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PaperclipPerfector  11d ago (text post)   756 thread views

Transnational Thursday for October 23, 2025

Transnational Thursday is a thread for people to discuss international news, foreign policy or international relations history. Feel free as well to drop in with coverage of countries you’re interested in, talk about ongoing dynamics like the wars in Israel or Ukraine, or even just whatever you’re reading.

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I see there's a lot of ramp up against Venezuela. What I am not so sure about is what is the actual demand from US/Trump to Venezuela? I mean, do they just want to get rid of Maduro and are building up for that, no matter what, or do they want Venezuela to do something specific, and if they do it, everything goes away? If so, is there a good list of which thing(s) I could read?

If it's about Maduro, what's the endgame there? I mean, getting rid of him personally and his close circle is probably very doable, but then what? I thought MAGA wasn't very eager for nation-building and spreading democracy and all that stuff - that's more neocon vibe on the right and globalist-reptilian New World Order fraction of the Left? And Trump is supposed to be a mortal enemy of both - so what's the thing that he's about to do in Venezuela then?

so what's the thing that he's about to do in Venezuela then?

Trump Oil?

I'm a bit skeptical about "they are going to steal our bodily energy fluids" given how many times this accusation has been leveraged baselessly. Venezuela does have oil, but I don't think they refuse to sell it? And in fact it is going quite well despite the sanctions (same story as Russia) and I am not sure taking over another shithole and being on hook for whatever happens there is actually cheaper than just buying the oil. That said, removing Maduro, so that the proceeds from the sale of the said oil won't go to wrong causes, may be an improvement - the problem is ensuring whoever comes next isn't the same or worse.

My understanding is Rubio is both in charge and has a detailed understanding of the region (and has been killing it down there). If I had to guess (based off of no particular special knowledge other) our move is in response to the oil dispute with Guyana.

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