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Solar panels, EV's and various technologies that are mainly manufactured in China need rare earths, they would just replace oil as the required ongoing purchase.
China has been going great guns in Africa etc with soft diplomacy to secure supply lines and the BRICS. While dumb ****s like Starmer have done the opposite by recently slashing foreign aid, and leaving Ukraine to the mercy of Trump whims with their rare earths deal instead of Europe stepping up to do the same deal. The 28 billion promised then withdrawn for renewables could also be advancing us further into energy independence instead of pretending the corporations are going to save us.
yeah the regime sees this as business as usual
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6w4y0eq70o
USA will struggle to keep a lid on this and make it look like Venezuela is a 'success story', Miller will get increasingly frantic especially if theres rioting or violence, the Americans have the option of putting money and aid in to help Venezuela open up OR letting the regime use Maduro style oppression and censorship to beat the population into submission and prevent outside media from reporting there.
It could be backfiring spectacularly by the midterms
John Bolton, who’s worked closely with Trump in his previous term, was on channel 4 news earlier.
He said that those looking for any kind of plan or strategy will inevitably be disappointed. He confirmed what we all really know that it’s all just impulsive and done on a whim, like the oversized toddler he is. He won’t have given a second thought as to what happens next.
Literally making it up as he goes along
IMHO yep people overthink Trumps actions, I doubt Trump literally knows what he’s doing next.
I’m expecting more fun and frolics for 2026 as he flexes his military muscle and pushes boundaries a little more.
Hmm. The Americans are boarding a Russian oil tanker.
I thought they were on Russia's side?🤔
Russia has "sent a submarine to protect it"
.
Who knows which thread this goes in. It used to be a Venezuelan tanker but has changed flag. It's empty but wasn't allowed to dock in Venezuela .
John Bolton, who’s worked closely with Trump in his previous term, was on channel 4 news earlier.
He said that those looking for any kind of plan or strategy will inevitably be disappointed. He confirmed what we all really know that it’s all just impulsive and done on a whim, like the oversized toddler he is. He won’t have given a second thought as to what happens next.
Literally making it up as he goes along
IMHO yep people overthink Trumps actions, I doubt Trump literally knows what he’s doing next.
I think it's undue credit to even refer to them as Trumps actions.
Trump is too lazy to do 'president' stuff he just cares about looking like the President. He does a remarkably small amount of 'work' each day but endeavours to spend as much of that work time as possible in front of the cameras.
He allows the people around him to do the governing - but only if they do it in a way that make it look like he's in charge. If people actually doing the governing start to look like they are he sacks them becuase it takes the spotlight off him.
It actually makes me wonder whether theres a strategy in taking advantage of that.
The quandary that other governments face is that if you do anything other than flatter him he just wants to burn everything down. So it makes challenging him or trying to protect your own interests very difficult. I wonder whether theres scope in simply addressing issues (both governmentally but also in the media) not to Trump but to the people who actually really are in charge.
The top of page story this morning for the first time in a long time in the New York Times today didn't have Trump's name or face in it. It was a picture of 'Santa Monica Goebbels' with the headline Stephen Miller offers a strong man view of the world- President Trump’s trusted adviser is casting his hard-right gaze abroad, saying the world must be governed by “force.”
Trump would be absolutely fuming about that - but he wouldn't lash out at Venuzuala or Greenland, or Democrats or the NYT, but at Miller. Up till now Miller has been better than anyone else at whispering in Trump's ear. Trump hates being told anything but Miller has the knack of putting ideas in his head without seeming to explain things to him and for generally keeping his own name and face out of the story. He's maybe just blown it though.
Even negative stories about trump are still stories about trump - its only out of respect for he office that Whitehouse actions are being framed in the media as his actions. But journalistically the questions are being addressed to Trump when he has no really idea whats going on or why - so the questions are asked knowing the answers are valueless. What happens if the story starts being addressed to the people who are actually the authors of the policies?
Not sure which thread this belongs in but the Americans have just seized that
Iranian Venezuealan Russian tanker off the cost of Ireland
stocking up on tinned goods and bottled water on the way home
what is the apropriate gif for this?
Oh shit - where were the Ruski ships ?
Not sure which thread this belongs in but the Americans have just seized that
Iranian Venezuealan Russian tanker off the cost of Ireland
Iceland, not Ireland according to BBC news
>Where are the russian ships
Avoiding the fate of the Moskva, obvs
I do hope Trump hasn't plans to dock the ship in a UK Port ?
Interesting news item. The Venezuelan state-controlled oil company PDVSA is blocked by sanctions from international financial mechanisms and from $$$ trades, but will be "turning over" between 30 and 50 million barrels of "sanctioned oil" to the U.S. The resulting $2bn will be controlled by President Trump, "that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America".
Tweaking sanction terms will be needed. Does this mean that the $2bn will literally be controlled by Trump and not by the US Congress?
HOUSTON/WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Caracas and Washington have reached a deal to export up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude to the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, a flagship negotiation that would divert supplies from China while helping Venezuela avoid deeper oil production cuts."
"Venezuela will be "turning over" between 30 and 50 million barrels of "sanctioned oil" to the U.S., Trump said in a social media post.
"This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!," he added. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/venezuela-us-talks-export-venezuelan-oil-us-sources-say-2026-01-06/
A ship loaded with barrels full of oil, eh?
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/06/business/venezuela-turning-over-oil-trump
yeah Trump's meeting with the oil execs he wanted to encourage to spend $bns in Venezuela already didnt go too well
thanks s wont make them any more likely
https://bsky.app/profile/chadbourn.bsky.social/post/3mc3xyn5w3k2o
Obviously fake news, as America is now in charge of Venezuela 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
“There are reports of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of US citizenship or support for the United States.”
Surely that refers to Minneapolis, not Venezuela?
Trump also said the regime would be releasing political prisoners, I've not seen any evidence of that?
Trump also said the regime would be releasing political prisoners, I've not seen any evidence of that?
It's been happening for a few days, e.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mkwl2g499o
Venezuela makes sense in a way that "Drill, baby, drill" never did because the US is running out of economic oil reserves,
"The Enverus Intelligence Research report, Shale Decline: The Cost Curve Rebuilds, underscores a key reality—America’s most productive and cost-efficient drilling locations are rapidly depleting, forcing operators into lower-tier acreage that is more expensive and less productive."
"Other plays, such as the Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Haynesville, are not as fortunate. Core inventory in these basins is expected to last only three to five more years, according to EIR. Once that inventory runs out, companies will need to drill in more geologically complex zones—raising costs and reducing returns."
"The U.S. shale boom changed global energy markets by unlocking previously untapped resources with speed and scale. But the next chapter will be defined not by rapid growth, but by strategic optimization, complex geology, and a fundamentally higher cost base." https://www.oklahomaminerals.com/u-s-shale-faces-rising-costs-as-core-inventory-wanes
US refineries employ almost 3mn people throughout the supply chain; 64,500 employees on-site, 1.5mn in support and another 1.3mn providing restaurants, car repairs, etc.
For each job on-site another 45 are employed off-site. https://www.afpm.org/newsroom/blog/supporting-millions-jobs-and-contributing-billions-understanding-economic-impact-us
Oil extraction has a much lower multiplier at 3.5 to 7.
While Venezuela didn't get the rapturous welcome that I think President Trump anticipated, he has given the economy a bit more time, just in time for the mid-terms.
He's also passed legislation to stop the oil extractors claiming $$$ on the 30-50bn barrels of Venezuelan oil that will go into a fund controlled by him
Venezuela makes sense in a way that "Drill, baby, drill" never did because the US is running out of economic oil reserves,
Always makes sense to steal stuff if you’re feeling the pinch.
Venezuela makes sense in a way that "Drill, baby, drill" never did because the US is running out of economic oil reserves,
Always makes sense to steal stuff if you’re feeling the pinch.
Or you could look beyond the superficial and into his extrinsic motivation and who he believes he is
Tim Marshall in The Sunday Times suggested that Trump is actually after the Venezuelan rare earth resources and the oil is just a smokescreen for invading and taking their natural resources for the USA.
is actually after the Venezuelan rare earth resources and the oil is just a smokescreen for invading and taking their natural resources for the USA.
I think the motivation is purely political. I think that there's sections of the American right who've felt Maduro has been a thorn in their sides and that they'd really like to "do something" about it. It's clear that the State Dept and the three letter agencies have been negotiating with other parts of the Maduro Administration that would be more 'amenable' to US needs and interests in the region, and once they realised that there were sections of that administration who also wanted rid of him, the deal's on.
Plus of course, it sends a signal to every other govt in middle and southern America which in of itself is not nothing; and and the end of the day it's probably easy enough to get Trump to agree to anything - He is demented, after all.
I think they did what they did because they could, and they wanted to. Anything after that is sprinkles on top
Tim Marshall in The Sunday Times suggested that Trump is actually after the Venezuelan rare earth resources and the oil is just a smokescreen for invading and taking their natural resources for the USA.
People need to stop trying to ascribe logic or strategic thinking to a senile old man who's grasp on reality is questionable at best.
Well the US oil companies have said NOPE! to Trump. “Uninvestable” was their verdict.
People need to stop trying to ascribe logic or strategic thinking to a senile old man who's grasp on reality is questionable at best.
I disagree. Trump might look "senile" or chaotic (a distraction), but every decisions he made others had no comeback (look at the "seven" small people who couldn't even object for fear of retaliation etc) This is a person who knows how to wield power "effectively" (albeit with deep state "pulling" the string), and he knows he has the "cards". Becoming the President of a superpower is by no means a simple task, even getting there is a major challenge and only those supported by "deep state" can do so. Although Trump will or will not be the President for life, he is a person in hurry to reset the entire system structure. The question that needs to be asked is who is he preparing the groundwork for, assuming he will not be the next President. He knows economically and technologically he is facing intense challenges from the East (China) and the only way is to face up to the challenges, even if it means making unpopular decisions. Two things that are urgent to Trump is to maintain petrol dollar and getting the rare earth, with the former a decision to break the advancement of the "belt and road" (stabilise own economy), and the latter (power) to use it to reinforce his decision. As he said (somewhere in the media but I can't remember now), "you are either with him or you are not" and those that are not will suffer economically (chaos in own country etc). As far as petrol dollar is concerned, the only big buyer is China while the rest of the world is insignificant and will not affect much. As for rare earth production, it will take 20-30 years of intensive loss investments and he knows the only way to do this is to force or put pressure on all his alliance for contribution. If his plan works, then the entire western world or alliance will see an increase in inflation (someone got to pay the bill!). The April meeting with China will be a process to "stall" or to slow down China progression as the counter balance to "West" (US to maintain the hegemon status). Therefore, all the decisions or actions taken so far are to have a "stronger hands". At some point in future, all the major investments (force to invest) will move towards rare earth production.
(my response should be in Trump's thread ... )
Trump might look "senile" or chaotic
He's had either a series of strokes, or a TIA that are showing as frontotemporal-lobe dementia. One of the reasons he's told reporters he's had 3 or 4 MIR scans and keeps 'acing' cognitive tests is that they're the sorts of frequent tests you'd do with someone with this sort of dementia just to keep a track on how its progressing, I note he's started slurping (wet voice) now which may be dysphagia (excess saliva and trouble swallowing) which is another symptom. It's well known he has heart disease (cankles) and I'd bet money he has kidney disease - given his weight and reported diet. They've even had to put permanent signs up pointing out directions to the Oval Office or the West Wing - as if any President wouldn't know where those things are...
The bloke can't walk in a straight line, is clearly sun-downing, and can't stay awake even when he's in a presser.
I'll give him April, maybe May at best before he either departs the white house in a casket or 25th.
bloke can't walk in a straight line
Harsh. I'm just helping get rid of the excess Christmas booze, alright?
JD Vance has less charisma than a pair of three week old gym underwear and, I think, less support by a long way from MAGA nutcases than the orange shitgibbon has.
If TACO does get 25th'd or dies, then MAGA will eat itself before the end of the term. That's not necessarily a good thing, but one can hope that the factions that form can't stand each other and splinter into far right MAGA nutcases and a more moderate GOP somewhere to their left.
The $2bn controlled by President Trump ^^ has started to roll in. Some has been deposited in an account in Qatar
He's protected the money by passing legislation, is this necessary?
"The Trump administration has completed its first Venezuelan oil sale, valued at $500 million, an administration official confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday."
"Semafor first reported the deal, including that revenue from it is being held in bank accounts, including one in Qatar, that are controlled by the U.S. government. "
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5689426-venezuela-oil-sale-trump/
Venezuela is now exporting LPG to the US, oil exports have recovered following the US enforcement of sanctions in the lead up to their attack
First vessel comes after Darcy Rodriguez inked country’s inaugural export deal for LPG
LPG carrier is expected to discharge at Providence, Rhode Island
Oil exports recovered in January
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156251/First-Venezuelan-LPG-export-cargo-departs-for-US
There's movement on investment in Venezuela's oil industry from incumbent Chevron and now Shell,
Chevron and Venezuela's energy authorities have agreed on preliminary terms to expand Chevron's largest oil project, Petropiar, in the vast Orinoco Belt, two of the sources said.
Venezuela's oil ministry, PDVSA and Chevron did not reply to requests for comment.
The deal would give Chevron the rights to produce from the Ayacucho 8 area located south of the Petropiar project area, the two sources added, a large block with proven oil resources. This would allow Chevron to make a substantial increase in the extra-heavy oil it produces and exports.AND
Shell signed preliminary oil and gas agreements with Venezuela last week, when U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum was in Caracas. Venezuela's government did not make public the details of those deals and the fields included.
Reuters has learned from an official summary document of the agreements that Shell aims to develop the Carito and Pirital fields in the coveted Monagas North region in eastern Venezuela. These are among the few areas in the country that can produce light and medium crude and natural gas, prized by oil companies that need it for blending to facilitate exports of Venezuela's heavy oil.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chevron-shell-closing-first-big-oil-production-deals-venezuela-since-us-captured-2026-03-10/