[SchwKatze]

As a Latino and friend of several people that scaped from Maduro's regime I can easily say that people in South America are happy as ever.

Also, some people seems to miss the fact that South America military power is very weak, and we, culturally, are way less proned to fight and die than people in middle east.

Yeah, we know this is all about oil, and I'm interested to know what kind of democracy will emerge. But the fact is we don't have a, undeniable, dictator as neighbor, and my friends can see their families again.

[braiamp]

No, we are not happy. We were not happy when they intervened and installed their friendly dictator. I can criticize Maduro and I can censure these actions. I don't want any other country to invade mine because they didn't like the government that we had.

[dannyfreeman]

> I'm interested to know what kind of democracy will emerge

If history teaches us anything, a democracy won't emerge. Nothing good comes from the US intervening in foreign affairs. This is being done to the benefit of the invaders, not those being invaded.

[troad]

>> Nothing good comes from the US intervening in foreign affairs.

Idk, I sure prefer Germany / Japan circa 2026 to Germany / Japan circa 1936.

The last time the US did something similar was in Panama in 1989, and that country seems to be a thriving democracy now.

Too early to know how this will play out, but things are more nuanced than you're suggesting.

[Yasuraka]

> The last time the US did something similar was in Panama in 1989

Libya

[dannyfreeman]

A key difference is that we didn't act alone in World War II, and we were fighting very legitimate aggression (fascism).

[tgv]

This is hardly a regime change. Only Maduro has been captured, the rest is still in power.

[KaiserPro]

Kidnapping a leader is a regime change. When a coup happens you topple the leader.

But now we are looking at a civil war, if we are lucky.

[kantord]

it is very early to tell what it is

[tgv]

It is, and I understand the hope, but Maduro wasn't a good replacement for Chavez, yet he persisted because of the support of the rest of the regime. I hope for the best, but this is not an auspicious beginning.

[DrBazza]

Publicly, it's about oil, privately, it's also about China getting a foothold in South America, on the USA's doorstep and denying them a source of cheap oil from the world's largest proven reserve. It's the modern version of the Great Game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Game

[random9749832]

You are still young so you don't seem to get it yet but history has shown that killing or capturing the leader of a country with outside actors rarely leads to anything good. It usually just leads to more instability.

Pop-culture shows you that if you get rid off Mojo Jojo you suddenly get rainbows and flowers but reality doesn't work that way very often and it is just propaganda.

[jonifico]

Colombian here. Maduro wasn't the leader of a country; he lost the elections and became a cruel dictator. He led a regime that murdered, tortured, and disappeared thousands of people, turning Venezuela into a narco-state run by the ELN and other paramilitary groups. It may not have worked in other areas, but the US intervention in Panama, which resulted in the capture of another dictator, Noriega, transformed Panama into the fastest-growing economy in Latin America (6% average annual growth). Poverty fell by 60%, and today it's a very prosperous country. I can assure that there will be massive celebrations today by all our Venezuelan brothers and sisters living in Latin America.

Edit: I just discovered that Noriega was also captured on January 3rd.

[the_af]

> Maduro wasn't the leader of a country

Maduro was the leader of the country. Leadership is a practical matter, it doesn't depend on elections or democracy. Stalin wasn't elected either, and nobody says "he wasn't the leader of the USSR".

Likewise, there are leaders of countries who weren't elected that are currently aligned with the US, and nobody claims those leaders aren't the leaders.

A dictator or a king aren't elected, but sometimes they are leaders nonetheless. They are leaders if they de facto lead their countries/kingdoms. If insurgents wrestle control, they cease being leaders.

[random9749832]

Well it didn't take long for Trump to announce he now runs Venezuela to plant US companies to export oil to the US. Once you understand American foreign policy it is just predictable.

[kypro]

That's good to hear. As a European, I do hope our leaders keep this in mind... It may be an unconventional move, but it's hard to argue this is a bad outcome.

I get the concern about forever wars some are raising, but this clearly isn't going to be a forever war for the reasons you state. Plus if the US secures some oil and the Venezuela people get to live better lives, that's ultimately a great outcome for everyone.

It's controversial to say these days, but I think this is exactly how the West should be using it's military force – to promote democracy and freedom around the world.

[hvb2]

> I get the concern about forever wars some are raising, but this clearly isn't going to be a forever war for the reasons you state. Plus if the US secures some oil

Why would the US be entitled to any oil here? And how would that be a good outcome for the people of Venezuela?

> and the Venezuela people get to live better lives, that's ultimately a great outcome for everyone.

That's a big if. Ask the Iraqis how well it went when their dictator was gone. And that was with boots on the ground not just leaving a power vacuum like this.

> It's controversial to say these days, but I think this is exactly how the West should be using it's military force – to promote democracy and freedom around the world.

Wait a few decades till China does this to you and we'll see how you feel.

[simianparrot]

China will and is doing this through their own means. I’d rather our guys, with the values I hold, win and get there first.

If you think the EU’s “diplomacy over force” approach will deter anyone, look at Ukraine.

[hvb2]

I meant does this to the US or any other country. The precedent that's being set is that you can just fly in and kidnap a head of state that you disagree with.

> If you think the EU’s “diplomacy over force” approach will deter anyone, look at Ukraine.

Enlighten me, what's the policy of the USA as of last year? Because I honestly don't know. It depends who the guy last talked to. That's American foreign policy now, no plan, all based on the irrational behavior of an 80 year old.

[simianparrot]

I think it's pretty clear based on the intent. We are not privy to the details of policy making, we are only privy to what is actually shared publicly.

The _intent_ of the policies seem to be "treat the US better as a trading partner than you have under Biden, or get punished in ways that hit you the hardest", usually via tariffs or other means. NATO members have exploited the US with lopsided investment in the alliance under Biden, and many European countries had really bad trading agreements with the US -- bad for the US, not for us. I'm surprised we got away with it for this long.

[hvb2]

You do realize the guy also ripped up the trade deal with Mexico and Canada, right?

That was negotiated by whom again? Oh, right, trump in his first term...

So the only conclusion I can draw is that he's like a toddler. If you give him what he wants he'll want more. That's foreign policy now.

Also, NATO has seen article 5 invoked once. By the US and it's allies helped out after 9/11. So it hasn't been too bad for the US. I don't disagree with the fact that a lot of European countries should've been spending 2% of GDP though all along

[the_overseer]

You will quickly discover that the values that you hold and the values that they hold are not at all similar. They were just pretending to get your support. And after they no longer need the useful idiot guess what will happen to you?

[simianparrot]

I’m a Norwegian. But had I voted for Trump as an American I would so far have gotten what I wanted. He’s doing exactly what he ran on; still a lot of work left to do, particularly on the real economy of the average Joe (stonks aren’t real IMO), but he’s fixed the border, made America respected, working for the American people’s future. Removing at least some wasteful government spending and getting rid of illegals.

If only Norway had the political system to allow something similar…

[the_af]

> made America respected

Did he? Or did you mean "feared"? So "respect" in the Machiavellian sense of the word?

A lot of people now dealing with Trump, even his allies, seem to be walking on egg shells, trying not to say something that angers him, appeasing him with adulation and false praise, and trying very hard to remind him "we're all friends". Much like one would treat a dangerous guys who happens to be holding a gun.

[joseda-hg]

A forever war implies people in the ground that actually would want to resist, and barring conscription (Which will be limited, because diaspora) I don't see how that could actually work

Check social media or go ask a trusted Venezuelan / Latino, happiest I've ever seen the community, because regardless of what's comming, it looks like the light at the end of a tunnel

[hoppp]

And bomb civilians?

[the_af]

> Plus if the US secures some oil and the Venezuela people get to live better lives, that's ultimately a great outcome for everyone.

Agreed about the better lives, but has it come to a point we accept invading other countries to "secure their oil" is a great outcome? I mean, what is this, Hitler's "Operation Blue"?

Securing oil is NOT a valid reason to invade countries. Does this need to be said!? Mind boggling.

This is peak cynicism. I'm really surprised to read some opinions here.

Next up: "imperialism wasn't bad, securing a big empire with colonies is a great outcome".

[christkv]

Fixing the dilapidated oil production will take years I think. But my best wishes to all my Venezuelan friends. Hoping for a bloodless transition and a brighter future for the country.

[the_af]

> As a Latino and friend of several people that scaped from Maduro's regime I can easily say that people in South America are happy as ever.

No, we aren't. You don't speak for the majority of us.

[jordanb]

Yes I'm quite sure the Venezuelans are greeting us as liberators.

[SchwKatze]

Yeah, they are [1]

1- https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/venezuelanos-vao-...

[jordanb]

Well color me impressed the CIA managed less than 24 hours turnaround on their dancing locals images! I'm disappointed we didn't get anything like the toppled statue in Baghdad but what can you expect with a rush job?

At this rate I assume they'll have the "mission accomplished" banner up by Tuesday.

[thomassmith65]

It's the international community who should decide this sort of thing.

Did the UN agree to this invasion?

Nations aren't supposed to unilaterally attack other nations.

[thomassmith65]

My comment is locked, but I wanted to conclude:

I'm too ignorant of Venezuelan politics to know if removing Maduro benefits Venezuelans, in practice.

I'd sleep easier if the Trump administration had done this by the book (approval from US Congress, and from the international community)

[waffleiron]

And I am a non-American with friends from the US that surely would be happy if someone assassinated Trump. That doesn't make it a good thing.

[kypro]

Trump is the elected leader of the US though. There's a huge difference there.

For example, if Trump doesn't step down in 2028 then we should hope someone does take him out.

[braiamp]

Of a electoral system that makes sure that the votes of the few are worth more than those of the plenty. We democracies actually make sure that all votes are worth the same.

[vips7L]

The whole system is flawed. We need national popular vote and a proportional representation system put in place.

[waffleiron]

He does seem to be invading other countries without popular support? One can find a reason (especially post-hoc) to allow, or disallow, any intervention. The US in cases like this just picks whatever is convenient. Dictator matters here, but in Saudi Arabia it doesn't.

[wood_spirit]

His loyalty test for subordinates is saying that he beat Biden in 2020…

[agumonkey]

it's a positive step for the population, my worry is about global signalling.. we were trying to keep the armed fascists floodgates tight since putin invaded ukraine and now US is doing bold military regime changes, not even covert (some would argue old CIA was worse).

hard to sleep well these days

ps: if anybody knows places where people discuss this, feel free to hit me

[SchwKatze]

Yeah, totally agree. Like anything that matters this is a complex topic with multiple reasons to each move in this game, my positive position towards what happened is pretty much related to the reactions of my Venezuelans friends and my personal perception of how people has suffered with Maduro's regime.

[didntknowyou]

[ ok let's just say ] it's a one side deal

[tmcz26]

Democracy emerge? Good luck.

[rayiner]

Venezuela had a democratic-ish government before they voted for Chavez.

[themaninthedark]

On a side note, it was kind of strange watching the media dance around what Chavez was doing. When he first took power and started seizing money and power it was all framed as he is demolishing the corrupt institutions. Then as election irregularities started happening and the economy started failing, the blame was placed on the U.S for boycotting them.

[tmcz26]

So did the US before Trump 2 :)

[hoppp]

Sounds like you ok with genocide in your neighbourhood tho. How they see their families if they get bombed?

[yoavm]

I think you're severely cheapening the definition of a genocide.

[hoppp]

I am saying it too early?

If USA bombs civilians because they are Venezuelan thats genocide.

If USA bombs civilians because they want to overthrow the government that's a war crime.

I know the difference, its about attacking a group by ethnicity.

[reaperducer]

Yeah, we know this is all about oil

"War for oil" is always the easy go-to to criticize any American military action, even in countries that don't have oil.

And while Venezuela has oodles of oil, is this really the case of America wanting Venezuelan oil?

America has more oil than it knows what to do with, and because of that, prices are so low that there are lots of newspaper articles about how American oil companies have dramatically slowed exploration and production. Plus, even under the current administration, America is using more and more renewable energy sources (some states now get more than 50% of their energy from wind/solar).

With the whole Chevron situation, I'm willing to think that oil may play a role here, but again the "war for oil" seems like nothing more than a convenient slogan for a high schooler's protest sign.

[scsh]

Direct quote:

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America. It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”

This along with other direct quotes from officials is what led me to the conclusion that, yes, oil is a large factor.

[reaperducer]

Direct quote:

The problem is that you can't cherry-pick quotes from this administration and use them as a source of truth like you could with previous administrations.

Especially from Mr. Trump, who says something and then an hour later states the opposite. (See his record on solar, electric vehicles, various personnel and congressmen.) Keeping people guessing is part of this administration's strategy, and is inherited from how he did business.

[scsh]

It wasn't just him making such quotes, as I indicated before, and I made no attempt to make an exhaustive account of such statements which can be easily found elsewhere. It's very reasonable to conclude that that is an issue at play here. That is all I attempted to convey.

[aisio]

America has plenty of the wrong type of oil. They need heavy oil as that's what the usa oil refinery are made to handle, but they have a shortage of heavy oil, and a oversupply of light oil. Venezuela has the heavy oil they need

[monerozcash]

There's not loads of idle refinery capability just waiting for more Venezuelan crude in the US.

[teleforce]

Yes it most probably about oil not democracy [1].

US even mastermind amd helped overthrowned Iranian elected government and then only recently admitted and apologized to that but the damaged already done [2].

[1] The real reason Venezuela matters [video]:

https://youtu.be/Pgwny1BiCYk

[2]1953 Iranian coup d'état:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9ta...

[didntknowyou]

interesting how they say it's about drug trafficking but then keeps confiscaating oil tankers tho?

[rayiner]

There are sanctions on Venezuelan oil due to the drug trafficking. The oil tankers are captured to punish violations of the sanctions. We don’t capture and appreciable amount of oil this way. And in fact the sanctions drive up the price of oil.

[apawloski]

Yet another incoherent policy for this administration that will be interesting to see people defend. Why does Maduro get invaded and captured but convicted drug smuggler (and ex Honduran president) Juan Orlando Hernandez get pardoned?

[rayiner]

I think economic sanctions are a stupid policy, but the sanctions on Venezuela were in place long before this administration.

[apawloski]

It's interesting that you're anti-economic sanctions but pro-tariffs. This administration talking points specifically justify tariffs as punishments for countries' behaviors.

Anyway be clear, I'm talking about this administration. Specifically their choice to invade Venezuela and capture their head of state, while simultaneously pardoning the ex-Honduran head of state who was convicted for the exact same thing. When I say inconsistent, I mean: they are saying (vocally and militarily) that they are anti-drug cartel, but also they are apparently pro-some-cartels? It makes no sense to me.

[Lapel2742]

> And while Venezuela has oodles of oil, is this really the case of America wanting Venezuelan oil?

Yes it is.

> But Trump has also made his desire for Venezuelan oil clear. He said that the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going to and from the country would remain “until such time as they return to the United States all of the oil, land, and other assets that they stole from us.” He did not clarify what land and “other assets” he was referring to.

> In a social media post, Miller also characterized the expropriations as an injustice against the US. “American sweat, ingenuity and toil created the oil industry in Venezuela,” wrote. “Its tyrannical expropriation was the largest recorded theft of American wealth and property.”

> And in a 2023 speech, Trump was even more pointed about his designs on the country’s oil. “When I left, Venezuela was ready to collapse,” he said, referring to the end of his first term in the White House. “We would have taken it over, we would have gotten all that oil, it would have been right next door.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-17/trump-s-v...

[monerozcash]

This is especially silly because the US is always going to control oil extraction in Venezuela because nobody else has the technical capabilities required to do so profitably at a large scale.

There's no need to really fight with the Venezuelan government over this, unless Venezuela decided that they'd rather leave the oil in the ground.

[popol12]

What about Chinese, Russian or European oil majors ?

[monerozcash]

The only comparable large-scale extraction projects in the world would be the oil sands in Canada.

This is a super small niche, with oil margins constantly getting squeezed around the world it'd probably be tricky to convince anyone to significantly scale up production in Venezuela even if the US lifted all sanctions and whatnot.

[rayiner]

I was shouting “War for Oil” in 2003 as a college freshman. In retrospect, was oil why we invaded Iraq? How much oil did we get out of the deal?

[Lapel2742]

> How much oil did we get out of the deal?

Apparently a lot.

> The 2003 Iraq War, initiated as a U.S. unilateral action, has also been viewed through the lens of economic interests, particularly oil access. Following the conflict, significant American business opportunities arose, notably through contracts with oil companies to exploit Iraqi oil fields, marking the end of Iraq’s long-standing oil nationalization policy. Technological advancements were another key economic byproduct of these wars; innovations developed for military use often transitioned into civilian applications, influencing various sectors.

> Additionally, a trend towards privatization emerged, as private firms undertook roles traditionally held by the military, further intertwining the defense industry with the economy. This shift raised ethical concerns and sparked debate regarding the implications of privatizing military functions. Overall, the Iraq wars illustrate the complex intersection of military action, resource control, and economic interests within American foreign policy.

https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and...

[7952]

Assuming it was about oil was giving them far more credit than they deserve. That is a sane reason if an immoral one. I think it has far more to do with economic systems and opportunity. It is about creating freedom for capital. That means oil but also a mirage of schools, defence, healthcare, condos.

[Sporktacular]

"US will be ‘strongly involved’ in Venezuela oil industry, Trump says after Caracas attacked and Maduro captured"

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jan/03/caracas-e...

Yes, US foreign policy is connected to oil. It's not just about control but price.

[Agentus]

Trump has a history of using resource cutoff as a bargaining or coercive tool. hes doing it with Minnesota right now with the scandal and has done it with NYC. control over oil flows to European allies or other allies and adversaries gives his tactic more reach.

[letmetweakit]

The more credible narrative is Trump and co trying to do good for the Venezuelans and for the regular US folks! /s