the Americans. The first because it’s so blatant and illegal. The second because it proves that it’s never about right and peace and the people.

I studied Central American US intervention and have travelled there and still think I know next to nothing. I do know that the Americans aren’t the goodies though. And they won’t be here.

Plus, Trump needs to find an excuse to start moving towards being able to cancel those looming mid-term elections at home...