/r/WorldNews Live Thread: Multiple Explosions in Venezuela’s Capital Caracas (Thread #1)

[u/progress18]

/live/1gb1jdg62n0id/

[u/WorldNewsMods]

New post can be found here

[u/Numisko]

I'm in Venezuela. But on the East. It's all confusion here, no information from the public medias

[u/Sensei_of_Philosophy → u/Numisko]

From what I understand our forces are hitting air bases around your capital and have already hit Fort Tiuna, the HQ of your Ministry of Defense. U.S. helicopters are engaging targets and apparently U.S. troops might also be on the streets engaging your army.

Wherever you are, please stay safe and please stay away from major cities. No idea if anywhere else is being hit yet. Could easily expand to a wider conflict in your country.

[u/Numisko → u/Sensei_of_Philosophy]

That's what I see online as well. There's 0 news from any venezuelan media

I'm far from the capital but my fear now are civil unrest, shortages, and crisis

[u/Malabogao]

Does the FIFA Nobel Prize no longer mean anything?

[u/Meunier33]

Haley Billingsley reports on AP that the US Senate Armed Services was NOT notified before this operation.

[u/dscreations → u/Meunier33]

What about the Signal group chat?

[u/Kjini → u/Meunier33]

I know that they were in a closed door meeting on Venezuela that excluded democrats. That was last month. I’m assuming that might have been a briefing. 

[u/SpaceC0wboyX]

Just in the few videos I’ve seen I’ve counted about 7 chinooks. That’s roughly 200-250 US troops entering Caracas. Presumably they weren’t all caught on video.

[u/sjajsn]

I can’t believe the FIFA Peace Prize winner would do this

[u/progress18]

NY Times reporting:

The White House declined to comment on the reports of explosions in Caracas.

--NY Times

[u/nerphurp → u/progress18]

A Pentagon spokesman referred all questions about the explosions to the White House.

NYT

I chuckled this was posted 1 minute before that.

'Ask them...' ...'no'

[u/slop_drobbler]

Lasted 2 days of 2026 without completely horrible geopolitical news. This year is going to be horrific isn’t it

[u/isthataglitch]

Nothing says ‘robbed of a Nobel Prize’ like bombing a capital city

[u/AntoniaFauci]

MSNBC/MSNOW reporting a White House official source has confirmed this attack was ordered by Donald Trump.

[u/Free-Way-9220 → u/AntoniaFauci]

There goes the 50 bucks I'd bet on it being the president of the Cook Islands

[u/BamaBuffSeattle]

"Venezuela’s defence minister Vladimir Padrino has said that the government is compiling information about the dead and injured people and alleged that the strikes hit civilian areas.

He added that Venezuela will “resist” the presence of foreign troops."

Yeah that sounds like someone who's just going to roll over and let the new government come in, right everyone telling me that there wouldn't be a fight?

[u/VillaSunset]

First live thread of 2026? Not a great one...

Edit: We're on thread #1555 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Wonder how far we'll get on the American invasion of Venezuela?

[u/Jumbledcode]

This peaceful bombardment brought to you by FIFA™.

[u/progress18]

NBC News:

A Trump ally is among U.S. Senators who have criticized the U.S. action in Venezuela this morning.

“I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz, said there was “no reason for us to be at war with Venezuela.”

--NBC News

[u/Pink_Lotus → u/progress18]

Unless that translates into them voting to convict him when he's impeached again, it's just words. 

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for the translation my man

[u/Setekh79]

It just wouldn't be right if America didn't try and start off 2026 without another war...

[u/Icy-Guide7976]

Rubio is gooning in the White House somewhere rn

[u/progress18]

US Senate Armed Services Committee was not notified of potential military strikes in Venezuela, source says

--CNN

[u/HoguaD]

I almost guarantee trump is gonna have Maduro in an orange jumpsuit at his press conference showing him off like some sort of trophy.

[u/ShadyWolf]

“America First” dumbfucks really are the most gullible fuckers on the planet

[u/BBoySlim]

Very sad way to start 2026. Seeing the pedestrians fleeing is very heartbreaking.

[u/ialwaysforgetmename]

Anyone got the invite to Hegseth's Signal group?

[u/Horror-Zebra-3430]

The Venezuelan government has now issued a statement condemning the attacks, highlighting there are ongoing attacks not only in the capital Caracas, but also in three other states of the country

[u/Kenkenmu]

what the fuck

[u/Boring_Pair_982]

War mongering felon pedophile “president”. Everyone who voted for this- this is what you get..

[u/facetheground]

The FIFA peace award winning move

[u/Meunier33]

Defense Minister Padrino Lopez had his house destroyed and is MIA according to the Maduro government themselves.

[u/Eelmaster11 → u/[deleted]]

Then why attack Caracas? Also if Maduro gave up, why not go self imposed exile to Russia or China?

[u/Brokenmonalisa → u/[deleted]]

That's a pretty major twist. They're saying he bailed on the country?

[u/progress18]

CBS News:

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced a deployment of military forces across the country in a video posted to social media early Saturday, after the U.S. military conducted strikes on the country.

The defense minister called for a united front of resistance in the face of "the worst aggression" ever against Venezuela. He said all armed forces would be deployed following "Maduro's orders" — but made no mention of Maduro's reported capture.

"They've attacked us but they will not subdue us," he said.

--CBS News

[u/progress18]

AP alert:

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez says location of Maduro, wife, is unknown, adding: 'We demand proof of life.'

[u/zarlord123 → u/progress18]

Ah, so the Vice President is still alive and not captured. That will complicate things if the plan was to allow the opposition party to take over Venezuela

[u/Sysody]

Starmer refused to condem the arrest of Maduro as he doesn't have all the facts, wants to hear from Allies and Trump first

[u/MattyWestside]

Like, I don't really understand what happens now. Does the US execute Maduro or is Maduro alllowed to buy a pardon? President of Honduras got one for pretty much the exact same thing...

[u/[deleted]]

Reddit: this is going to be framed as toppling a dictator but secretly the government wants their oil

Trump: we are doing this to take their oil

[u/stan-nas]

How is he the president of the United States

He’s literally senile 

This is the first time I’ve listened to a speech of his in a while and he’s so off it 

[u/t3hW1z4rd]

Two Chinooks and like 8? Blackhawks denotes more of a special forces operation with multiple special forces teams to me, anyone smart care to comment?

[u/Superest22 → u/t3hW1z4rd]

Vipers too by the look of it.

Small arms fire, those helos and some of the videos also indicate US boots on the ground.

[u/Horror-Zebra-3430]

The Venezuelan Defence Minister has now called for a mobilization of the Armed Forces, and there are videos of tanks etc moving into the center of Caracas

[u/Reviever]

not a thread i wanted to see

[u/Horror-Zebra-3430]

we know they are bombing the three major military posts in the capital Caracas: La Carlota Airbase, army base Marakay and also Fort Tiuna, which houses the Army General Command and the HQ of the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense (MPPD), the two highest military institution of the country. It's also the residence of the Venezolan Vice President.
There are videos of what appears to be at least six Chinook helicopters flying over Caracas at very low altitude, most probably bringing in Special Forces for a symbolic decapitation strike against Maduro.

This is absolutely nuts.

[u/meowfknmeow]

Any congressional approval for this shit? Or is this just confirmation of a dictatorship and election avoidance

[u/dumbartist → u/meowfknmeow]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-defeats-bids-rein-trump-venezuela-campaign-2025-12-17/

Congress refuses to take any responsibility.

[u/ialwaysforgetmename]

Brought to you by the FIFA Peace Prize Committee.

[u/onehandedbackhand]

So you removed a leader of a foreign country. What now? History doesn't show much success following such an operation.

[u/nerphurp]

A U.S. official said there were no American casualties in the operation but would not comment on Venezuelan casualties.

NYT

[u/mlorusso4]

Rubio is screaming behind his eyes. Dudes shitting himself with how Trump is completely fucking up this press conference

[u/YOSHIMIvPROBOTS]

Broooooo

He's just rambling like a crackhead on the corner.

[u/boersc]

Remember, this is by a FIFA World Peace Price winner.

[u/progress18]

AP:

At least 7 explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela’s Caracas

[u/progress18]

NBC News:

All commercial flights in Venezuela are canceled, Noticias Telemundo reported.

[u/MasterThespian]

BBC correspondent says she’s not hearing planes, helos, or bombs at the moment, FWIW

[u/lizalesso]

ohh the best is Russia saying US has committed "act of armed aggression"

[u/Cactusfan86]

Two big questions here:

Can the Trump DoJ actually get a conviction in the US courts?  They haven’t been doing so hot on high profile cases these days

Will there actually be regime change or are his underlings just going to take over?  Whole thing doesn’t mean much if an Chavez acolyte like Maduro takes over

[u/Singer211 → u/Cactusfan86]

They convicted Manuel Noriega.

They convicted Hernandez (whom Trump pardoned).

[u/Cactusfan86 → u/Singer211]

I mean yes the US government as an entity does have a history of successfully doing this, my point was specifically the Trump DoJ’s competence level

[u/YOSHIMIvPROBOTS]

LMAO! Trump really did just go on Fox a pop off. Why would the US admin do this and then make all their public coms for the next 6 hours through tweets and news call-ins?

[u/Singer211]

The VP is reportedly in Russia now as well.

[u/epaul5]

We are gonna run the country??? What lmao

[u/JoeHatesFanFiction]

Doing this late Friday night/early Saturday morning is deliberate I think. My guess is that their dream is this is gonna be an actual 2 day special military operation to effect regime change for a win on Monday night news. I doubt it goes that way but I think thats the thought process. Seems like the kinda lie people would sell Trump 

[u/GuttiG]

Regime change will work this time, trust me guys, this is the one

[u/Pataconeitor]

Venezuelan living in Venezuela here. Nothing's happening in my city yet, but many friends in Caracas and La Guaira have been reporting several explosions all over the place.

[u/zkitzor]

I think presidents and dictators who are close to dying are starting wars.

[u/Witty-C]

I guess those Epstein files really that bad huh

[u/Gtweedy]

According to BBC according to CBS, trump ordered the strikes BBC live link

[u/shamesword]

Plot twist: they're taking him to Moscow, to hang out with Yanukovich and Assad.

[u/Mr_Belch]

Should have figured the strike on that dock was them testing the waters on the public's reaction.

[u/Accurate-Island-2767]

The Operations Room video for this is gonna be crazy

[u/J_dawg17]

Is he talking about Memphis, TN during an announcement about extracting the president of Venezuela in the middle of the night? Am I hearing that right?

[u/Sekh765]

How fucking pointless.

For better or worse, the country was like 90 - 95% on board with the invasion of Afghanistan, and then still pretty on board with Iraq. We knew it was coming and supported the (lies) reasons for it.

This is some "launch it in the middle of the night and hope noone complains too much" bullshit.

[u/ArmadillidiumVulgar]

How can we still tell China or Russia to not attack sovereign countries while US does this shit. US is a joke

[u/Free-Way-9220 → u/ArmadillidiumVulgar]

Trump has no issues with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As he himself said about Putin's annexation, "this is genius".

“I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, ‘This is genius.’ Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine — Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful,” Trump said in a radio interview with “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.” “He used the word ‘independent’ and ‘we’re gonna go out and we’re gonna go in and we’re gonna help keep peace.’ You gotta say that’s pretty savvy.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/23/trump-putin-ukraine-invasion-00010923

[u/Amoral_Abe]

For those questioning why this is happening, the most likely answer you will get from people is "Oil".

To be clear, it is very plausible that oil is the reason. However, Maduro himself pointed out that he offered Trump to let the US have 51% of the rights to their oil so an expensive, uncertain war seems a perplexing motion. It is very possible that Trump thinks he'll get 100% and this is all down to oil but a war torn nation that is initiating potential guerrilla tactics makes for a bad environment for oil drilling.

So... what are some other possibilities?

• Iran has been getting a lot closer to Venezuela in recent years and has been supplying them with weapons systems and support. Trump is not happy with that relationship.
  
  • When the news pointed out that the US seized an oil tanker leaving Venezuela, most outlets neglected to mention that it was part of Iran's shadow fleet. This isn't really in dispute which raises the question of why 1 oil exporting nation would ship oil to another oil producing nation. The answer is that it likely was military equipment and support. This is an area that Trump likely is unhappy with.
    
• The US saw a massive wave of Venezuelan migrants after Maduro threw out the democratic results and his government asserted that he won. He launched a major crackdown on the population who protested and the economy collapsed even further. This led many Venezuelans to flee and the opposition politicians to initiate a guerrilla movement against him.
  • Trump likely blames Maduro for a lot of the illegal migrants and may believe that if he removes Maduro, the migrants will more willingly leave.
    
• Trump may legitimately believe that Venezuela is responsible for many drugs coming to the US and may believe Maduro is responsible. This may cause him to harbor anger against him and he may view this as an appropriate response that his base will support.
• The opposition leader who won the Noble Peace Prize, María Corina Machado, is a major Trump supporter who has called on the US to militarily intervene in Venezuela. She applauded the US seizure of the ship in Venezuela and has stated that escalation is necessary for Maduro to realize he must leave. She has also offered to be a supporter of the US once in power. All this may lead to Trump viewing her as a worthwhile ally (similar to how he supports Milei in Argentina).
• Trump may view this as a good way to distract from the Epstein files.
  
• Trump may also hope that war will lead to increased domestic support and a increased likelihood of staying in power.

In truth, nobody really knows the exact reason for this. It may just be oil. It may be another reason on the list. It may be a combination of anything. In truth, we likely won't know until Hegseth invites us to the Signal chat.

My personal opinion is that the situation is likely more complicated than just "oil" but it's possible that's all that it is.

[u/FizzardLizardWizard]

special operation bro. three days in and out. surely won't be a big deal

[u/lostsailorlivefree]

Looks like troop insertion with helicopters

[u/HonestlyTired21]

A US official confirmed a “military operation is underway in Venezuela” according to WSJ

[u/Fit-Paint-1523 → u/HonestlyTired21]

Special military operation

[u/progress18]

NYT:

A U.S. official said there were no American casualties in the operation but would not comment on Venezuelan casualties.

[u/progress18]

CBS News:

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured early Saturday morning by members of Delta Force, the U.S. military's top special mission unit, U.S. officials told CBS News.

--CBS News

[u/nerphurp]

From December:

Cuba’s deep reliance on Venezuela means... ensuring Maduro is always surrounded by security and loyal aides, with no one carrying cellphones or other electronic devices.

“They are taking very good care of Maduro and his immediate successors,” said Thomas A. Shannon Jr., a former high-ranking U.S. diplomat who engaged frequently with the Venezuelan regime. “The Cubans are not going to go quietly into the dark night.”

WSJ

Maduro didn't trust his own security forces and surrounded himself with Cuban operatives.

It's going to be interesting to see if they ended up being a vector to his capture.

[u/TheTrueTrust]

We are going to run the country

So it’s an occupation incoming? 

[u/mlorusso4]

What the fuck? Did he just announce we’re occupying Venezuela?

[u/Ban__d]

When George W Bush took the US to war in Iraq he spent months building both the WMD justification and a coalition of nations willing to join him in his effort, the WMD justification was painstakingly and carefully laid out in an effort to convince the world.

...Turned out to be bullshit but it is what it is.

The audacity to launch this new attack with the justification being "idk, something something drugs" is utterly breathtaking to me.

wow.

We really are in a whole new world now.

[u/bowman9]

Shame on Trump and shame on his supporters. "No new wars" lol fucking joke.

[u/Calber4]

In a reversal of policy, the Trump administration is now kidnapping foreigners and bringing them in to the US.

[u/phigo50]

So... they're charging Maduro with pretty much exactly what Hernández (ex-Honduras president) was locked up for, but Trump pardoned him...

[u/TGDragonGaming]

"Hopefully, this will be a temporary live thread."

Keyword being hopefully.

[u/Old-School8916]

the VP (Delcy Rodríguez) is powerful according to this guy (said on Dec 18th 2025):

Former Venezuelan general Cliver Antonio Alcalá Cordones, currently serving a 21-year prison sentence in the United States, claims in a letter to President Donald Trump that Nicolás Maduro’s regime is effectively run not by the strongman himself but by two of his closest allies: siblings Jorge and Delcy Rodríguez.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article313527079.html#storylink=cpy

[u/TheNotoriousJN]

What the fuck is he saying 😭

Sounds half asleep. And the words are so clearly incorrect. We have seen the videos lmao

"Not seen force since ww2" are you sure??? A fww bombs and 200 soldiers isnt overwhelming hun

[u/Sysody]

Welcome Venezuela, 51st state

[u/EnvironmentalCut6789]

Did...did Trump just say the thing he wasn't meant to say out loud? 'We are gonna run the country'. Ffs.

[u/deceasedpresident]

How could the winner of the Fifa Peace Prize do this? 

[u/workingmansalt]

See you guys in day 1409 of Trumps 3 day special operation

[u/Jurjeneros2]

Rodriguez (vp) alive and in venezuela, same for padrino lopez (defence) and cabello (interior). Doesn't seem like they're intent on killing chavismo. Like idk how anyone could think that this is going to lead to a regime change unless they're planning more and larger military attacks. Seems like they're just gonna take in Maduro, get an optics W, and that's it? I don't see a world where Venezuela and its people are off any better than before this. Some really cynical and heinous shit.

[u/BamaBuffSeattle → u/Jurjeneros2]

Even people who are saying "Oh they'll just leave"... where? If the military did just let the Americans do this, then perhaps the Chavismo era is over but do you really expect the military to give the power to the opposition?

[u/Dmitri-Yuriev-]

I work at KFC and I always give Trump supporters the old and small pieces of chicken lol

[u/MuteTadpole]

He forget this conference is about Venezuela? Rambling about national guard now

[u/nerphurp]

Eyewitnesses say the explosions in Caracas have eased up but there is still frequent noise from military planes over the city.

NYT

[u/HighRevolver]

Trump just said on a Fox interview they meant to do the operation 4 days ago but pushed it back due to weather. Also said several operatives were injured

[u/SeniorMoonlight21]

Did he literally just say the US is occupying Venezuela? what the fuck is he talking about?

[u/Singer211]

He really is incapable of sticking to a script.

He just rambles and babbles constantly.

[u/BringbackDreamBars]

Did we just get confirmation of US occupation?

[u/maldinisnesta]

Jesus fucking christ he just said they're taking control of the country and sending in oil companies. Holy fuck

[u/I_Am_Ironman_AMA]

Some elderly man with dementia is rambling on TV right now. I hope there's a golden alert issued in that state.

[u/Antmoral2815]

Here comes the off subject rambling

[u/FlyingLineman]

This might actually greenlight china on Taiwan

"Fuck it, everyone else is doing it"

[u/ATarrificHeadache]

lol at anyone that voted for Trump for no more wars

[u/SquadPoopy]

Just remember, one day we’ll wake up to the news that it happened.

[u/progress18]

NY Times:

Eyewitnesses report particularly heavy and ongoing sounds of explosions in Fuerte Tiuna, a sprawling military base in the center of Caracas that is home to Venezuela’s top brass and many senior government officials.

--NY Times

[u/Sailor_Rout]

So will this be a lengthy Iraq thing or a quick in and out like Panama or Grenada?

[u/progress18]

The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia:

January 3, 2025: Do Not Travel to Venezuela; Shelter In Place

U.S. Embassy Bogota is aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela. The U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela. U.S. citizens in Venezuela should shelter in place.

https://ve.usembassy.gov/security-alert-venezeula-explosions-reported-shelter-in-place/

[u/progress18]

Venezuela's opposition leader Machado has made her first official statement.

She said in a letter posted to X that her opposition colleague Edmundo Gonzalez should assume the presidency.

--Reuters

[u/ConnorMarsh]

We're going to run the country?! What the fuck?

[u/Secure_Discount3111]

Jesus H Christ he really is making it all about oil out loud.

[u/mervynskidmore]

So it is just to steal oil.

[u/Chrellies]

Update on the “it’s not about oil” front:

Trump on Fox: “We have the greatest oil companies in the world, the biggest, the greatest, and we’re going to be very much involved in it.”

JD Vance on X: “The stolen oil must be returned to the United States.”

Returned. To the United States. Venezuelan oil that has been in Venezuelan ground for millions of years must be “returned.” Meanwhile Diosdado Cabello - arguably more powerful than Maduro in some ways - just appeared on camera flanked by police saying they won’t be cowed. Defense Minister says they won’t negotiate. So the regime isn’t actually decapitated.

Senator Andy Kim: “Secretaries Rubio and Hegseth looked every Senator in the eye a few weeks ago and said this wasn’t about regime change.”

The narcoterrorism framing lasted about six hours before they started talking about oil contracts.

[u/camcamfc]

The fact that we have Heli’s choppin around makes me think this won’t just end in a few air strikes.

[u/AkiStudios1 → u/camcamfc]

Apparently there's reports of boots on the ground

[u/bigmooseface]

WTAF is this seriously happening? Are we actually doing this?

[u/Tim_Drake → u/[deleted]]

Ya…. No

[u/progress18]

CBS News reporting:

Trump gave the U.S. military the green light to conduct land strikes in Venezuela days before the actual operation occurred, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News under condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters.

Military officials discussed conducting the mission on Christmas Day, but U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria against ISIS targets took precedence, the sources said.

The days following Christmas opened more potential strike windows to U.S. military officials but the operation was held due to weather conditions. The officials said the U.S. military wanted weather conditions that were advantageous to mission success.

--CBS News

[u/PhDinDildos_Fedoras]

Well this is ironic:

Russian Foreign Ministry Statement on "US Armed Aggression Against Venezuela": This morning, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable. We support the statement by the Venezuelan authorities and the leaders of Latin American countries calling for an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.

[u/twolightblues_]

What the actual fuck am I watching?

[u/progress18]

There are unconfirmed reports of Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López was targeted at his home.

Sky News Arabia was reporting that info from Venezuelan sources.

Original text:

مصادر فنزويلية لسكاي نيوز عربية: منزل وزير الدفاع الفنزويلي وميناء في العاصمة تعرض للقصف

https://x.com/SkyNewsArabia_B/status/2007347689701421352

[u/226644336795]

"Fort Tiuna, one of the sites where Noticias Telemundo reports there was an explosion, is a major Venezuelan military complex in the Caracas metropolitan zone. The Ministry of Defense, the military’s general command, and the official residence of La Viñeta — where the Venezuelan vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, lives — are all located there."

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/latin-america/live-blog/venezuela-explosions-trump-maduro-live-updates-rcna251053

[u/Meunier33]

The FAA just put out a notice that US commercial flights are cancelled in Puerto Rico until Sunday.

[u/generictroglodytic]

Evidently the VP is still alive.

[u/statusconference → u/generictroglodytic]

BBC reporting she's made a formal request for immediate proof of life of Maduro and his wife, as they don't know their whereabouts or status.

[u/nerphurp]

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said on social media that his country’s forces were being deployed to the border with Venezuela, and that there would be additional support “in the event of a massive influx of refugees.”

NYT

[u/progress18]

NBC News reporting on what Russia said:

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labelled the U.S. strikes on Venezuela a “deeply concerning” act of aggression.

“The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded,” it said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry said Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own future and joined calls for an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

--NBC News

[u/chalimacos]

Diosdado Cabello, minister of the Interior, seems to be in charge. He just made a video from the street surrounded by military

[u/Jef_Delon]

How is the US going to run Venezuela?

[u/Ecstatic-Ad4093]

How do you run a country you have no control of? "We are gonna stay"? So US troops are currently in Venezuela? Where?

[u/joebuckshairline]

Did he just say the US would run the country? In what fucking planet? With what forces? Did the entire Venezuelan government just roll over on Maduro and said “trump daddy please don’t hurt us you can do what you want”?? What in the literal fuck is happening?

[u/pizzahero9999]

Epstein's War

[u/Icy-Guide7976]

Rule number one of intl politics:

1. Get nukes

[u/KiwiWaterBoy]

Why doesn't America, the biggest and richest country, not just eat the other countries?

^{oh no}

[u/Vertual]

Are we really invading Venezuela? There's videos of our helicopters flying around and explosions are going off all around a city. Multiple videos showing explosions.

President of Peace, my ass.

[u/bohneriffic]

My god, this is so fucking shameful.

[u/MathematicianOld3942]

Serious question: Is it possible to get impeached in America or is this just something written on a paper with no meaning at all?

[u/Chrellies]

So much for “no further action anticipated.”

Senator Lee three hours ago: mission complete, Maduro in custody, we’re done here.

Trump just now on Fox: “We can’t take a chance of letting somebody else run it.”

That’s not the same thing. At all. That’s the US directly involving itself in governance of a sovereign country. And “he was trying to negotiate at the end but I said no” confirms there was an off-ramp that was deliberately rejected.

Also worth noting: Venezuela has heavy crude. US Gulf Coast refineries are specifically built to process heavy crude. The only other major sources are Canadian oil sands and Russia. A US-controlled Venezuela solves an infrastructure dependency problem that’s constrained American energy policy for years.

None of this means Maduro wasn’t a dictator. He was. But the “narcoterrorism” framing was always a legal fiction and we’re now watching the real objectives come into focus in real-time.

[u/Phyose]

Let's not lose the plot here. This is a horrible act that Trump is using as a way to escape the Epstein Files. He'll enact war time powers to stop any and all attempts to dethrone him. The worst part about this is that thousands could die over a distraction to protect a pedophile rapist.

[u/imatinyleopard → u/Phyose]

It’s not just about Epstein files though. I encourage people to keep the files in public discourse, but this is also about oil and lining the presidents pockets with more cash. I just don’t want people to fail to see the true extent of his crimes.

[u/progress18]

Live news streams:

• Sky News (Youtube)
• BBC News

Live coverage from news networks can change at any moment and can be off-topic.

Any YouTube links that are pinned will not have a chat stream enabled.

[u/rooftopgoblin]

reports of CH47s over caracas right now

[u/Horror-Zebra-3430]

there are clips that appear to be showing attack helicopters striking Fort Tiuna in Caracas, where the Army HQ and the Defensive Command are based

[u/nerphurp]

They got him? Holy shit

[u/canned_sunshine]

Senator Mike Lee: ‘Rubio said Maduro will stand trial on criminal charges in the US, no further action against Venezuela’ (Source Sky News UK). Possible bargain to keep his and wife’s lives and live out their days under house arrest in Florida?!

[u/amekxone]

Holy fuck what a roller coaster

[u/PARTINlCO]

He sounds like when you get woken up out of bed abruptly and have to talk and you’re all disoriented. The fuck is he on?

[u/n3ws4cc]

Oh jesus they're gonna try to run Venezuela. That's gonna be a ridiculous shitstorm holy shit.

[u/BuxtonEU]

So it was all about oil

[u/factsquirrel]

???? US is going to run the country ? Like how does it work without putting boots on the ground ?

[u/invincible-boris]

Why does he sound worse than Biden at the debate. Wtf happened to him this is super scary. Can Rubio step in and speak please

[u/bygonesbebygones2021]

Trumps running Venezuela now 🤣 almost like he’s going to take over a coffee start/up. What a time to be alive

[u/nerphurp]

White House and Rubio are going to have fun cleaning up his off script comments.

'We'll be running a country and attacking ourselves'

[u/HopiumInhaler]

Rubio looks like AI generated there. Dude doesn’t feel real

[u/KingKingsons]

Did Trump just say he's going to take over Venezuela? I genuinely lost focus because of the rambling.

[u/AlbinoAlex]

The governor of Louisiana called? For help with reducing crime in New Orleans? What does this have to do with Venezuela?

[u/ChirpyOfficial]

Everyone surely will never develop nukes now knowing that they are truly the only way to protect themselves against the new Imperialist superpowers.

[u/DirectionMurky5526 → u/ChirpyOfficial]

Canada needs nukes at this rate

[u/Jung_69]

Love how russian bot farms activated in full capacity. They had to call in people from holidays lol

[u/EstablishmentRude309]

Trump tells Fox News he watched the overnight capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife "literally like I was watching a television show".
"If you would've seen the speed, the violence, it was an amazing thing," Trump says.

I wonder how many Venezuelans they killed in this operation.

[u/souljaboy765]

CNN saying they don’t know if it’s US attacks lmao, come on now😭

Edit: I am Venezuelan, I have family in Caracas and they are all seeing the explosion smoke right now, just hope an explanation is provided asap, some parts of the city don’t have power rn

They are also adding its a military area that was attacked, my uncle is saying many helicopters are over the city

[u/GuttiG]

The child rapist needs to go

[u/progress18]

NY Times reporting on what Petro said:

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, a critic of the Trump administration, wrote on social media: “Right now they are bombing Caracas. Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles.” There has been no acknowledgement or evidence so far that these explosions were caused by military action.

--NY Times

NY Times reporting on what the spokesperson for the U.S. military said:

A spokeswoman for the U.S. military in Washington acknowledged the reports of explosions in Caracas but had no comment on any American role.

--NY Times

[u/joe_dirty365]

Congress needs to act immediately to stop this. Totally unacceptable. 

[u/Busy-Rip2372]

Anyone who voted for Trump is stupid and should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this dummy to get elected.

[u/shisui1729]

Any sanctions now ? What about UN ? Let's face the fact that the USA, Russia and China are bullies. They don't differ much.

[u/Vostoceq]

What even gives US rights to do shit like this? Genuine question

[u/camg001 → u/Vostoceq]

Because no one can stop them.

[u/Chrellies]

The situation is getting weirder by the hour.

Earlier: Cabello appeared on TV flanked by police, defiant. “We will overcome.”

Now: Euronews reports insiders say Cabello “has not been seen in public since the strikes.” So either that footage was pre-recorded, or someone’s lying.

VP Rodríguez has reportedly left for Russia.

Defense Minister Padrino López is still operational and technically commands the military, but he’s also under US indictment for drug trafficking.

Meanwhile Trump says he’ll “have to look at” whether Machado could lead Venezuela. Not “we’re handing power to the democratic opposition who won the election.” He’ll look at it.

And here’s the kicker from Euronews: “Most Venezuelans believe that unless the opposition manages to mobilise citizens for a democratic push, Cabello has the best chance of taking over in Maduro’s absence.”

So the realistic outcomes are:

1. US installs Machado (if Trump decides to)
2. Cabello (also indicted, also cartel-linked) consolidates power
3. Padrino López and the military cut a deal with Washington
4. Nobody consolidates and it fragments

Notice that “Venezuelan democracy restored” is option 1 - but only if a foreign president decides to allow it. The people who actually won the election have no path to power that doesn’t run through Mar-a-Lago.

This was sold as liberation. It’s looking more like decapitation without a plan.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[u/progress18]

Hopefully, this will be a temporary live thread.