They have attacked Venezuela': President Gustavo Petro claims Caracas under missile attack

[Cyber Liberty]

Thanks.

I thought a lot about that post from you too.  I would have come come down to the same conclusion you did.  I built my life over here, and the folks over there suffered under a rotten government all this time.  They earned what they will get, the hard way.  God love  'em.

[libertybele]

The Pauls are posers.

Sorry bro.

Both Ron and Rand are isolationists.

[Cyber Liberty]

Both Ron and Rand are isolationists.

They're die hard libertarians. Being a useless voice in the wilderness goes with the territory.

[libertybele]

 Pro-Maduro motorcycle gang thugs hunting for Trump supporters in Caracas days after dictator’s capture: ‘Very tense’
By Caitlin Doornbos and
Patrick Reilly   
Published Jan. 6, 2026
Updated Jan. 6, 2026, 3:28 p.m. ET

Gangs of armed pro-regime militants on motorbikes have taken over the streets of Caracas, hunting down Venezuelans who support the US’s audacious capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, according to videos and on-the-ground accounts shared with The Post and multiple reports.

The masked thugs, known as Colectivos, holding Russian automatic weapons, brought rush hour traffic to a grinding halt in the Venezuelan capital, stopping drivers at checkpoints and demanding to search their phones and cars, four sources in Venezuela confirmed Monday and Tuesday.

The troubled circumstances have residents on edge over what will happen next, said the Venezuelans, who requested anonymity because of the threat of retaliation.

more
https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/world-news/pro-maduro-motorcycle-gang-colectivos-hunting-for-trump-supporters-in-caracas/

This has already become ugly and could get out of control very quickly.

I doubt Trump wants to put boots on the ground, but does he really have any other choice?  I would say if so, then he's going to have to go before Congress?

[DB]

So far it looks to me that Venezuela's thug government will remain unchanged and it will be business as usual.

Apparently, Trump miscalculated the results of removing Maduro.

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2008689123444588739

[libertybele]

So far it looks to me that Venezuela's thug government will remain unchanged and it will be business as usual.

Apparently, Trump miscalculated the results of removing Maduro.

Perhaps. He destabilized the country and the U.S. is getting its oil, but what comes next?

[mountaineer]

Venezuela's new president has been talking to the U.S. for the past year, laying the groundwork for Maduro's departure, according to Jesse Watters tonight. Maybe it isn't quite the miscalculation you think.

[Wingnut]

So far it looks to me that Venezuela's thug government will remain unchanged and it will be business as usual.

Apparently, Trump miscalculated the results of removing Maduro.

Says you.   Does anyone really know?   I don't think so.  Best to just to STFU. 

[libertybele]

Venezuela's new president has been talking to the U.S. for the past year, laying the groundwork for Maduro's departure, according to Jesse Watters tonight. Maybe it isn't quite the miscalculation you think.

Good to know!

[mountaineer]

I'll try to track down the actual report to make sure it's as I recall. She may also be a leftist,  but perhaps she's more pragmatic and less aggressive than Maduro.

[Sighlass]

https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2008689123444588739

Or you could replace the oil reserves that Biden depleted and has not been replaced yet. (on the cheap too). 

[txradioguy]

 Pro-Maduro motorcycle gang thugs hunting for Trump supporters in Caracas days after dictator’s capture: ‘Very tense’
By Caitlin Doornbos and
Patrick Reilly   
Published Jan. 6, 2026
Updated Jan. 6, 2026, 3:28 p.m. ET

Gangs of armed pro-regime militants on motorbikes have taken over the streets of Caracas, hunting down Venezuelans who support the US’s audacious capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, according to videos and on-the-ground accounts shared with The Post and multiple reports.

The masked thugs, known as Colectivos, holding Russian automatic weapons, brought rush hour traffic to a grinding halt in the Venezuelan capital, stopping drivers at checkpoints and demanding to search their phones and cars, four sources in Venezuela confirmed Monday and Tuesday.

The troubled circumstances have residents on edge over what will happen next, said the Venezuelans, who requested anonymity because of the threat of retaliation.

more
https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/world-news/pro-maduro-motorcycle-gang-colectivos-hunting-for-trump-supporters-in-caracas/

Maduro's "Colectivos"...the Venezuelan version of ANTIFA and the group that kept Maduro in power by intimidating and murdering anyone who was deemed to be in the opposition.  Saw a post on X the other day that they murdered a man for being in the "wrong" WhatsApp group...that he didn't even know he was in.

[DB]

Says you.   Does anyone really know?   I don't think so.  Best to just to STFU.

So, they are killing people and are the only ones with weapons...

How are they going to be stopped?

[rangerrebew]

Judge Cuts Off Ousted Venezuelan Dictator Maduro As He Tries To Defend Himself In Court
 
Katelynn Richardson
Investigative Reporter
January 05, 2026
 
The federal judge overseeing Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s case cut off the ousted leader as he tried to defend himself in court on Monday, according to several reports.

Both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in Manhattan.

“I am the president of Venezuela, I was captured at my home in Caracas Venezuela,” Maduro told the judge when asked to identify himself, according to NBC News.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, interrupted Maduro to say he was only asking for his identity, noting “there will be time and place to get into all of this,” according to the New York Times.

https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/05/judge-cuts-off-ousted-venezuelan-dictator-maduro-as-he-tries-to-defend-himself-in-court/

[rangerrebew]

You don't suppose his defense will be that God him/herself (don't want to offend any liberals who may see this) sent an epiphany to Maduro and now he sees how wonderful the American system of government is and plans to be a good boy if returned to Venezuela and sing the praises of democracy?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Or you could replace the oil reserves that Biden depleted and has not been replaced yet. (on the cheap too). 

IMHO, that is exactly what will be done.

[Polly Ticks]

Or you could replace the oil reserves that Biden depleted and has not been replaced yet. (on the cheap too). 

I had that same thought.  Hopefully at least some of it will be used for this purpose.

[libertybele]

Maduro's "Colectivos"...the Venezuelan version of ANTIFA and the group that kept Maduro in power by intimidating and murdering anyone who was deemed to be in the opposition.  Saw a post on X the other day that they murdered a man for being in the "wrong" WhatsApp group...that he didn't even know he was in.

Regardless if Trump has been in contact with who is taking over in the interim -- people are being killed and the thugs are now running amuck and who is going to rein them in??

[txradioguy]

Regardless if Trump has been in contact with who is taking over in the interim -- people are being killed and the thugs are now running amuck and who is going to rein them in??

They are Maduro loyalists doing the killing and running amuck...unless the Interim president reels them in no one will.


Oh and the chaos courtesy of the Colectivos was going on long before this last weekend.

[Lando Lincoln]

Or you could replace the oil reserves that Biden depleted and has not been replaced yet. (on the cheap too). 

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in, but Venezuelan crude is sour with high levels of sulphur. I’m not sure if it is the first choice for the strategic reserve.

[DCPatriot]

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in, but Venezuelan crude is sour with high levels of sulphur. I’m not sure if it is the first choice for the strategic reserve.

Exactly what I was thinking...why put that crap in storage as our "reserves"?

[Wingnut]

Exactly what I was thinking...why put that crap in storage as our "reserves"?

I did a quick dive into the SPR.  It holds a mix of Sweet and Sour crude.  Currently about 2/3 more Sweet.

[verga]

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in, but Venezuelan crude is sour with high levels of sulphur. I’m not sure if it is the first choice for the strategic reserve.

It might be a way to tide us over until we can replace it with the sweet.

[Bigun]

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in, but Venezuelan crude is sour with high levels of sulphur. I’m not sure if it is the first choice for the strategic reserve.

The strategic reserve is located near Freeport, Texas and most gulf coast refiners are equipped to handle heavy, sour crude.  For those reasons, I personally would be fine with Venezuelan crude in the strategic reserve. (My cousin's husband runs the SPR so I can pursue the issue in detail with him if necessary.) @Lando Lincoln 

[Lando Lincoln]

The strategic reserve is located near Freeport, Texas and most gulf coast refiners are equipped to handle heavy, sour crude.  For those reasons, I personally would be fine with Venezuelan crude in the strategic reserve. (My cousin's husband runs the SPR so I can pursue the issue in detail with him if necessary.) @Lando Lincoln 

Thanks @Bigun.  Perhaps, as always, the main obstacle would be political. You know, the “Orange Man Bad” syndrome.

[mountaineer]

The United States has seized two “ghost fleet” tanker ships including a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela following a multi-week long pursuit. ... “One of these tankers, Motor Tanker Bella I, has been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice.”

https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2008913694261231792

[mountaineer]

Venezuela's new president has been talking to the U.S. for the past year, laying the groundwork for Maduro's departure, according to Jesse Watters tonight. Maybe it isn't quite the miscalculation you think.

https://www.fox.com/watch/clip/fmc-a1p9kzmgzrmrybce/venezuelan-vp-backstabbed-maduro-cooperating-with-us

[DCPatriot]

Earlier this week when Greg Gutfeld was expounding on the assorted opinions on Maduro's capture voiced by personalities in the Legacy Media...

...he referred to Rachel Maddow as "LEZBOLLAH" 

His audience 'screamed' laughter

[Bigun]

Thanks @Bigun.  Perhaps, as always, the main obstacle would be political. You know, the “Orange Man Bad” syndrome.

 

[Polly Ticks]

The strategic reserve is located near Freeport, Texas and most gulf coast refiners are equipped to handle heavy, sour crude.  For those reasons, I personally would be fine with Venezuelan crude in the strategic reserve. (My cousin's husband runs the SPR so I can pursue the issue in detail with him if necessary.) @Lando Lincoln 

Interesting. I have no idea about sour vs sweet oil, but whatever works, I guess.

Also, @Bigun , it appears that you know everybody.  I'm going to try to stay on your good side! 

[Bigun]

Interesting. I have no idea about sour vs sweet oil, but whatever works, I guess.

Also, @Bigun , it appears that you know everybody.  I'm going to try to stay on your good side! 

77 trips around the sun and many years in an industry = many acquaintances. @Polly Ticks

(You are always on my good side!) 

[Wingnut]

77 trips around the sun and many years in an industry = many acquaintances. @Polly Ticks

(You are always on my good side!) 

You had me way back in the beginning when you made me spit coffee all over my keyboard with the line about a prostate the size of a grapefruit.

[Free Vulcan]

Regardless if Trump has been in contact with who is taking over in the interim -- people are being killed and the thugs are now running amuck and who is going to rein them in??

We need to avoid another Iraq right out our backdoor. Put the rightful winner of the election in leadership and call for an election, which we provide  security for and wipe out these fools as they come at us.

[Bigun]

You had me way back in the beginning when you made me spit coffee all over my keyboard with the line about a prostate the size of a grapefruit.

That was @DCPatriot but I can relate! @Wingnut 

[DCPatriot]

That was @DCPatriot but I can relate! @Wingnut 

 

[Bigun]

For general information: Sour crude = high H2S and CO2 content. Both of which are very bad actors in the production of crude oil. Sweet means the general absence of those two thing.

[Lando Lincoln]

For general information: Sour crude = high H2S and CO2 content. Both of which are very bad actors in the production of crude oil. Sweet means the general absence of those two thing.

 

Yes and for long-term storage such things as acidity, sediment and water content are factors. Sour crude is generally high in all of those.

[Bigun]

Yes and for long-term storage such things as acidity, sediment and water content are factors. Sour crude is generally high in all of those.

Which is why the depleted salt domes SPR uses for underground storage are ideal.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

They are Maduro loyalists doing the killing and running amuck...unless the Interim president reels them in no one will.

Exactly the same happens in every third world cesspool around the globe:  Who will rein them in if the government doesn't?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in, but Venezuelan crude is sour with high levels of sulphur. I’m not sure if it is the first choice for the strategic reserve.

Yes it is of poor quality and not as desirable as WTI or Brent or Bonny Light, but many of the refineries along the Gulf Coast were reconfigured years ago (at great cost) for processing this type of crude.

It is in fact desirable for those refineries.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

It might be a way to tide us over until we can replace it with the sweet.

Won't happen.  We will never get access to that level of high quality crude.

[Wingnut]

That was @DCPatriot but I can relate! @Wingnut 

Oh yeah.  You are correct it was DC.  But I still l love you man!

[Right_in_Virginia]

Zohran Mamdani is cornered and forced to admit that he has no security clearance and was not “briefed” on arrest of Maduro.

Someone on his team opened X and read a couple of tweets to him. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ngeD5N0oEM— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 6, 2026

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Mobs of motorcycle-riding armed militia hunt Venezuelan streets for Trump supporters as crackdown intensifies

https://www.foxnews.com/world/mobs-motorcycle-riding-armed-militia-hunt-venezuelan-streets-trump-supporters-crackdown-intensifies

[BobfromWB]

Venezuela's new president has been talking to the U.S. for the past year, laying the groundwork for Maduro's departure, according to Jesse Watters tonight. Maybe it isn't quite the miscalculation you think.

Venezuela's new President is as bad as the man she replaced - very hard core socialist/communist. 47 knew all of that going in. I would not rely of Watters for the most accurate info - he's a 47 cheer leader.

[BobfromWB]

IMHO, that is exactly what will be done.

Might not be so easy, There was a report yesterday that the salt caverns are in bad shape and the rapid Biden drawdown hurt them even more.

[libertybele]

Venezuela's new President is as bad as the man she replaced - very hard core socialist/communist. 47 knew all of that going in. I would not rely of Watters for the most accurate info - he's a 47 cheer leader.

Ok ... but certainly Rubio and Trump must have had a plan for the next steps for the country after Maduro was removed...otherwise they are taking our oil back and letting the Venezuelans fend for themselves??  The only comment that I've heard from Trump is that he's going to sell the oil and be the one to handle the money.

[BobfromWB]

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in, but Venezuelan crude is sour with high levels of sulphur. I’m not sure if it is the first choice for the strategic reserve.

Does anyone know if the caverns are filled with sweet of heavy crude, and will mixing them make any difference? Seems to me, the light would float on top of the heavy so it would just be a matter of which pipe is used to pump to oil.

[BobfromWB]

It might be a way to tide us over until we can replace it with the sweet.

Except the refineries around the Gulf and maybe elsewhere were built to refine Venezuelan heavy crude.