What an excellent and important column, and clear even to someone like me who hasn't paid enough attention to Venezuela. What I've seen from the outside looks chaotic, not to mention bombastic. You've helped me make some sense of what the administration is up to.
P.S. "Because policy driven by someone with rigid ideology but flexible principles is how you get pressure without planning, and coercion without accountability." These are words to live by, and unfortunately Mario Rubio isn't the only person in this administration they apply to.
Incredible breakdown of the shift from sanctions theater to actual interdction. The Rubio point is crucial but I dunno if people realize how dangerous it is when policy gets driven by personal fixation rather than national interest. Saw this dynamic play out in regional trade negotiations before and once enforcement replaces diplomacy, its basically impossible to offramp without looking weak or admitting the whole approach was flawed from day one.
I hope you have a good Holiday and can forget all of the Trump uproar for a little while.
I am learning so much about the status of the US and our southern neighbors from you. Thank you again for all you are doing to inform me, and other concerned citizens about the status of the Trump disasters.
Gracias Olivia🙏🏻🇻🇪 BUT you forget that there were elections on July 28th, 2024. We have an elected President Edmundo González Urrutia. And María Corona Machado. The tallies and receipts are exhibited right now at the Nobel Peace Prize Museum. So technically it's NOT Regime Change. It's giving the people's mandate the chance to flourish. They have everything planned. Teams for the Transition have combed through all the "what ifs". Including how to manage in a AN with Chavista Majority. You should check Jørgen Watnes Fryednes' speech at the Ceremony.
If you think the Trump regime is about your democracy and not Trump personal gain financially for him and his wealthy loyalists…. Your’re in for some hard truths. He isn’t about “freeing” your country but to dominate it….. get your country’s checkbook ready…
I rather have the gringos as they were since 1950, bring partners and helping reorganize (for their gain) Venezuela's Oil Industry than Chavistas running it to the ground after stealing billions of 💰💰💰💰and then gifting it to Cuba, our overlords, to sell to China to make some money to keep the half dead Revolution alive, in exchange for spies and torturers to keep our political prisoners agonizing and our army in check. Wouldn't you?!
Why are Americans geopolitically so blatantly ignorant about LatAm in general and Venezuela in particular?! It's gobsmacking😵💫😳
Who said/wrote that? Trump is a malignant narcissist sociopath. I'm just answering OdeT commentary on "what's Day One going to look like" or "who's going to be in charge?!" question when we ALREADY have an elected President with a landslide victory.
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always). As a Brit, I have often noted the frequency with which the USA meddled with global affairs - starting with Vietnam, which was a constant refrain in the background of my teens - but although there was at times incompetence, there was never, as I recall, any cruelty or viciousness, and the US did at least do a great deal of good through USAID & the Peace Corps, as well as through its movie industry. But now the Trump 2.0 Regime has single-handedly destroyed the good the country has been doing outside the US, antagonised the UK & Europe, as well as virtually all democracies, and is rapidly poisoning the nation. I can foresee a time in the near future, when a US President is making peaceful overtures to the UN, only to be told "So what happens when you have another election? Will your relationship with e.g. the EU, stay the same, or will it change again?"
Good piece Olivia. We all should watch the segment on CECOT from Canadian TV to see the story that Bari Weiss spiked. When Venezuelans have absolutely zero chance of changing their government, their only choice is to leave or face ruin. Trump 1.0, caused the Venezuelan flight migration, and now they send those migrants to CECOT as a warning to other potential migrants that "this will happen to you". This is pure Stephen Miller deliberate cruelty, and "Nosferatu" Miller, since Trump cannot pardon an international warrant, will face the ICC courts in the future. Maybe he will be sent to CECOT himself, and there will be no need to shave his head. "Little Flaccid Marco" may also need to find a lawyer that has practiced before the ICC. I hear Jack Smith is available.
As for the boarding of ships, it is not illegal for the crews of those ships to use deadly force to prevent the illegal boarding (a.k.a. piracy) that is occurring in international waters. Has Trump and his acolytes considered that, and are they prepared to lose good men and women for his purely political stunts?
It's all on us. No coalition, no supporting partners, no political fig leaf. And definitely no proxies. Just a show of overwhelming force, for which the US learned the limits of, generations ago. Pair that with a public that elected Trump to be a 'no-wars' president, I offer this scenario:
The first young (probably man) is returned home in a body bag. The newz vultures descend on his grieving mother. She has some things to say. Hilarity ensues.
Thank you once more, Olivia, for your clear and studied explanation about the situation we’re watching unfold around Venezuela. It makes (sorta) sense now. I have more reading to do.
We are fortunate to have Olivia, with her experiences and dedication to mission, on watch.
The one thing I agree with Rubio about is the importance of the Americas to our prospects Al Norte.
I understand Rubio carry the s.tench of Jesse Helms.
I had the strange fortune to meet Helms at the Embassey in Buenos Aires in 1977. I was serving in my favorite role, of briefcase carrier and companion to my father the Judge. He and Helms were the Guests of Honor for the reception. Dad was there on a Carter initiative, a conference of leaders young and old of the Argentine bar, seeking a path forward for that country through respect for law.
Helms was their to cheerlead the generals in their Dirty War.
We keep going, North and South. We have worked among monsters the whole time. But we're still here. Even if some of us still tan very very badly.
Thank you for your watch, Olivia. You serve well.
Viva la Raza
El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido
Si Se Puedo
When introduced to the monstrous Senator, I identified myself as :Jason Christian, from Berkeley. I believe we are here on different business from you."
"You got that right, son," he said, failing to crush my hand with his.
Thanks Olivia
What an excellent and important column, and clear even to someone like me who hasn't paid enough attention to Venezuela. What I've seen from the outside looks chaotic, not to mention bombastic. You've helped me make some sense of what the administration is up to.
P.S. "Because policy driven by someone with rigid ideology but flexible principles is how you get pressure without planning, and coercion without accountability." These are words to live by, and unfortunately Mario Rubio isn't the only person in this administration they apply to.
Thank you, Olivia. Happy Yuletide to you and your loved ones. Feliz Navidad! I can’t wait for the tamales! 🎄🌟🌶️
Incredible breakdown of the shift from sanctions theater to actual interdction. The Rubio point is crucial but I dunno if people realize how dangerous it is when policy gets driven by personal fixation rather than national interest. Saw this dynamic play out in regional trade negotiations before and once enforcement replaces diplomacy, its basically impossible to offramp without looking weak or admitting the whole approach was flawed from day one.
I hope you have a good Holiday and can forget all of the Trump uproar for a little while.
I am learning so much about the status of the US and our southern neighbors from you. Thank you again for all you are doing to inform me, and other concerned citizens about the status of the Trump disasters.
Jane King
Berthoud, CO
Thank you once again for an extremely cogent analysis of this situation and it's possible serious ramifications.
You are bang on the money again.
Thank you.
Gracias Olivia🙏🏻🇻🇪 BUT you forget that there were elections on July 28th, 2024. We have an elected President Edmundo González Urrutia. And María Corona Machado. The tallies and receipts are exhibited right now at the Nobel Peace Prize Museum. So technically it's NOT Regime Change. It's giving the people's mandate the chance to flourish. They have everything planned. Teams for the Transition have combed through all the "what ifs". Including how to manage in a AN with Chavista Majority. You should check Jørgen Watnes Fryednes' speech at the Ceremony.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2024/ceremony-speech/
If you think the Trump regime is about your democracy and not Trump personal gain financially for him and his wealthy loyalists…. Your’re in for some hard truths. He isn’t about “freeing” your country but to dominate it….. get your country’s checkbook ready…
I rather have the gringos as they were since 1950, bring partners and helping reorganize (for their gain) Venezuela's Oil Industry than Chavistas running it to the ground after stealing billions of 💰💰💰💰and then gifting it to Cuba, our overlords, to sell to China to make some money to keep the half dead Revolution alive, in exchange for spies and torturers to keep our political prisoners agonizing and our army in check. Wouldn't you?!
Why are Americans geopolitically so blatantly ignorant about LatAm in general and Venezuela in particular?! It's gobsmacking😵💫😳
Who said/wrote that? Trump is a malignant narcissist sociopath. I'm just answering OdeT commentary on "what's Day One going to look like" or "who's going to be in charge?!" question when we ALREADY have an elected President with a landslide victory.
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always). As a Brit, I have often noted the frequency with which the USA meddled with global affairs - starting with Vietnam, which was a constant refrain in the background of my teens - but although there was at times incompetence, there was never, as I recall, any cruelty or viciousness, and the US did at least do a great deal of good through USAID & the Peace Corps, as well as through its movie industry. But now the Trump 2.0 Regime has single-handedly destroyed the good the country has been doing outside the US, antagonised the UK & Europe, as well as virtually all democracies, and is rapidly poisoning the nation. I can foresee a time in the near future, when a US President is making peaceful overtures to the UN, only to be told "So what happens when you have another election? Will your relationship with e.g. the EU, stay the same, or will it change again?"
Good piece Olivia. We all should watch the segment on CECOT from Canadian TV to see the story that Bari Weiss spiked. When Venezuelans have absolutely zero chance of changing their government, their only choice is to leave or face ruin. Trump 1.0, caused the Venezuelan flight migration, and now they send those migrants to CECOT as a warning to other potential migrants that "this will happen to you". This is pure Stephen Miller deliberate cruelty, and "Nosferatu" Miller, since Trump cannot pardon an international warrant, will face the ICC courts in the future. Maybe he will be sent to CECOT himself, and there will be no need to shave his head. "Little Flaccid Marco" may also need to find a lawyer that has practiced before the ICC. I hear Jack Smith is available.
As for the boarding of ships, it is not illegal for the crews of those ships to use deadly force to prevent the illegal boarding (a.k.a. piracy) that is occurring in international waters. Has Trump and his acolytes considered that, and are they prepared to lose good men and women for his purely political stunts?
It's all on us. No coalition, no supporting partners, no political fig leaf. And definitely no proxies. Just a show of overwhelming force, for which the US learned the limits of, generations ago. Pair that with a public that elected Trump to be a 'no-wars' president, I offer this scenario:
The first young (probably man) is returned home in a body bag. The newz vultures descend on his grieving mother. She has some things to say. Hilarity ensues.
Thank you once more, Olivia, for your clear and studied explanation about the situation we’re watching unfold around Venezuela. It makes (sorta) sense now. I have more reading to do.
Feliz Navidad, honey!!
Great stuff.
Thank you, I think I have a much better understanding now of Trump's new "Golden FLeet" obsession.
Listen to the woman, you fools!!! Six-dollar gasoline will be the least of your worries if this
mis-Administration get its way.
We are fortunate to have Olivia, with her experiences and dedication to mission, on watch.
The one thing I agree with Rubio about is the importance of the Americas to our prospects Al Norte.
I understand Rubio carry the s.tench of Jesse Helms.
I had the strange fortune to meet Helms at the Embassey in Buenos Aires in 1977. I was serving in my favorite role, of briefcase carrier and companion to my father the Judge. He and Helms were the Guests of Honor for the reception. Dad was there on a Carter initiative, a conference of leaders young and old of the Argentine bar, seeking a path forward for that country through respect for law.
Helms was their to cheerlead the generals in their Dirty War.
We keep going, North and South. We have worked among monsters the whole time. But we're still here. Even if some of us still tan very very badly.
Thank you for your watch, Olivia. You serve well.
Viva la Raza
El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido
Si Se Puedo
When introduced to the monstrous Senator, I identified myself as :Jason Christian, from Berkeley. I believe we are here on different business from you."
"You got that right, son," he said, failing to crush my hand with his.
Download somewhere that all of those countries are unifying with no fly restrictions in their airspace?