Venezuela heats up....

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Moliere
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Moliere »

Venezuela opposition accuses Goldman Sachs of financing dictatorship
The president of Venezuela's opposition-run Congress on Monday accused Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs of "aiding and abetting the country's dictatorial regime" following a report that it had bought $2.8 billion in bonds from the cash-strapped country.
How does this make any sense for Goldman Sachs?
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Isgrimnur
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Isgrimnur »

They got them for 31% of the value and they're on the state gas company, an organization not likely to go away even if there's a chance in leadership. What are the new guys going to do, nationalize it?
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Moliere
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Moliere »

Another Socialist Success: Venezuela Imports Oil from U.S.
Venezuela has the world's largest proven reserves of petroleum. In 1998, when Bolivarian socialist Hugo Chavez was elected president, the country was producing about 3.5 million barrels of oil a day. As recently as 2013, when Nicolas Maduro ascended to the presidencey upon Chavez's death, the country was still pumping out about 2.8 million barrels a day. Since 2016, month daily production has dropped to 1.5 million barrels.

Venezuela's heavy crude oil needs to be diluted with lighter petroleum products so that it can be refined into fuels. The Independent reports that as a result of the ongoing collapse of domestic refining, the South American country is now obliged to import about 200,000 barrels a day of diluents from the United States. The Venezuelan government sells gasoline at 1 cent per liter (80 cents in the U.S.). Even with the fanciful assumption that all the petroleum in a barrel could be refined into vehicle fuel, a rough calculation implies a value of $1.60 per barrel. The diluents from the U.S. cost about $80 to $90 per barrel.
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em2nought
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by em2nought »

That day is coming. Kumbaya! :doh:
Technically, he shouldn't be here.
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Moliere
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Moliere »



In Venezuela, a Haircut Costs 5 Bananas and 2 Eggs
"The world is suffering more today from the good people who want to mind other men's business than it is from the bad people who are willing to let everybody look after their own individual affairs." - Clarence Darrow
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Moliere
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

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"The world is suffering more today from the good people who want to mind other men's business than it is from the bad people who are willing to let everybody look after their own individual affairs." - Clarence Darrow
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em2nought
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by em2nought »

I think the Maduro diet is the only way I'm going to lose weight. Maybe I should vote for Bernie. :mrgreen:
Technically, he shouldn't be here.
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Moliere
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Moliere »

On Saturday as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gave a speech in Caracas before a large military assemblage, drones carrying explosives approached, detonating near the stage. While Maduro was unharmed, Venezuelan information minister Jorge Rodriguez said that the attack injured seven soldiers. It's a method of assault that only a few years ago felt unthinkable, but has quickly become inevitable.

Details remain scarce about the exact nature of the attack, which Rodriguez characterized as an “assassination attempt,” including what type of drones were used and the nature of the explosives involved. In a televised address to his country, Maduro appeared to attribute the strike to far-right factions in Venezuela and Columbia. “They have tried to kill me today,” Maduro said.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Isgrimnur »

So he says.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Max Peck
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Max Peck »

Buoyed by protesters and U.S., Maduro rival claims Venezuela presidency
Backed by hundreds of thousands of protesters and the support of the United States, Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on Wednesday, calling for free elections to end the rule of socialist Nicolas Maduro.

In a statement minutes later, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate interim president, and a Canadian official said Canada was preparing also to add its support.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Isgrimnur »

Image

WaPo
BREAKING NEWS: Maduro’s move to expel U.S. diplomatic personnel comes after the Trump administration called Maduro an “usurper” and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the nation’s interim president.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

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WaPo
The Trump administration on Monday ordered U.S. companies doing business with Venezuela to divert payments to special blocked accounts, in a quest to keep one of the country’s few sources of revenue from flowing to the government of Nicolás Maduro.
...
John Bolton, head of the National Security Council, said that the Venezuelan government “can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people.”

The new economic sanctions are designed to weaken Maduro and strengthen the hand of Juan Guaidó, whom the United States recognized last week as interim president of Venezuela.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Holman
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Holman »

Prediction: Bolton invades Venezuela, but he cries out Iran's name when he does it.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Isgrimnur »

WaPo
Venezuelan officials seek to block U.S.-supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó from leaving the country, freeze his assets

The moves from the pro-government prosecutor’s office come one day after the United States issued potentially crippling sanctions on Venezuela’s national oil company in an attempt to force President Nicolás Maduro from power.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Holman
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Holman »

The day after we move into Venezuela, the Russian military goes big in Ukraine.

And, hell, maybe the Baltics too. What would we do about it?
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GreenGoo
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by GreenGoo »

If only America had an organisation in the north Atlantic region they could treaty with that might help with Russia when the time comes. Alas, they'd probably spend less on their militaries than required, so what would be the point?

Then again, who cares about Russia? Not America's problem.
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Jolor
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Jolor »

The great truism shows itself to be true, yet again: "Shower your enemies with praise, for they may be your friends tomorrow. Let scorn reign down upon your aligned brethren, for you will make them your enemy soon. In this way, you shall further the work of Chaos and reap the seed, if positioned appropriately."
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Max Peck
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Max Peck »

If this is true, it would seem that Russia may not be fully committed to Maduro after all.

Russia's Gazprombank freezes accounts of Venezuela's PDVSA: source
Russian lender Gazprombank has decided to freeze the accounts of Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and halted transactions with the firm to reduce the risk of the bank falling under U.S. sanctions, a Gazprombank source told Reuters on Sunday.

While many foreign firms have been cutting their exposure to PDVSA since the sanctions were imposed, the fact that a lender closely aligned with the Russian state is following suit is significant because the Kremlin has been among Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s staunchest supporters.

“PDVSA’s accounts are currently frozen. As you’ll understand, operations cannot be carried out,” the source said. Gazprombank did not reply to a Reuters request for a comment.
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Paingod
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Paingod »

NPR reminded us this morning that as the money dried up and healthcare collapsed, diseases took the opportunity to surge back. Doctors are fleeing the country in thousands, and the population is suffering.

Venezuela is now a hotbed for Malaria and a point of resurgence for Measles - after Measles had been declared eradicated in the Americas. :(
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Max Peck
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Max Peck »

Trump to say Venezuela's military at risk for supporting Maduro
U.S. President Donald Trump will say in a speech on Monday that Venezuela’s military officials should “work toward democracy” or risk losing everything they have.

“The United States knows where military officials and their families have money hidden throughout the world,” the White House said in describing what Trump planned to say.

The White House issued points from a speech Trump was to deliver in the Miami area later in the day, saying the president will say the Venezuelan military should let humanitarian aid into the country.

Trump will offer strong support for National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who the United States views as the legitimate president of Venezuela, in the speech at Florida International University.

The White House said Trump will say the current path toward democracy is irreversible in Venezuela and that “Venezuelan military officials have a clear choice - work toward democracy for their future and the future of their families, or they will lose everything they have.”
So, basically it's "Come over to our side and you can keep your ill-gotten gains?" :think:
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Max Peck »

Venezuela’s Ex-Spy Chief Rejects Maduro, Accusing Leader’s Inner Circle of Corruption
A former intelligence chief in Venezuela who is one of the government’s most prominent figures turned against President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday, calling him a dictator with a corrupt inner circle that has engaged in drug trafficking and courted the militant group Hezbollah.

In interviews with The New York Times, the former intelligence chief, Hugo Carvajal, 58, who is a congressman in the governing Socialist Party, urged the military to break with the president ahead of a showdown with the opposition on Saturday over Mr. Maduro’s blockade of aid shipments on the country’s borders.

“It has been more than enough,” Mr. Carvajal said in a statement, which was also released in a video online on Thursday and addressed to Mr. Maduro. “You have killed hundreds of young people in the streets for trying to claim the rights you stole. This without even counting the dead for lack of medicines and security.”

“To the generals,” he added, “how is it that having the power to allow the entry of international humanitarian aid to our country to save lives, you would decide not to? Would you be so inhuman? So hypnotized?”

The strong words come amid a wave of other defections by government officials, including a top air force official, diplomats, military attachés and members of the national guard. This break with the regime, by a man who once guarded its secrets as intelligence chief, adds a dose of unexpected pressure on the president just three days before the confrontation over aid at the border with Colombia.
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GreenGoo
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by GreenGoo »

I hear he's a democrat left over from the Obama era.
I.e. inherently untrustworthy by definition.

Probably still bitter that Hillary lost.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Holman »


Marco Rubio wrote:#MaduroRegime has fired into territory of #Colombia. Receiving reports of injuries after this attack on sovereign Colombian territory.

The United States WILL help Colombia confront any aggression against them.
Ah, so this is probably it then. We're invading Venezuela to distract from the president's legal troubles.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Alefroth »

And his isolationist supporters will think it's hunky dory.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Daehawk »

Seems Maduro simply wants to die. I dont get crazy leaders.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Kraken »

I'm not one to endorse US imperialism, or to approve of anything the Trump administration does. But if the reports from Venezuela are accurate, Maduro must go. One hopes that the mere threat of facing US Marines will make his military see it that way.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Holman »

Marco Rubio just posted a gruesome close-up image of Gaddaffi in the process of being tortured, raped, and murdered by rebels. Presumably it's a message to Maduro.

No doubt he'll be back to tweeting his usual Bible verses in a couple of hours.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

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Marlboro just has to compliment Trump or his businesses and he'll be fine.
Covfefe!
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

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hepcat wrote: Mon Feb 25, 2019 1:24 pm Marlboro
Phone autocorrect. Is there anything they can't be a total pita about?
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Alefroth »

Kraken wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 12:02 am I'm not one to endorse US imperialism, or to approve of anything the Trump administration does. But if the reports from Venezuela are accurate, Maduro must go. One hopes that the mere threat of facing US Marines will make his military see it that way.
I don't disagree, but I don't understand of all the dictators and humanitarian crises around the world, why we go all in on Venezuela. Actually, I think I do. They're weak, he's a leftist, and there's oil.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

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WaPo
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó appeared Tuesday with troops at a Caracas military base to announce a “final phase” to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office. This is what we know:

● Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton expressed U.S. support for the opposition.

● Maduro said the military has remained loyal; government leaders denounced a “coup” attempt by a “reduced group of military officials” and warned of a “counterattack.”

● Guaidó urged supporters to take to the streets for “nonviolent” action and claimed to have a list of names of military officials who support him.

● Tear gas was fired in clashes between the sides, and one hospital said it was treating six people for injuries.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Max Peck »

Blackwater founder’s latest sales pitch: mercenaries for Venezuela
Erik Prince - the founder of the controversial private security firm Blackwater and a prominent supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump - has been pushing a plan to deploy a private army to help topple Venezuela’s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro, four sources with knowledge of the effort told Reuters.

Over the last several months, the sources said, Prince has sought investment and political support for such an operation from influential Trump supporters and wealthy Venezuelan exiles. In private meetings in the United States and Europe, Prince sketched out a plan to field up to 5,000 soldiers-for-hire on behalf of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to two sources with direct knowledge of Prince’s pitch.

One source said Prince has conducted meetings about the issue as recently as mid-April.

White House National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis declined to comment when asked whether Prince had proposed his plan to the government and whether it would be considered. A person familiar with the administration’s thinking said the White House would not support such a plan.
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Alefroth
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Alefroth »

What could go wrong?
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Holman »



I think we're about to learn why we didn't want Trump in charge during a troops-and-bullets international crisis.

Also... we, um, already embargo Cuba. Unless he means we're going to starting sinking other nations' ships, this is redundant.

Also also... "death and destruction to the Constitution of Venezuela"?
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Alefroth
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Alefroth »

He's trying to appeal directly to Cuban soldiers? Does he think a lot of them follow him on Twitter?
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Roman »

Alefroth wrote: Tue Apr 30, 2019 7:09 pm He's trying to appeal directly to Cuban soldiers? Does he think a lot of them follow him on Twitter?
Saw a reply on Twitter to him along the line of: "I don't think Cuban soldiers have Twitter sir. Maybe try Instagram"
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Kraken »

Would that he held the Constitution of the US in such regard.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by Jaymann »

Kraken wrote: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:13 pm Would that he held the Constitution of the US in such regard.
:clap:
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

Post by em2nought »

I know just the bunch of guys for the job :mrgreen:
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Technically, he shouldn't be here.
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Re: Venezuela heats up....

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WaPo
A frustrated Trump believed that national security adviser John Bolton and his director for Latin American policy, Mauricio Claver-Carone, “got played” by both the opposition and key Maduro officials, two senior administration officials said. As the president “chewed out the staff” in a meeting shortly after the April 30 failure, in the words of one former Trump official involved in Venezuela policy, he mused that he might need to get on the phone himself to get something done.

Summer arrives this week with Maduro still in place, and little indication that he is imminently on his way out, or that the Trump administration has a coherent strategy to remove him. The president, officials said, is losing both patience and interest in Venezuela.
...
But Trump has clearly been frustrated about a foreign policy issue he “always thought of . . . as low-hanging fruit” on which he “could get a win and tout it as a major foreign policy victory,” the former official said. “Five or six months later . . . it’s not coming together.”
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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