It is mortifying to watch as someone who spent years in the foreign service defending the rules-based international order.
When the U.S. conducts airstrikes on a sovereign capital, extracts a head of state via special forces without congressional authorization, and announces it on social media from a private resort, we’ve just demolished every argument we’ve made about Ukraine for the past three years.
From a diplomatic perspective, this is catastrophic.
Every international law argument we’ve made: sovereignty matters, territorial integrity is inviolable, regime change by force is illegal, the UN Charter means something; just became “rules for thee but not for me.”
We just became the thing we claimed to oppose. And every person still there knows it, even if they can’t say it publicly. And frankly, it’s pathetic that they will still work for this regime. Disgusting…
That’s the real cost of this operation, not just Venezuelan lives, but American credibility on every principle we claimed to defend.
To increase America’s access to oil, Fascist dictator, Donald Trump has invaded Venezuela—the latest in a series of impeachable offenses committed by our criminal president. Trump is intellectually, cognitively, ethically, and morally unfit to perform the duties as President of a Constitutional Republic.
The release of the transcript of Jack Smith’s testimony to the Judiciary Committee confirms “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Donald Trump tried to overthrow the government of the United States on January 6, 2021–a blatant act of treason. The majority of Americans reject his treasonous attempt to overthrow the 2020 elections. They reject his invasion of the sovereign nation of Venezuela. They reject his deployment of ICE thugs, they reject his sexual predations, his fraudulent financial dealings, his pardoning of criminal oligarchs, his murderous attacks on the high seas, his deployments of the U.S. military against the American people, and his compulsive and continual lying.
Opposition to Trump’s presidency continues to grow. Revealed by the October 18th “NO KINGS” protests followed by the total rejection of MAGA Republicans in the November 4th elections, the Trump presidency—as reported by Fox News on November 18—was approved by only 38% of Americans; 60% of the American people disapprove.
Every aspect of Trump’s Presidency is rejected by the majority of the American people. This majority will not rest until the convicted criminal Donald Trump, and his MAGA Neo-Nazi enablers, are removed from office, prosecuted for treason, convicted, and punished as dictated by the Constitution.
“In short: If nothing else changes, this will have been a very expensive and very dangerous photo op. Tactics without strategy. Experimental surgery without a recovery plan.”
I agree Gary—100%, but why would Trump care about delivering democracy to the Venezuelan people, when he’s trying to deny his very own citizens of that very right? Not to mention, he and his administration are supporting every right-wing fascist political group throughout Europe.
Perhaps his master plan is the Three spheres of influence theory.
Both China and Russia are already ceding the Americas, as the US unilaterally shifts its focus away from Europe and Asia, and instead focuses on the 21st century version of the Monroe Doctrine.
Additionally, the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Group, the newest and most advanced Carrier Group in our fleet was previously stationed in the Mediterranean, protecting our NATO allies, and also delivering critical real-time data to ours allies, so they can defend against Putin’s aggression to the Caribbean; and here we are, abandoning them to the wolves!
This was never about democracy, it’s about an entirely New World Order, and the only problem is that most of the world still hasn’t gotten the memo because they’re still suffering from normalcy bias. IMHO…:)
The Monroe Doctrine, declared by U.S. President James Monroe in 1823, was a foundational US foreign policy stating the Western Hemisphere was closed to new European colonization and interference, establishing separate spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe In return the US stated it would not interfere with European affairs
So Cheeto is employing the Doctrine to not interfere with Ukraine which Putin loves but deal with dictatorships in the Western hemisphere for purposes of securing the lucrative Venezualan oil field Much like the tariffs which was an 1890’s endeavor which brought great prosperity to the “robber barons” leaving the rest of Americans destitute, using the Doctrine as an excuse to take over another country for its rich resources is the point WE the People remember his campaign promise to stay out of foreign conflicts is yet another lie he used to get elected and stay out of jail
King Cheeto wants to take the US back to the past where excessive wealth for now billionaires of today paves the way for power mongering in other countries’ political affairs and destabilizing them like Bush did to Iraq This will not end well either for us or King Cheeto
“It has to be judicious… ‘cos that’s what we are all about,” says Donald trump.
Absolute nonsense! “Judicious Intent” as a mere declaration by a reputed fraudster, hustler, and liar does not excuse extrajudicial take over of a sovereign nation.
America is not about peace, and it is certainly not respected in the eyes of the world. Delusional to imagine or believe otherwise!
This man trump is far more an ogre than Nicolás Maduro ever was!
I find this absolutely ridiculous. Russia attacks Ukraine, thats so evil. America attacks Venezuela and we should be grateful that the dictators gone, right?
Well, guess what? The United States will now instate a puppet government in Venezuela. Considering how Maria buttered up Trump follow her nobel prize victory, it dosen't matter if she takes charge of the country or the current vice president does. Venezuela will still serve the US government, not Venezuelans.
Let’s hope you’re wrong. Unfortunately hope is all we have- in this lawless and unconstitutional environment, all we can do is hope that Rubio et al don’t horribly magnify this error.
I hope I'm wrong too, haha. But it does seem almost inevitable. The US has a history of resorting to the most extreme measures in order to control the western hemisphere. This is just the latest addition.
But let’s not overlook - her award was only from the Nobel Foundation… Nowhere near as prestigious as one from a corrupt soccer club - according to the current cabinet of sycophants!
Yet another case of "meet the new boss, same as the old boss" will be a recipe for perpetuating the cycle of revenge. The biggest winners will be Big Oil & the military-industrial complex.
This is incoherent: “We Americans should jealously guard our democratic institutions at home. “ — there is no more important democratic institution than the Constitutional decision to vest the power to declare war and foreign interventions in the Congress rather than the executive, which the founders recognized would be prone to corruption because of the control of the military. If you cheer this beheading of Venezuela by the executive you are simply saying that the ends justify the means, whatever means. That’s what Putin thinks too.
Venezuelans didn’t elect Maria Corina Machado. Where are you getting that? They didn’t… maybe they would have if given the chance. But they didn’t. Please, stick to the facts. That’s all we got these days.
Do you honestly believe that Maduro’s overthrow has anything to do with restoring democratic order in the country? Or that you can justify an act on the basis of its outcome while ignoring international law and the constitutional framework of the United States? I think the intentions are obvious, and that does not inspire optimism.
Trump has no intention of returning Venezuela to democratic rule. He has been very clear about that. He doesn't want democracy in the US, why would he care about Venezuela?
I listened to Trump’s press conference. He spent much time discussing oil and being “paid back” for earlier nationalizations. This is where his motive lies.
He said nothing about elections, voting or even human rights in Venezuela. Certainly democracy did not come up either.
I too watched that shambolic press conference, and everyone really should as it becomes evident the longer it goes on that there is no plan. There was no explanation of how we would run Venezuela or what that might look like — other than he believes the oil will pay for everything. Also, expect Venezuela to become the new dumping ground for all the unwanted immigrants. Why do you think that ghoul Steven Miller was there.
HCR provided a very good overview of the constitutional concerns briefly referenced here. I would encourage readers to look/listen to that in conjunction with this article.
It is mortifying to watch as someone who spent years in the foreign service defending the rules-based international order.
When the U.S. conducts airstrikes on a sovereign capital, extracts a head of state via special forces without congressional authorization, and announces it on social media from a private resort, we’ve just demolished every argument we’ve made about Ukraine for the past three years.
From a diplomatic perspective, this is catastrophic.
Every international law argument we’ve made: sovereignty matters, territorial integrity is inviolable, regime change by force is illegal, the UN Charter means something; just became “rules for thee but not for me.”
We just became the thing we claimed to oppose. And every person still there knows it, even if they can’t say it publicly. And frankly, it’s pathetic that they will still work for this regime. Disgusting…
That’s the real cost of this operation, not just Venezuelan lives, but American credibility on every principle we claimed to defend.
—Johan
To increase America’s access to oil, Fascist dictator, Donald Trump has invaded Venezuela—the latest in a series of impeachable offenses committed by our criminal president. Trump is intellectually, cognitively, ethically, and morally unfit to perform the duties as President of a Constitutional Republic.
The release of the transcript of Jack Smith’s testimony to the Judiciary Committee confirms “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Donald Trump tried to overthrow the government of the United States on January 6, 2021–a blatant act of treason. The majority of Americans reject his treasonous attempt to overthrow the 2020 elections. They reject his invasion of the sovereign nation of Venezuela. They reject his deployment of ICE thugs, they reject his sexual predations, his fraudulent financial dealings, his pardoning of criminal oligarchs, his murderous attacks on the high seas, his deployments of the U.S. military against the American people, and his compulsive and continual lying.
Opposition to Trump’s presidency continues to grow. Revealed by the October 18th “NO KINGS” protests followed by the total rejection of MAGA Republicans in the November 4th elections, the Trump presidency—as reported by Fox News on November 18—was approved by only 38% of Americans; 60% of the American people disapprove.
Every aspect of Trump’s Presidency is rejected by the majority of the American people. This majority will not rest until the convicted criminal Donald Trump, and his MAGA Neo-Nazi enablers, are removed from office, prosecuted for treason, convicted, and punished as dictated by the Constitution.
“In short: If nothing else changes, this will have been a very expensive and very dangerous photo op. Tactics without strategy. Experimental surgery without a recovery plan.”
I agree Gary—100%, but why would Trump care about delivering democracy to the Venezuelan people, when he’s trying to deny his very own citizens of that very right? Not to mention, he and his administration are supporting every right-wing fascist political group throughout Europe.
Perhaps his master plan is the Three spheres of influence theory.
Both China and Russia are already ceding the Americas, as the US unilaterally shifts its focus away from Europe and Asia, and instead focuses on the 21st century version of the Monroe Doctrine.
Additionally, the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Group, the newest and most advanced Carrier Group in our fleet was previously stationed in the Mediterranean, protecting our NATO allies, and also delivering critical real-time data to ours allies, so they can defend against Putin’s aggression to the Caribbean; and here we are, abandoning them to the wolves!
This was never about democracy, it’s about an entirely New World Order, and the only problem is that most of the world still hasn’t gotten the memo because they’re still suffering from normalcy bias. IMHO…:)
King Cheeto Exercising The Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine, declared by U.S. President James Monroe in 1823, was a foundational US foreign policy stating the Western Hemisphere was closed to new European colonization and interference, establishing separate spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe In return the US stated it would not interfere with European affairs
So Cheeto is employing the Doctrine to not interfere with Ukraine which Putin loves but deal with dictatorships in the Western hemisphere for purposes of securing the lucrative Venezualan oil field Much like the tariffs which was an 1890’s endeavor which brought great prosperity to the “robber barons” leaving the rest of Americans destitute, using the Doctrine as an excuse to take over another country for its rich resources is the point WE the People remember his campaign promise to stay out of foreign conflicts is yet another lie he used to get elected and stay out of jail
King Cheeto wants to take the US back to the past where excessive wealth for now billionaires of today paves the way for power mongering in other countries’ political affairs and destabilizing them like Bush did to Iraq This will not end well either for us or King Cheeto
China is deeply into South America and according to recent reports, has no intention of leaving.
“It has to be judicious… ‘cos that’s what we are all about,” says Donald trump.
Absolute nonsense! “Judicious Intent” as a mere declaration by a reputed fraudster, hustler, and liar does not excuse extrajudicial take over of a sovereign nation.
America is not about peace, and it is certainly not respected in the eyes of the world. Delusional to imagine or believe otherwise!
This man trump is far more an ogre than Nicolás Maduro ever was!
I find this absolutely ridiculous. Russia attacks Ukraine, thats so evil. America attacks Venezuela and we should be grateful that the dictators gone, right?
Well, guess what? The United States will now instate a puppet government in Venezuela. Considering how Maria buttered up Trump follow her nobel prize victory, it dosen't matter if she takes charge of the country or the current vice president does. Venezuela will still serve the US government, not Venezuelans.
He specifically ruled out Machado. She buttered him up but wasn’t the complete toady required.
Let’s hope you’re wrong. Unfortunately hope is all we have- in this lawless and unconstitutional environment, all we can do is hope that Rubio et al don’t horribly magnify this error.
I hope I'm wrong too, haha. But it does seem almost inevitable. The US has a history of resorting to the most extreme measures in order to control the western hemisphere. This is just the latest addition.
But let’s not overlook - her award was only from the Nobel Foundation… Nowhere near as prestigious as one from a corrupt soccer club - according to the current cabinet of sycophants!
Yet another case of "meet the new boss, same as the old boss" will be a recipe for perpetuating the cycle of revenge. The biggest winners will be Big Oil & the military-industrial complex.
All he needs to find is a new boss willing to work with him.
This is incoherent: “We Americans should jealously guard our democratic institutions at home. “ — there is no more important democratic institution than the Constitutional decision to vest the power to declare war and foreign interventions in the Congress rather than the executive, which the founders recognized would be prone to corruption because of the control of the military. If you cheer this beheading of Venezuela by the executive you are simply saying that the ends justify the means, whatever means. That’s what Putin thinks too.
Also Xi in China.
Venezuelans didn’t elect Maria Corina Machado. Where are you getting that? They didn’t… maybe they would have if given the chance. But they didn’t. Please, stick to the facts. That’s all we got these days.
Do you honestly believe that Maduro’s overthrow has anything to do with restoring democratic order in the country? Or that you can justify an act on the basis of its outcome while ignoring international law and the constitutional framework of the United States? I think the intentions are obvious, and that does not inspire optimism.
Trump has no intention of returning Venezuela to democratic rule. He has been very clear about that. He doesn't want democracy in the US, why would he care about Venezuela?
I listened to Trump’s press conference. He spent much time discussing oil and being “paid back” for earlier nationalizations. This is where his motive lies.
He said nothing about elections, voting or even human rights in Venezuela. Certainly democracy did not come up either.
I too watched that shambolic press conference, and everyone really should as it becomes evident the longer it goes on that there is no plan. There was no explanation of how we would run Venezuela or what that might look like — other than he believes the oil will pay for everything. Also, expect Venezuela to become the new dumping ground for all the unwanted immigrants. Why do you think that ghoul Steven Miller was there.
Indeed!
Isn’t it the wealthy techies that support colonialism? Trump is ripping off their idea, and supporting it.
This is the most sensible thing written about the Maduro capture that I have seen yet
HCR provided a very good overview of the constitutional concerns briefly referenced here. I would encourage readers to look/listen to that in conjunction with this article.
fuck anyone who supports this. and fuck machados war mongering ass, she needs to get got