Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumTrump risks war with Venezuela if navy and clandestine buildup 'spins out of control' (with Malcom Nance) - Times Radio
The Trump administration authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela and is drawing up military plans, including possible strikes inside the country, significantly escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's government. This follows a series of controversial U.S. Navy actions, including strikes on boats off the Venezuelan coast, which the U.S. claims were drug-smuggling vessels.
The U.S. deployed a substantial military force to the region, including 10,000 troops, eight surface warships, and a submarine in the Caribbean. While officials publicly frame the actions as part of a "war on drug trafficking," the scale of the naval buildup and the authorization for lethal covert actions suggest a primary goal of regime change.
Venezuela rejected the U.S. actions, calling Trump's rhetoric "bellicose" and accusing him of seeking to seize the country's petroleum resources. Venezuelan officials plan to raise the issue at the U.N. Security Council, denouncing the actions as a "grave violation" of the U.N. charter and an illegal threat to their sovereignty.

Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,842 posts)And if the U.S. gets in a war with them, Trump will use this as an excuse to impose martial law.
2naSalit
(98,321 posts)Any excuse will do.
KS Toronado
(21,633 posts)We know what we're up against, a wannabe fascist Dictator.
The real question is will the elected Rs in congress be OK with him killing people to stay
in power. I worry too many are still afraid of his threats & wrath and will allow it.
Maybe we need to start a campaign against any war unless we are attacked first.
Chemical Bill
(2,959 posts)Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves of any country on earth.
ETA:
List of countries by proven oil reserves - Wikipedia https://share.google/66OJKvXYZLiXlp4E1
usonian
(21,791 posts)
KS Toronado
(21,633 posts)Came in the mail yesterday, wore it to the cafe this morning and my waitress loved it.
MAGAt sitting closest to me would not respond to any of my questions, just another
brain-dead FQX noise fan giving me dirty looks.
usonian
(21,791 posts)Let them stew like my slow-cooker.