Sunday, January 04, 2026

Now Unclear if U.S. will Govern in Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Sunday that the United States would not take a day-to-day role in governing Venezuela ...

Posted by angrydad at 03:31 PM | 57 COMMENTS | permalink

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George W. Bush winged it in Iraq after the invasion. The State Dept. spent months coming up with plans on how to govern following the US attack. The White House and DoD ignored them. And there's no way Trump admin. devoted months-or weeks-to preparing for an occupation of Venezuela.

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-- David Corn (@davidcorn.bsky.social) Jan 3, 2026 at 5:42 PM

Comments

... Rubio says US won't govern Venezuela ...

Then who will?

This action against Venezuela reminds me of fmr Pres GW Bush's attack of Iraq. He also did not seem to have an exit plan.


#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-04 02:23 PM

Perhaps the Zombie Saddam Hussein is available?

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2026-01-04 02:29 PM

Put George Santos in charge.

#3 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-01-04 02:37 PM

So who is going to take credit for this when civil strife or war breaks out in the power vacuum we seem content leaving?

It's like Iraq but without the feigned attempt at justifying international law requirements nor the hanging around to try and fix the mess created by

#4 | Posted by jpw at 2026-01-04 03:28 PM

I keep getting the feeling... Trumpanzee got played again... in a big @$$ way

#5 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2026-01-04 05:59 PM

... Now Unclear if U.S. will Govern in Venezuela ...

During the news conference, Pres Trump looking like he was reading from a script, said at least twice that the US would be running Venezuela.

For that to happen, the actions by Pres Trump would seem to be more war-oriented than law-enforcement.

Perhaps someone reminded Pres Trump of that, and now the Trump admin seems to be desperately back-tracking from what Pres Trump has said.

Also, speaking of that press conference, Pres Trump also mentioned Venezuela's oil more than 20 times, but did he even mention Democracy once? Not that I heard.

So, what is the real reason for Pres Trump's apparent takeover of Venezuela?



#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-04 06:45 PM

If we are not going to "run" Venezuela, what was the point of kidnapping Maduro and killing well over a hundred Venezuelans?

Given the new President is not significantly different from Maduro, do we expect them to work with the US? With oil companies?

If Venezuela does not collapse into internecine violence, will the oil companies go in? If so, how is that different from working with Maduro? What incentive will oil companies need to encourage them to go into Venezuela? Will that be tax payer money to support "development"? If so, how does America ensure the long term protection of said investment, i.e. ensuring what happened previously doesn't happen again?

If we are going to "run" Venezuela, what are the broad strokes of that arrangement? What will we be running? How?

What again was the point of kidnapping Maduro?

What again was the point of any of this?

It is ALMOST like President Piggy hasn't thought this out.

I am open to any concepts of a plan.

#7 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-01-04 06:52 PM

#7 President Piggy = Pedodent of the United States

#8 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-04 06:57 PM

Rubio

"It's not running it. It's running policy."

"We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction, because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest," he said.

Well, isn't that comforting.

If they don't do what we want, then what?

Isn't that ummm extortion?

#9 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-01-04 07:00 PM

[President Piggy] in an interview on Sunday issued a warning for Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodrguez.

"If she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," [President Piggy] told The Atlantic a day after U.S. military forces captured the former leader.

Oh, ok, so there is the threat, said out loud

So, extortion it is

#10 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-01-04 07:02 PM

When the POTUS is literally falling asleep on his feet, his face drooping like a stroke patient, is it really that surprising that he can't even maintain a coherent thought when talking about what comes next?

At this point, everyone who is ignoring his obvious unfitness for office should be mocked mercilessly.

Clowns, the lot of them.

#11 | Posted by chuffy at 2026-01-04 07:13 PM

Unclear why the headline was changed from the linked article.

#12 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-01-04 08:58 PM

@#7 ... If we are not going to "run" Venezuela ...

My guess, and it is only that ...

Pres Trump thought this would be an easy thing to accomplish.

(Pres Putin also thought that Kyiv would fall and succumb to his unprovoked invasion withing a week or so. But I digress.)

A simple transaction.

The superior US Military Might (which I agree with, btw) vs. a lame Country.

Pres Trump has his eye on the Venezuelan oil reserves, trying to keep his major campaign donors happy.

Chevron already seems to be a player in Venezuela's oil fields.

But, going forward, the will need to be more involvement by Big Oil if Pres Trump's hopes are realized.

My concern at this point...

Venezuela's oil drilling facilities are quite distant from the Venezuela's oil refining locations. That gives any Venezuelan opposition to what is happening a chance to disrupt what is happening.

Stated differently, who will be securing the transport of the crude from the wells to the refineries?

Will Pres Trump need to deploy US Military for that task?

Pres Trump has said, ~no US Troops on the ground.~

But it has been shown time and time again that Pres Trump lies. Voraciously.


So, what's the future we, i.e., the United States, face in Venezuela?


#13 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-05 01:04 AM

Oil Reserves by Country
www.worldometers.info

...

# Country WorldShare
1 Venezuela 18.17%
2 Saudi Arabia 16.15%
3 Canada 10.35%
4 Iran 9.54%
5 Iraq 8.67%
...



Wow, Venezuela has more oil reserves than Saudi Arabia.

No wonder Pres Trump referred to "oil" over 20 times during his press conference, and did not even mention Democracy.


#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-05 01:10 AM

Pres Trump thought this would be an easy thing to accomplish.

In his mind it's a done deal. Time for some golf! Or maybe name something after himself.

#15 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-01-05 01:15 AM

@#15

{sadly}

I wish your comment were incorrect.

#16 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-05 02:32 AM

The White House had no plan for dealing with the fallout. The entire charade is just an ego move by Trump.

#17 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2026-01-05 10:28 AM

Trump did succeed at one thing. He got people to stop talking about Epstein for a few days at a time when the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was trafficking victims to Epstein through the spa at Mar-a-lago despite warnings from Trump's own wife. Management at the spa was even warning girls before they sent out to be assaulted.

#18 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2026-01-05 10:31 AM

This action against Venezuela reminds me of fmr Pres GW Bush's attack of Iraq. He also did not seem to have an exit plan.

#1 | Posted by LampLighter

Now that we have more information, this doesn't remind me of Iraq at all.

Iraq seems downright well planned, properly executed and thoughtful compared to this mess.

What we're seeing is the result of "governance" by an unhinged, demented old man who was a skidmark on the underpants of humanity when he was healthy coupled with input by advisors and inner circle members concerned only with their own end games and desires.

#19 | Posted by jpw at 2026-01-05 11:51 AM

How about now they hold some honest elections for the people to decide who should be in charge.

#20 | Posted by MSgt at 2026-01-05 02:29 PM

Additionally, they do not use mass mailing ballots if they want an honest election.

#21 | Posted by MSgt at 2026-01-05 02:30 PM

@#19 ... What we're seeing is the result of "governance" by an unhinged, demented old man ...

Pres Trump is now saying that the US will run Venezuela.

Will the be American troops on the ground there?

#22 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-05 02:39 PM

Additionally, they do not use mass mailing ballots if they want an honest election.

#21 | Posted by MSgt

Yeah everyone knows if you want an honest election you need in person ballots that are counted by a machine built and programmed by one of the president's supporters.

#23 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-05 02:40 PM

MSGT, another drooling old fool whacking it to Faux "News".

Sucker.

#24 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-01-05 10:55 PM

How about now they hold some honest elections for the people to decide who should be in charge.

#20 | Posted by MSgt a

Ask yourself why hasn't President Piggy even whispered at that?

Ask yourself why President Piggy specifically declined the use of the leader of the opposing party?

You won't ask yourself, cause you aren't very intelligent. That is a simple fact.

However, if we DID do that, that is pretty much what we did in Iraq.

There isn't a magic wand of get rid of Mudaro and install Muchado

Doesn't work like that

It is a transition

That transition immediately becomes messy

That transition would absolutely require US troops, then OOOOOOPPPPS I did it again, I played with your life, you got lost in the game, oooh baby baby

So, the alternative is work with the new president.

But ummm what is the point of that, she is as much a socialist as Mudaro.

OOOHHH I get it, threats of violence

Interesting political science experiment. Can a country control another country's actions with solely a fleet at it's shores

Never been done before (successfully)

Maybe somebody in the administration should have paid attention in history class

How much are we willing to spend on a permanent blockade of another country.

Now, that is an interesting question

But, really, this is all hypothetical, President Piggy hasn't communicated what his plans are

i suspect he doesn't have any

Kind of like knocking down the east wing of the WH without a plan or architect for his new ballroom

Thanks magat scum

#25 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-01-05 11:21 PM

How about now they hold some honest elections for the people to decide who should be in charge.
#20 | Posted by MSgt

You've come up with more of a plan than the White House has.

#26 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2026-01-06 01:55 AM

One of my countless vivid memories of the Iraq adventure/debacle was the reporting of W asking dad his thoughts about a possible military excursion and HW's response was, "What is your exit strategy?"

#27 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 02:30 AM

"If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn't be tweeting that they've arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 US firearm law."

Link: x.com

#28 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-01-06 02:50 AM

"Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drugs, weapons and narco-terrorism charges on Monday, two days after his abduction by USSOF in an unlawful operation ordered by Dummkopf Trumpf that sent shock waves around the world.

As Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, addressed the court in lower Manhattan, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting just a few miles to the north, where a dozen countries condemned the US "crime of aggression" and UNSG Antnio Guterres suggested the operation constituted a breach of international law.

Maduro (63) insisted to federal judge Alvin Hellerstein that he was "still president of my country", had been illegally "captured" at his Caracas home, and was "a prisoner of war".

"I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man," Maduro declared in Spanish.

First Lady Cilia Flores sustained "significant injuries during her abduction" and required medical examination for "severe bruising" on her ribs.

Flores, who had large Band-Aids on her temple and forehead, pleaded not guilty and stated that she was "completely innocent."

She appeared to be supported by a Deputy US Marshal in the proceedings.

i.guim.co.uk

Maduro Has Good Lawyer

#29 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-01-06 03:06 AM

One of my countless vivid memories of the Iraq adventure/debacle was the reporting of W asking dad his thoughts about a possible military excursion and HW's response was, "What is your exit strategy?"

#27 | Posted by BellRinger

One of my vivid memories is being called anti american by right wing morons like yourself for opposing the war.

#30 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 01:58 PM

" One of my vivid memories is being called anti american by right wing morons like yourself for opposing the war.

#30 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY AT 2026-01-06 01:58 PM | FLAG: | "

I bought into the WMD lie. Guilty as charged. I was duped. I never called anyone who opposed the war a Saddam butt-buddy.

#31 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 02:44 PM

"I bought into the WMD lie"

I did as well, until the Powell debacle.

I remember watching that presentation, thinking "This will prove our case".

Afterward, my reaction was, "This is all they've got?!? A vial of baking soda and some animation?!?"

#32 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-01-06 02:56 PM

I bought into the WMD lie. Guilty as charged. I was duped. I never called anyone who opposed the war a Saddam butt-buddy.

#31 | Posted by BellRinger

So, maybe, you should go to each and every Iraqi who lost a loved one to our war of aggression and beg their forgiveness.

#33 | Posted by truthhurts at 2026-01-06 03:02 PM

I bought into the WMD lie. Guilty as charged. I was duped. I never called anyone who opposed the war a Saddam butt-buddy.

#31 | Posted by BellRinger

And then afterward you kept getting your news from the same people who lied to you about WMDs, and voting for the same party that lied to you about WMDs. So you didn't actually learn anything from it.

#34 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 03:04 PM

" And then afterward you kept getting your news from the same people who lied to you about WMDs, and voting for the same party that lied to you about WMDs. So you didn't actually learn anything from it.

#34 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY AT 2026-01-06 03:04 PM | FLAG: "

You don't know squat about me. The MSM promulgated the WMD lies. If you are going to keep falsely assigning positions to me I might have to give you a slap.

#35 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:08 PM

" I bought into the WMD lie"

I did as well, until ... ."

Really? This surprises me a bit. You are older and wiser than I am. But then, it was over 20 years ago so at that time you were young, dumb and full of ---.

#36 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:10 PM

How do you govern something you do not control?

#37 | Posted by Wildman62 at 2026-01-06 03:10 PM

"Rubio

"It's not running it. It's running policy."

"We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction, because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest," he said.

Well, isn't that comforting.

If they don't do what we want, then what?

Isn't that ummm extortion?"

#9 | POSTED BY TRUTHHURTS

Rubio = Gusano = Worm.

#38 | Posted by Wildman62 at 2026-01-06 03:13 PM

"Rubio

"It's not running it. It's running policy."

"We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction, because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest," he said.

Well, isn't that comforting.

If they don't do what we want, then what?

Isn't that ummm extortion?"

#9 | POSTED BY TRUTHHURTS

Rubio = Gusano = Worm.

#39 | Posted by Wildman62 at 2026-01-06 03:13 PM

You don't know squat about me. The MSM promulgated the WMD lies. If you are going to keep falsely assigning positions to me I might have to give you a slap.

#35 | Posted by BellRinger

I know plenty about you. I know you kept voting for the party that lied to you about WMDs and getting your info from the same media sources that lied to you about WMDs.

The fact that I'm right is why you're getting so angry.

#40 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 03:19 PM

" The fact that I'm right is why you're getting so angry.

#40 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY AT 2026-01-06 03:19 PM | FLAG: "

I'm not angry at all. You are a programmed droid. All you do is mouth left wing talking points without any critical thought at all. At least I admit when I'm wrong. You are the exact opposite. And you are absolutely a member of the climate apocalypse cult.

#41 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:22 PM

You honestly strike me as the type who would excommunicate a lifelong friend from your life if you found out he voted for a Republican.

#42 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:24 PM

" u. I know you kept voting for the party"

If Dems were to reinvent the,selves as the working class party and drop all of this other DEI nonsense they'd be an easy party to vote for. But right now, they are not. And what they tried to do in 2021 but were thwarted by a whopping 2 Senators from their own party, who coincidentally are no longer senators, makes them WAY too dangerous in my eyes to vote for.

#43 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:27 PM

You honestly strike me as the type who would excommunicate a lifelong friend from your life if you found out he voted for a fascist.
#42 | Posted by BellRinger

Why would that be a bad thing?
The bad thing is staying friends with someone who reveals they are a facist.
Unless of course you're also a fascist.

#44 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-06 03:35 PM

"DEI nonsense"

Civil rights is nonsense to Republicans.
Gay marriage is nonsense to Republicans.

#45 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-06 03:36 PM

I'm not angry at all. You are a programmed droid. All you do is mouth left wing talking points without any critical thought at all. At least I admit when I'm wrong. You are the exact opposite. And you are absolutely a member of the climate apocalypse cult.

#41 | Posted by BellRinger

Your evidence that I cant think critically is that I listen to experts and scientists?

If you could think critically you'd do the same rather than parrot the oil puppet propaganda that has been proven wrong again and again.

#46 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 03:42 PM

Civil rights is nonsense to Republicans.
Gay marriage is nonsense to Republicans.

Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-06 03:36 PM | Reply

It's like he is saying that his wife is a second class citizen, That's what it screams to me.

#47 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2026-01-06 03:43 PM

PS - the political party that lied to you about WMDs, what do they say about climate change?

#48 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 03:43 PM

And what they tried to do in 2021 but were thwarted by a whopping 2 Senators from their own party, who coincidentally are no longer senators, makes them WAY too dangerous in my eyes to vote for.

#43 | Posted by BellRinger

What did they try to do in 2021 that is worse than attempting a fascist coup against the constitution like the other party did?

#49 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 03:44 PM

Well, a couple hundred people rioting for 3 hours Is definitely a bad thing, unless it's being done by lefties in Minneapolis, but a riot isn't a coup so your question rests upon a faulty premise.

#50 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:54 PM

Well, a couple hundred people rioting for 3 hours Is definitely a bad thing, unless it's being done by lefties in Minneapolis, but a riot isn't a coup so your question rests upon a faulty premise.

Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 03:54 PM | Reply

It absolutely was a coup attempt and an insurrection started by Trump. You really can't be intellectually honest can you Jeff??

#51 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2026-01-06 04:00 PM

If JeffJ had been there, he would have made sure that the Electoral Ballot count was stopped as planned, and the Fake Ballots would have re-elected Trump.

When he wasn't busy hanging Mike Pence.

Of course, Trump's own DOJ testified to Trump's Crimes, but that's not enough for his Cult.

#52 | Posted by Corky at 2026-01-06 04:06 PM

" Your evidence that I cant think critically is that I listen to experts and scientists?"

You listen to people who confirm your preconceived biases and when other experts depart from the apocalyptic claims you cast them off as pariahs.

#53 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 04:12 PM

" Your evidence that I cant think critically is that I listen to experts and scientists?"

You listen to people who confirm your preconceived biases and when other experts depart from the apocalyptic claims you cast them off as pariahs.

#53 | Posted by BellRinger

I didn't have preconceived biases about climate change before I learned about climate change. I assumed, like you morons, that you burn gas and then it's gone.

Then I learned from experts and scientists about what actually happens when we burn gasoline. And this changed my preconceived notions that it wasn't harmful.

You on the other hand listened to the experts and you listened to the oil companies lies and chose to swallow the oil companies' lies, even after they were publicly exposed as knowingly lying about it.

It takes a special kind of moron to cling to lies even after they're exposed as false.

#54 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 04:17 PM

" #54 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY AT 2026-01-06 04:17 PM | FLAG: "

You are a cultist. Incapable of actually discussing anything. At least you don't wish horrible things on people you disagree with, at least not that I've witnessed.

#55 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-06 04:41 PM

You listen to people who confirm your preconceived biases and when other experts depart from the apocalyptic claims you cast them off as pariahs.
#53 | Posted by BellRinger

You're mistaken.
You're calling people "experts" when they're really just pundits.
There aren't experts in climate science who deny global warming.
There aren't experts in political science who deny Trump is a fascist.

#56 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-06 05:20 PM

You are a cultist. Incapable of actually discussing anything. At least you don't wish horrible things on people you disagree with, at least not that I've witnessed.

#55 | Posted by BellRinger

I smack you in the face with facts and you have no rebuttal other than to call me a cultist. A word you choose because your party is undeniably a cult by every definition of the word. Trump/Putin 101 - accuse your enemy of your own crimes.

#57 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-01-06 05:53 PM

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