Posting as someone with direct family ties to Venezuela.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think we don't get it? We do. But it's not good for global stability to have the US behaving like Russia and China. And the US involvement is NOT AT ALL calculated to make Venezuelans any safer. They just want to steal more oil. You think your wife's goals are any closer thanks to this?

To add, the overall plan is so poorly thought out there might not even be much economic interest for the U.S.

But now China and Russia have their excuse to whine how they aren’t allowed to do the same and how unfair it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My wife is Venezuelan. She desperately wants to be able to go back someday—to visit safely, to see family, to recognize her own country again. Right now, that’s not possible. Much of her family is current or former military, and they want exactly what civilians want: freedom from an oppressive regime that destroyed their country from the inside.

She does not like Trump. Let’s get that out of the way. But let’s also stop pretending Venezuela is a Democrat vs. Republican issue. It’s not.

Under Maduro, people were run over by armored vehicles. Protesters were shot. Elections were a farce. The country became a narco-state while ordinary people starved or fled. That reality didn’t change depending on who was in the White House.

And for those suddenly clutching pearls about U.S. involvement—Biden continued dealings with Venezuelan oil despite repeated warnings from human-rights organizations. So please spare us the selective outrage.

China and Iran didn’t embed themselves in Venezuela out of goodwill. They wanted oil, minerals, leverage. Everyone knows this. Acting shocked now is disingenuous.

Here’s what’s missing from most of these takes: the majority of Venezuelans want the regime gone, even if that comes with hard compromises. They understand the cost because they’ve already paid it.

This isn’t about loving Trump.
It’s about wanting Venezuela back.

Sorry you don't have direct ties to Venezuela. Your wife does. And any information you have will be through the biased lens of someone else. If you're an American male, you're especially susceptible to the simp syndrome. I've seen it many times before. The "adopted" culture expert American white knight.

Venezuela is complicated. Its history and economy as a former European colony and banana republic make it so. Yours is just one side of it. Does your wife's experience suck atm? Sure. But Chávez and Maduro were elected and idolized by many for specific reasons, and those reasons will only amplify if that group is squeezed out again. Democracy is a wonderful idea, but it didn't do anything for the marginalized groups before Chávez.

NP.

Seriously PP? You wrote to OP:

“Sorry you don't have direct ties to Venezuela.” WTF.

Know who REALY has zero direct ties to Venezuela, PP? You. You, PP, are just another rando a-hole on the internet, pontificating on issues you know nothing about.

The OP made many cogent, valid, points, which supported by facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sorry you don't have direct ties to Venezuela. Your wife does. And any information you have will be through the biased lens of someone else. If you're an American male, you're especially susceptible to the simp syndrome. I've seen it many times before. The "adopted" culture expert American white knight.

Venezuela is complicated. Its history and economy as a former European colony and banana republic make it so. Yours is just one side of it. Does your wife's experience suck atm? Sure. But Chávez and Maduro were elected and idolized by many for specific reasons, and those reasons will only amplify if that group is squeezed out again. Democracy is a wonderful idea, but it didn't do anything for the marginalized groups before Chávez.

You all keep saying this and it's simply inaccurate. Maduro was NOT elected in the last election (and perhaps not before). In fact, he lost badly and kept himself in power. Trump tried this and failed, meanwhile Maduro succeeded and became an "elected President" to the rest of the world. Make it make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, OP. I detest Trump and would probably be considered a paradigmatic woke liberal. But I too have family ties to Venezuela and agree that most who are commenting are missing the desperation with which most Venezuelans wanted relief from Maduro’s brutal regime. No matter how that relief was delivered.

Unfortunately, I think any relief and optimism will be short-lived because the administration is going to totally screw this up in every conceivable way.

We have seen this movie before in Iraq 🇮🇶.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

And too close to China and Russia

[Anonymous]

The issue I have with Trump going into Venezuela is:

1. he and the MAGA are hypocrites because they were all about "no new wars" and not getting into foreign conflicts or politics. What happened to that?
2. he did not have the backing of congressional leaders, unlike when Bush went into Panama.
3. he has no real transition plan, and that leads to a power vacuum, which leads to further chaos. Oh but, I forget.. he's going to basically run Venezuela for them.

I do feel for the ordinary citizens of Venezuelans, but you'd think if Trump really cared about them, he wouldn't have removed their TPS. Or, I guess he removed their TPS status in anticipation of this invasion, as if once they took Maduro out, the whole country would immediately be great again, and there would be plentiful food and medicine so they can now immediately go back.

I hope your wife is a US citizen, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

Iran maybe?
Certainly not Russia as they have the nukes.
Certainly not China as they are too powerful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

And too close to China and Russia

I know. And it's not like Venezuela had a functioning powerful army like North Korea. It's easy to pick on a weaker country.

Not saying I'm not glad Maduro is gone, but let's face it, Venezuela was easy pickings.

It does worry me about what China will do now with Taiwan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue I have with Trump going into Venezuela is:

1. he and the MAGA are hypocrites because they were all about "no new wars" and not getting into foreign conflicts or politics. What happened to that?
2. he did not have the backing of congressional leaders, unlike when Bush went into Panama.
3. he has no real transition plan, and that leads to a power vacuum, which leads to further chaos. Oh but, I forget.. he's going to basically run Venezuela for them.

I do feel for the ordinary citizens of Venezuelans, but you'd think if Trump really cared about them, he wouldn't have removed their TPS. Or, I guess he removed their TPS status in anticipation of this invasion, as if once they took Maduro out, the whole country would immediately be great again, and there would be plentiful food and medicine so they can now immediately go back.

I hope your wife is a US citizen, OP.

This is certainly going to be used as a pretext to deny Venezuelan asylum claims. I have no doubt!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

And too close to China and Russia

I know. And it's not like Venezuela had a functioning powerful army like North Korea. It's easy to pick on a weaker country.

Not saying I'm not glad Maduro is gone, but let's face it, Venezuela was easy pickings.

It does worry me about what China will do now with Taiwan.

DP. Doesn’t worry me, I don’t care.
But I’d like him to find some solution for the Ukraine war

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

Iran maybe?
Certainly not Russia as they have the nukes.
Certainly not China as they are too powerful.

Iran is too close to other countries that would start a war in the ME which would lead to WWIII. I mean, if that area is the cradle of civilization, maybe it would be fitting for civilization to be wiped out by a war in the ME, all where it started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My wife is Venezuelan. She desperately wants to be able to go back someday—to visit safely, to see family, to recognize her own country again. Right now, that’s not possible. Much of her family is current or former military, and they want exactly what civilians want: freedom from an oppressive regime that destroyed their country from the inside.

She does not like Trump. Let’s get that out of the way. But let’s also stop pretending Venezuela is a Democrat vs. Republican issue. It’s not.

Under Maduro, people were run over by armored vehicles. Protesters were shot. Elections were a farce. The country became a narco-state while ordinary people starved or fled. That reality didn’t change depending on who was in the White House.

And for those suddenly clutching pearls about U.S. involvement—Biden continued dealings with Venezuelan oil despite repeated warnings from human-rights organizations. So please spare us the selective outrage.

China and Iran didn’t embed themselves in Venezuela out of goodwill. They wanted oil, minerals, leverage. Everyone knows this. Acting shocked now is disingenuous.

Here’s what’s missing from most of these takes: the majority of Venezuelans want the regime gone, even if that comes with hard compromises. They understand the cost because they’ve already paid it.

This isn’t about loving Trump.
It’s about wanting Venezuela back.

But what does this have to do with what’s best for Americans??????

There are literally Americans starving here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have a good list of countries that we can invade to help overthrow oppressive regimes? While we are at it, maybe even add those countries that are committing human rights violations too.

North Korea. I'm Korean American. I'd love to see the two Koreas be unified in my lifetime (I'm 55).

But, they don't have anything the US wants, certainly not a huge cache of oil reserves.

And too close to China and Russia

I know. And it's not like Venezuela had a functioning powerful army like North Korea. It's easy to pick on a weaker country.

Not saying I'm not glad Maduro is gone, but let's face it, Venezuela was easy pickings.

It does worry me about what China will do now with Taiwan.

DP. Doesn’t worry me, I don’t care.
But I’d like him to find some solution for the Ukraine war

His solution for the Ukraine war is for Ukraine to cry uncle and capitulate to Russia. You know this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My wife is Venezuelan. She desperately wants to be able to go back someday—to visit safely, to see family, to recognize her own country again. Right now, that’s not possible. Much of her family is current or former military, and they want exactly what civilians want: freedom from an oppressive regime that destroyed their country from the inside.

She does not like Trump. Let’s get that out of the way. But let’s also stop pretending Venezuela is a Democrat vs. Republican issue. It’s not.

Under Maduro, people were run over by armored vehicles. Protesters were shot. Elections were a farce. The country became a narco-state while ordinary people starved or fled. That reality didn’t change depending on who was in the White House.

And for those suddenly clutching pearls about U.S. involvement—Biden continued dealings with Venezuelan oil despite repeated warnings from human-rights organizations. So please spare us the selective outrage.

China and Iran didn’t embed themselves in Venezuela out of goodwill. They wanted oil, minerals, leverage. Everyone knows this. Acting shocked now is disingenuous.

Here’s what’s missing from most of these takes: the majority of Venezuelans want the regime gone, even if that comes with hard compromises. They understand the cost because they’ve already paid it.

This isn’t about loving Trump.
It’s about wanting Venezuela back.

But what does this have to do with what’s best for Americans??????

There are literally Americans starving here.

I don't know how many more examples can be given to show you that Trump doesn't, has never, given a f* about starving Americans.

Even MTG realizes now that he's never been America first.

This was about helping his rich cronies in the oil business getting back into Venezuela.