America/Venezuela hostilities intensify

[clakclak]

As much as I dislike Maduro, I dislike Trump much, much more. Canada (or Mexico), can't you do something about this? Trump has clearly set the precedent that if you don't like a foreign leader you can just kidnap them and bring them to your own country for trial.

The far bigger problem is the Neo-Colonial motive in Trump's press conference. Maduro doesn't deserve anyone's pity and that they kidnapped him, I think, is actually far far better than a lengthy air campaign that would have injured and killed countless civilians. They got the guy at the top, the dictator ultimately responsible for many horrible crimes. However the more Trump talks, the more it becomes apparent that they didn't go after Maduro for what he did, but simply because he was in their way. Trump is currently single handled legitimising the talking point of every single old school socialist/communist ever and turning Maduro into a martyr who tried to protect his country from a resource hungry imperial America trying to exploit the people of the region for their resources. Maduro might ultimately be remembered not as the brutal dictator he was, but as an anti Colonial freedom fighter standing up to imperial America, a reputation most undeserved.

[mr.WHO]

Worst part of the conference was how shamelesly Trump thinks that he owns the Venezuala right now - this was so far his closest Papatine moment.

Nobody will shed a tear after Maduro, but with Venezuela down without any consequences, threats against Canada or Greenland can't be dismissed anymore.

[Falcrack]

Trump has clearly set the precedent that if you don't like a foreign leader you can just kidnap them and bring them to your own country for trial.

Hardly a precedent. Powerful states have been seizing defeated or vulnerable leaders and hauling them off for judgment (or spectacle) for thousands of years.

The pattern is consistent: Might is right. The strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must. International law is not a guardrail against human viciousness. It is but a thin layer of varnish.

It strips the US of every bit of moral high ground it might have had. With Trump, I realize that moral high ground has long since gone, but there was a day when we at least had the ideal of doing what is right.

It reminds me of the quote in the movie Camelot. King Arthur is lamenting the phrase "might makes right". He decides that his motto will instead be "might for right". In other words, might should not be used to impose your will on others. It should be used instead in pursuit of justice and doing what is right. Not using power to be a bully, but using power to help the powerless.

[clakclak]

Worst part of the conference was how shamelesly Trump thinks that he owns the Venezuala right now - this was so far his closest Papatine moment.

Nobody will shed a tear after Maduro, but with Venezuela down without any consequences, threats against Canada or Greenland can't be dismissed anymore.

Wasn't Panama on the list as well? That isn't that far from Venezuela probably makes more sense logistically to strike there next.

[chew-ie]

Meanwhile no one notices how this "legitimates" the invasion of Taiwan. Xi already "promised" it for 2026. Such a stupid duck -.-

The sovereignty of Venezuela should have never been violated like that. No matter the internal problems.

[Observe]

It strips the US of every bit of moral high ground it might have had. With Trump, I realize that moral high ground has long since gone, but there was a day when we at least had the ideal of doing what is right.

It reminds me of the quote in the movie Camelot. King Arthur is lamenting the phrase "might makes right". He decides that his motto will instead be "might for right". In other words, might should not be used to impose your will on others. It should be used instead in pursuit of justice and doing what is right. Not using power to be a bully, but using power to help the powerless.

History offers almost no examples of a dominant power that did not routinely use its strength to coerce, dominate, or subjugate weaker states. From empires ancient to modern - British, Spanish, Ottoman, Mongol, German, Japanese, Soviet, and yes, American - power has almost always been exercised first in service of national interest, not abstract justice.

There may be temporary exceptions, but they tend to fade when the exceptional leader leaves power. The tragedy is that people get lulled into the illusion that humans have somehow become better than their past would suggest.

Do we, as a species, have the potential to do better? Perhaps - but there is no widespread, persistent evidence that we have yet done so. Perhaps the clearest gauge of how far we still have to go is how we treat animals - creatures entirely at our mercy. That relationship suggests that when power is absolute, compassion is optional.

[TSM]

Anyone who believes this was anything other than a US land grab is deluded, Venezuela is now an American state, and it was for its Oil reserves.

Greenland and Canada could very easily suffer the same fate as the US congress is full of cowards and lickspittles so anything is on the cards, I hope i am wrong.

[clakclak]

Anyone who believes this was anything other than a US land grab is deluded, Venezuela is now an American state, and it was for its Oil reserves.

Greenland and Canada could very easily suffer the same fate as the US congress is full of cowards and lickspittles so anything is on the cards, I hope i am wrong.

No. Venezuela is not an American state. States hold rights and influence in the American system of governance. Venezuela is a colony.

[TSM]

Anyone who believes this was anything other than a US land grab is deluded, Venezuela is now an American state, and it was for its Oil reserves.

Greenland and Canada could very easily suffer the same fate as the US congress is full of cowards and lickspittles so anything is on the cards, I hope i am wrong.

No. Venezuela is not an American state. States hold rights and influence in the American system of governance. Venezuela is a colony.

Whoops yes good point

[mr.WHO]

Wasn't Panama on the list as well? That isn't that far from Venezuela probably makes more sense logistically to strike there next.

I'm not sure, but didn't Panama basically surendered last year and switched canal management from chinese company to US company?

Oh, we also forgot Trump thretened Mexico with invasion against cartels.

[Falcrack]

Meanwhile no one notices how this "legitimates" the invasion of Taiwan. Xi already "promised" it for 2026. Such a stupid duck -.-

The sovereignty of Venezuela should have never been violated like that. No matter the internal problems.

Yeah, this is the sort of stupid stuff the US does without realizing the consequences. That if we can invade others with impunity with morally dubious justification (see Iraq invasion in 2003 as well), then any other powers feels they can invade their neighbors on similarly flimsy pretexts.

[clakclak]

Wasn't Panama on the list as well? That isn't that far from Venezuela probably makes more sense logistically to strike there next.

I'm not sure, but didn't Panama basically surendered last year and switched canal management from chinese company to US company?

Oh, we also forgot Trump thretened Mexico with invasion against cartels.

Oh you are right.

Also small update, the next three on America's shit list are apparently: Cuba, Mexico and Colombia.

Source: Axios: After capturing Maduro, Trump hints at military action in Cuba, Mexico and Colombia

[fiksal]

Well I came to congratulate every MAGA of a start of succesfull imperial campaign. I see lots of money and blood in your future. You voted for it. I keep being impressed.

Does anyone remember that only Congress can declare war in US? Anyone?

[mr.WHO]

Also small update, the next three on America's shit list are apparently: Cuba, Mexico and Colombia.

Source: Axios: After capturing Maduro, Trump hints at military action in Cuba, Mexico and Colombia

I always thought Call of Duty: Ghosts setting was stupid, yet somehow now we're moving towards Trump creating anti-US Federation next door.
The only difference is, that in real life this could include Canada and Denmark - back in the days, if someone would pitch this to Activision it would be "rejected, we must make it at least minimally plausible".

[jlehtone]

Does anyone remember that only Congress can declare war in US? Anyone?

Luckily nobody has started "special operations" without declaration of war. Such would be a dangerous example for the less imaginative leaders ...

[felter]

Trump, were going to run the country.
Trump, what do you mean they don't pay for health care.

[fiksal]

I am pretty sure he just meant we'll exploit

Luckily nobody has started "special operations" without declaration of war. Such would be a dangerous example for the less imaginative leaders ...

That would be bad if those two hypothetical ones would be best buds too

[Chips]

Well that escalated quickly. Thought it'd be a long drawn out "wait for the people to overthrow..."

Meanwhile no one notices how this "legitimates" the invasion of Taiwan. Xi already "promised" it for 2026. Such a stupid duck -.-

The sovereignty of Venezuela should have never been violated like that. No matter the internal problems.

It was the first thing I thought about upon hearing it; "Oh Taiwan, oh no... " - but as Taiwan has all the semi conductor manufacturing for now, the US would *possibly* intervene - at least until they've got manufacturing in the US ramped up? Maybe?

Trump, were going to run the country.
Trump, what do you mean they don't pay for health care.

So true.

[matthewfarmery]

I wonder which country will be next on Trump's hit list? I mean, now that he taken this step, be might as well go full throttle here. Congress won't stop him. And the SC have blood on their hands.

[fiksal]

Mexico probably easier.

EDIT: my bad, apparently this is the list of countries to join the US Soviet Union:
"After capturing Maduro, Trump hints at military action in Cuba, Mexico and Colombia"
https://nypost.com/2026/01/03/world-new ... tch-his-a/

Next maybe Greenland.
I think Canada is next after.

NATO will seize its function somewhere at step two.