KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been at war with the United States in every way except bullets for at least the last 12 years.

Strange how so many people fail to grasp it.

'Swapping' countries is meaningless internet palp. Though I would certainly move our 33,000 troops out of South Korea and put them to use in securing Venezuela oil fields for our use.

---

whiterock said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

pic.twitter.com/LNOsJHafjI

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 7, 2026

---

Dividends being paid

---

but Porteroso said this was accomplished with "not befitting behavior" so obviously we must spurn the olive branch.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been at war with the United States in every way except bullets for at least the last 12 years.

Strange how so many people fail to grasp it.

'Swapping' countries is meaningless internet palp. Though I would certainly move our 33,000 troops out of South Korea and put them to use in securing Venezuela oil fields for our use.

---

Trade and mutual economic interests have kept it from resulting in a war of bullets. I don't think people fully understand that part either.

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been at war with the United States in every way except bullets for at least the last 12 years.

Strange how so many people fail to grasp it.

'Swapping' countries is meaningless internet palp. Though I would certainly move our 33,000 troops out of South Korea and put them to use in securing Venezuela oil fields for our use.

---

Trade and mutual economic interests have kept it from resulting in a war of bullets. I don't think people fully understand that part either.

---

The above statement could apply to virtually every adversarial relationship the US has had that has not resulted in a war.

It's a string of words that say nothing

A country doesn't go to war because they want to kick someone's azz.

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

Trump has already said China can continue to buy Venezuelan oil but it will be at market price

---

Porteroso said:

---

whiterock said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

pic.twitter.com/LNOsJHafjI

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 7, 2026

---

Dividends being paid

---

but Porteroso said this was accomplished with "not befitting behavior" so obviously we must spurn the olive branch.

---

2 politicians are going to speak to each other. Wow.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

Trump has already said China can continue to buy Venezuelan oil but it will be at market price

---

So VZ will be even more dependent on China.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been at war with the United States in every way except bullets for at least the last 12 years.

Strange how so many people fail to grasp it.

'Swapping' countries is meaningless internet palp. Though I would certainly move our 33,000 troops out of South Korea and put them to use in securing Venezuela oil fields for our use.

---

Trade and mutual economic interests have kept it from resulting in a war of bullets. I don't think people fully understand that part either.

---

The above statement could apply to virtually every adversarial relationship the US has had that has not resulted in a war.

It's a string of words that say nothing

A country doesn't go to war because they want to kick someone's azz.

---

There is no comparative to the level of trade between adversaries like that between the U.S. and China. We didn't go to war with the Soviet Union (directly) because of MAD built around nuclear weapons. We don't do it with China because of the element of economic MAD. We have zero trade with Iran, yet we've avoided outright war with them for 4+ decades. We've managed to avoid war with North Korea for over half a century now with zero economic ties.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

Trump has already said China can continue to buy Venezuelan oil but it will be at market price

---

So VZ will be even more dependent on China.

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

This is where a lot of people miss the significance of the change in roles. China did not put all that effort in just to buy oil from Venezuela, but to control oil in that part of the world. VZ's former strongmen may have believed they were being smart by dealing with both Russia and China, but in the end they were just signing over properties and facilities of Western nations to Beijing and Moscow.

Trump's action changes that, abruptly. He has greatly altered China's logistics chain and slapped Putin's ambitions down as well. And he did it not in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia but in our hemisphere, in a way that reminds everyone the US Navy remains a very strong power projection tool, and one still unmatched by anyone else.

You may complain about Trump's choice of words or question how other South American nations (especially Brazil and Argentina) will respond to the new arrangements, but strategically this is huge for the United States and for free nations in South America.

---

FLBear5630 said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

---

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

---

This is where a lot of people miss the significance of the change in roles. China did not put all that effort in just to buy oil from Venezuela, but to control oil in that part of the world. VZ's former strongmen may have believed they were being smart by dealing with both Russia and China, but in the end they were just signing over properties and facilities of Western nations to Beijing and Moscow.

Trump's action changes that, abruptly. He has greatly altered China's logistics chain and slapped Putin's ambitions down as well. And he did it not in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia but in our hemisphere, in a way that reminds everyone the US Navy remains a very strong power projection tool, and one still unmatched by anyone else.

You may complain about Trump's choice of words or question how other South American nations (especially Brazil and Argentina) will respond to the new arrangements, but strategically this is huge for the United States and for free nations in South America.

---

Well, we better get it done with what we did. The Senate just passed bill to block further use of military in VZ.

Even if mostly symbolic, Congress is not on board with how they handled this.

---

whiterock said:

---

Porteroso said:

---

whiterock said:

---

LIB,MR BEARS said:

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boognish_bear said:

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pic.twitter.com/LNOsJHafjI

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 7, 2026

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Dividends being paid

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but Porteroso said this was accomplished with "not befitting behavior" so obviously we must spurn the olive branch.

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2 politicians are going to speak to each other. Wow.

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They've been threatening to go to war with each other for months. and Colombia blinked. So, yeah, speaking to each other in a constructive tone is a good thing.

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

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Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

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That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

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The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

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There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

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canoso said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

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Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

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That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

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The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

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There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

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President Trump is playing 5-D chess by globally disconnecting China and Russia from Venezuela's oil.

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canoso said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

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Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

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President Trump is playing 5-D chess by globally disconnecting China and Russia from Venezuela's oil.

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BREAKING: Trump says U.S. forces will begin special operations & land strikes on Mexican soil.

— Polymarket (@Polymarket) January 9, 2026

ATL Bear said:

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canoso said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

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President Trump is playing 5-D chess by globally disconnecting China and Russia from Venezuela's oil.

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By selling most of it to China? That must come from that 5th dimension…

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Oldbear83 said:

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" we're going headlong into a might makes right approach, which will be mirrored by our adversaries."

Actually, if anything we are catching up to Russia and China in that behavior.

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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canoso said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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ATL Bear said:

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KaiBear said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

President Trump is playing 5-D chess by globally disconnecting China and Russia from Venezuela's oil.

---

By selling most of it to China? That must come from that 5th dimension…

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You don't understand the difference between China buying at spot price, against China being able to name its price and guarantee delivery a year in advance?

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ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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canoso said:

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ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

President Trump is playing 5-D chess by globally disconnecting China and Russia from Venezuela's oil.

---

By selling most of it to China? That must come from that 5th dimension…

---

You don't understand the difference between China buying at spot price, against China being able to name its price and guarantee delivery a year in advance?

---

The economics? Yes. Disconnecting China from Venezuela? Not really.

It's the regime and not the oil that disconnects it, and we still have some work to do there.

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🚨 Trump says the US will be conducting land strikes against the cartels. "We are gonna start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico." pic.twitter.com/63sOf5NWIy

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 9, 2026

The U.S. is now chasing 4 sanctioned oil tankers that have re-flagged as Russian vessels and are trying to escape from Venezuela.

They have also renamed themselves:

- Veronica ➡️ Galileo
- Malak ➡️ Sintez
- Diane hi ➡️ Expander
- Unknown vessel pic.twitter.com/GV2RWcQvGa

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 9, 2026

Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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canoso said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

President Trump is playing 5-D chess by globally disconnecting China and Russia from Venezuela's oil.

---

By selling most of it to China? That must come from that 5th dimension…

---

You don't understand the difference between China buying at spot price, against China being able to name its price and guarantee delivery a year in advance?

---

The economics? Yes. Disconnecting China from Venezuela? Not really.

It's the regime and not the oil that disconnects it, and we still have some work to do there.

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Your comment originally complained about selling to China.

I like the idea of China buying oil from VZ, not least because if they have to go that far they have lost a lot of places to buy oil.

China is trying to build up their navy, and to do that they need a lot of oil. Telling that they cannot match the US in nuclear vessels (can only wonder how good their subs really are), nor does the PLAN seem to be able to deploy the kind of fleet they have bragged they had fifteen years ago.

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

ATL Bear said:

---

KaiBear said:

---

boognish_bear said:

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Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

“The government of Venezuela governs in our country. No one else!

There is no external agent that governs Venezuela. It is Venezuela; it is its constitutional government” pic.twitter.com/9Q7nnifbMq

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

---

Then take out some pipelines.....if that doesn't finish the message.....take out some platforms.

---

That would be a very dangerous move. Most of them are managed by Sinopec or CNPC. So you'd be attacking China directly.

---

The fact that China is so deeply embedded with the Venezuelan oil industry simply provides another reason for the US to act decisively.

This is our hemisphere….the Monroe Doctrine is not a dead letter.

If the United States is going to war let it be in our own sphere of influence and not Eastern Europe.

---

There are 2 sides to the Monroe Doctrine. I mean it's an antiquated concept in a globally connected world, but even if you try to resurrect it conceptually, there's the other part of non involvement elsewhere outside the hemisphere. Trading Venezuela for Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea isn't a good swap.

EDIT: And for what it's worth, China has been one of the top purchasers of U.S. crude oil for some time.

---

China has been doing it's damndest to make the coast of Asia their own territory. Japan and SK have had quite a bit to say about that.

The China move to get into South America was a clear threat which needed to be stopped.

---

Don't disagree with the latter point, I just have a problem with the method. And I'll bet a dime to a dollar whether we do or do not ultimately invest and/or control Venezuela's oil, China will remain their primary customer.

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This is where a lot of people miss the significance of the change in roles. China did not put all that effort in just to buy oil from Venezuela, but to control oil in that part of the world. VZ's former strongmen may have believed they were being smart by dealing with both Russia and China, but in the end they were just signing over properties and facilities of Western nations to Beijing and Moscow.

Trump's action changes that, abruptly. He has greatly altered China's logistics chain and slapped Putin's ambitions down as well. And he did it not in Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia but in our hemisphere, in a way that reminds everyone the US Navy remains a very strong power projection tool, and one still unmatched by anyone else.

You may complain about Trump's choice of words or question how other South American nations (especially Brazil and Argentina) will respond to the new arrangements, but strategically this is huge for the United States and for free nations in South America.

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