Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
I assume the Venzeulan military is getting some behind the scenes calls to 'encourage' the VP of the country to take a journey out the country right now. Easier to get people to do a palace coup when the king is already absent after all.
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
Hopefully there will be a UN Security council vote and Russia and China will likely vote to condemn the US operation in Venezuela, in which case the UK and France should seize the chance to vote with the US against them to shore up the western alliance again.
I would also advise Zelensky to get Ukraine to vote with the US on any UN General Assembly vote
I honestly think both the UK and France should vote against the US in the Security Council. The Ukraine position is much more complicated because voting for this outrage is not exactly consistent with condemning Russia's illegal invasion of them but they need all the help they can get. They have bigger fish to fry. We don't. We either stand in support of international law or we give up pretending that it means anything.
No, that would be an idiotic thing to do. This is the biggest opportunity to bring Trump back into the western alliance against Russia and China since Trump was elected last year.
If Zelensky has any sense he will also back Trump on this, with the argument that Maduro is a dictator, like his ally Putin, who rigs elections and deserved what he got.
International law can anyway be deemed to be decided by UN votes
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
Of course you can, arrest and deport.
Seriously - you think that if we send a load of bobbies into US airbases to arrest and deport the airmen and soldiers and their families they will just comply? You think Whisky Pete won’t tell them to shoot anyone who tries to do this. You think Trump wouldn’t flip his lid?
You seem to forget that if it has go to this point where Trump seizes a NATO member sovereign to an EU member we have gone through the looking glass and waiving a warrant at a bunch of tooled up US military is not likely to be met well.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
Hopefully there will be a UN Security council vote and Russia and China will likely vote to condemn the US operation in Venezuela, in which case the UK and France should seize the chance to vote with the US against them to shore up the western alliance again.
I would also advise Zelensky to get Ukraine to vote with the US on any UN General Assembly vote
I honestly think both the UK and France should vote against the US in the Security Council. The Ukraine position is much more complicated because voting for this outrage is not exactly consistent with condemning Russia's illegal invasion of them but they need all the help they can get. They have bigger fish to fry. We don't. We either stand in support of international law or we give up pretending that it means anything.
No, that would be an idiotic thing to do. This is the biggest opportunity to bring Trump back into the western alliance against Russia and China since Trump was elected last year.
If Zelensky has any sense he will also back Trump on this, with the argument that Maduro is a dictator, like his ally Putin, who rigs elections and deserved what he got
The idea that Trump considers himself part of, let alone accountable to, "the western alliance" is utterly delusional.
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
The US presence in the UK is pretty much just the USAF stationed on what are legally RAF bases. They cannot stand off an assault by the UK armed forces, and would not be expected to. If asked to leave they almost certainly would, that way they get to take their aircraft and equipment with them.
If they refused we would just roll in some APCs, block the runway and inform them they'll be on a flight back to the US tomorrow. There's no realistic scenario where they could occupy the bases without UK agreement.
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
Hopefully there will be a UN Security council vote and Russia and China will likely vote to condemn the US operation in Venezuela, in which case the UK and France should seize the chance to vote with the US against them to shore up the western alliance again.
I would also advise Zelensky to get Ukraine to vote with the US on any UN General Assembly vote
I honestly think both the UK and France should vote against the US in the Security Council. The Ukraine position is much more complicated because voting for this outrage is not exactly consistent with condemning Russia's illegal invasion of them but they need all the help they can get. They have bigger fish to fry. We don't. We either stand in support of international law or we give up pretending that it means anything.
No, that would be an idiotic thing to do. This is the biggest opportunity to bring Trump back into the western alliance against Russia and China since Trump was elected last year.
If Zelensky has any sense he will also back Trump on this, with the argument that Maduro is a dictator, like his ally Putin, who rigs elections and deserved what he got
The idea that Trump considers himself part of, let alone accountable to, "the western alliance" is utterly delusional.
No but Trump likes his ego being flattered, Zelensky should be tweeting now how 'brilliant and clever President Trump's actions in Venezuala have been'
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
what about honduras mr glenn, what about HONDURAS
Gotta convict them before you can pardon them (for cash)*.
*actually they do pardon people in advance I believe, which is another really weird aspect of the power - I hope ours does not work like theirs.
You can accept a pardon at any point in the US Judicial System, including before charges have even been brought. Nixon did, for example.
Crucially, however, and unlike in this country, if you accept a pardon you also admit you committed the crime you were pardoned for.
One of the most absurd takes from some buffoon called Will Hutton
it’s Brexit. As if we couldn’t find a common view with our partners as we have on other issues.
‘ Starmer can hardly condone what Trump has done in Venezuela, an afront to international law. But to condemn it on our own? Or find a nuanced middle way? The only feasible option is to align with the EU without having any inside voice or influence. Brexit is an unfolding debacle.’
Hutton is an impressive and quite high profile Centrist Economist and former Observer journalist from my side of the fence. I can't argue with anything he writes in that X post.
Hutton isn't an economist. He's an economic journalist and a political activist. Very different. As far as I can see his education in academics economics stopped at undergraduate level, and economics is a profession where you need a graduate degree to have any credibility at all these days - the advanced concepts you need to understand the models which much of modern economics is based on and the econometrics you need to analyse them are just not covered in undergraduate courses. His visiting professorships likely won't have given him those tools or required him to publish serious academic economics work either.
Economics is an ideology. Pick your ideology and base your models on that. Rubbish in. Rubbish out.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
She is speaking more sense than most of the commentators on here.
Russian milbloggers now fret that Moscow’s weapons stockpiles in Venezuela might not only vanish with unpaid loans but suddenly “reappear” in Ukrainian hands.
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
Of course you can, arrest and deport.
Seriously - you think that if we send a load of bobbies into US airbases to arrest and deport the airmen and soldiers and their families they will just comply? You think Whisky Pete won’t tell them to shoot anyone who tries to do this. You think Trump wouldn’t flip his lid?
You seem to forget that if it has go to this point where Trump seizes a NATO member sovereign to an EU member we have gone through the looking glass and waiving a warrant at a bunch of tooled up US military is not likely to be met well.
France and Philippines have told them to leave previously. The US might have the power to take over Greenland, maybe even Canada, but they can't do the whole world.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
She is speaking more sense than most of the commentators on here.
She doesn't have the freedom to comment so is diplomatically saying nothing. Nothing to do speaking sense.
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
That might have had a shred of credibility if Triump had not just pardonned the ex-President of Honduras who was in jail in the US for exactly the same thing ie drug trafficking. I await your explanation with interest but I won't be holding my breath.
Russian milbloggers now fret that Moscow’s weapons stockpiles in Venezuela might not only vanish with unpaid loans but suddenly “reappear” in Ukrainian hands.
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
That might have had a shred of credibility if Triump had not just pardonned the ex-President of Honduras who was in jail in the US for exactly the same thing ie drug trafficking. I await your explanation with interest but I won't be holding my breath.
The two things are entirely consistent because they both establish the principle that the US is the principal.
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
Of course you can, arrest and deport.
Seriously - you think that if we send a load of bobbies into US airbases to arrest and deport the airmen and soldiers and their families they will just comply? You think Whisky Pete won’t tell them to shoot anyone who tries to do this. You think Trump wouldn’t flip his lid?
You seem to forget that if it has go to this point where Trump seizes a NATO member sovereign to an EU member we have gone through the looking glass and waiving a warrant at a bunch of tooled up US military is not likely to be met well.
France and Philippines have told them to leave previously. The US might have the power to take over Greenland, maybe even Canada, but they can't do the whole world.
France and Philippines didn’t tell them to leave under this nutty regime who don’t appear to be big fans of international law, yet alone domestic law. As I said, how do you think Trump, Hegseth and Vance would react if we arrested and deported Us military and their families.
I’m not convinced the reaction would be “well no problem, you have the legal right to do so. Lots of Love x.”
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Nothing wrong with that statement.
It’s a bit more dignified than Ed Davey’s who said while Maduro was bad he was just wittering about Trump. But I guess that plays to his focus groups.
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
Quite. The security 'threat' was having them in the first place. Wanting them to leave and them saying 'No' isn't a threat, it's the threat becoming reality.
We chose to become a US satrapy, without even the rights and protections of being a state. It wasn't presented before the public as an option, it was done by politicians and senior civil servants. We have never had any influence over who the President is or what foreign policy they pursue. Suck it up, because becomjng independent is now not an option for a very long time.
Thanks goodness we escaped the evil clutches of the EU then, eh?
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
Of course you can, arrest and deport.
Seriously - you think that if we send a load of bobbies into US airbases to arrest and deport the airmen and soldiers and their families they will just comply? You think Whisky Pete won’t tell them to shoot anyone who tries to do this. You think Trump wouldn’t flip his lid?
You seem to forget that if it has go to this point where Trump seizes a NATO member sovereign to an EU member we have gone through the looking glass and waiving a warrant at a bunch of tooled up US military is not likely to be met well.
France and Philippines have told them to leave previously. The US might have the power to take over Greenland, maybe even Canada, but they can't do the whole world.
France and Philippines didn’t tell them to leave under this nutty regime who don’t appear to be big fans of international law, yet alone domestic law. As I said, how do you think Trump, Hegseth and Vance would react if we arrested and deported Us military and their families.
I’m not convinced the reaction would be “well no problem, you have the legal right to do so. Lots of Love x.”
I'd guess tariffs, public expressions of disgust and ridicule and maybe more people added to their not welcome in the US list. Not bombs or war.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
Well all the American sites that algorithms direct into my computer are saying there is no difference between this invasion and the Russians invasion of Ukraine. I think they have a point
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
A very long winded way of saying that she doesn't have a fucking clue what is happening.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
She is speaking more sense than most of the commentators on here.
She doesn't have the freedom to comment so is diplomatically saying nothing. Nothing to do speaking sense.
Lot more sense than Davey and to be fair Starmer's response has been measured
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer does not condemn the US strikes on Venezuela "at this stage", saying the facts need to be established. He has not yet spoken to Donald Trump.
The UK prime minister told broadcasters: "I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies.
"As I say, I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.
"But I think at this stage, fast-moving situation. Let's establish the facts, and take it from there."
He added: "And so I will want to talk to the president, I will want to talk to allies. But at the moment, I think we need to establish the facts.
"I think President Trump is doing a press conference later, so hopefully more information will come out then."
As I was saying. The UK is in a weak position and is stuck in an abusive relationship in its only remaining alliance.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
She is speaking more sense than most of the commentators on here.
She doesn't have the freedom to comment so is diplomatically saying nothing. Nothing to do speaking sense.
Lot more sense than Davey and to be fair Starmer's response has been measured
Daley is free to speak as he is never going to be PM or Foreign Secretary and have to negotiate with the US administration. Badenoch and Starmer have little choice but to say little. Certainly it is the safe option for them.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
This sounds completely delusional. Do you think Starmer is going to order the US military to leave Britain?
I think we should start preparing ourselves mentally for doing so so done point in the future. Suppose the US seizes Greenland while Trump repeats statements about Canada becoming the 51st State in the context of the US National Security Strategy seeking to interfere in domestic British politics?
Having US troops on British soil would then constitute a security threat.
Out of interest, and a genuine question, what exactly do we do if they say “no”?
Are we going to send in troops to round them up? Are we going to cut off their power and then shoot down transporters bringing in supplies? Sadly there is absolutely zero we can do if the US has gone that rogue.
We would have to forcibly eject them if they refused to leave, yes. This is why we have to mentally prepare ourselves for taking that step (and also take British defence a bit more seriously in general too).
People have claimed Britain is a vassal state of the US in the past, and similarly of the EU, and it has been hyperbolic rubbish. I would not want it to be actually true, and if it were then the only option is to resist.
I was already convinced that 2026 would be a bloody nightmare, but even I'm surprised how quickly it has got going. I can't see NATO and any sort of Atlantic alliance holding together for much longer. If Trump carries on like this, and he probably will, we will be left with no choice but to cut ties with the US across the board. This year might see the biggest upheaval in international relations and alliances since the end of WW II.
So far as the US is concerned it seems to go in, roughly, 80 years cycles.
1780 - the war of independence and establishment of the republic 1860 - civil war and the development of world's pre-eminent power 1940 - vistory in WW2, cold war and pax americana 2020 - MAGA
I hope you’re not suggesting we have MAGA for 80 years…
Netanyahu has welcomed the capture of Maduro, so after Milei he becomes the second world leader to now openly have backed Trump's actions
Well, he knows on which side his bread is buttered. If Trump removes support he's a goner. He might in fact, after the Israeli elections be done for anyway, but this does keep him afloat for a bit longer.
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer does not condemn the US strikes on Venezuela "at this stage", saying the facts need to be established. He has not yet spoken to Donald Trump.
The UK prime minister told broadcasters: "I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies.
"As I say, I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.
"But I think at this stage, fast-moving situation. Let's establish the facts, and take it from there."
He added: "And so I will want to talk to the president, I will want to talk to allies. But at the moment, I think we need to establish the facts.
"I think President Trump is doing a press conference later, so hopefully more information will come out then."
As I was saying. The UK is in a weak position and is stuck in an abusive relationship in its only remaining alliance.
Your ridiculous hyperbole does you no favours
The whole notion that if only we were part of the EU, we could make the USA cower before our collective might, seems unlikely.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer does not condemn the US strikes on Venezuela "at this stage", saying the facts need to be established. He has not yet spoken to Donald Trump.
The UK prime minister told broadcasters: "I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies.
"As I say, I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.
"But I think at this stage, fast-moving situation. Let's establish the facts, and take it from there."
He added: "And so I will want to talk to the president, I will want to talk to allies. But at the moment, I think we need to establish the facts.
"I think President Trump is doing a press conference later, so hopefully more information will come out then."
As I was saying. The UK is in a weak position and is stuck in an abusive relationship in its only remaining alliance.
An excellent parallel. We are being dragged along by an incontinent donkey and there seems to be bugger all we can do about it
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
That's not "pushing", Taz. That's quoting. It's standard practice to report what a government is saying, regardless of whether you agree with it or like it.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
Well done to SkyNews for noticing that we are now on day three of an amber warning for snow and ice up here in the North East of Scotland. Its been a few years since we have seen such a heavy dump of snow that has made our local roads so impassable in parts of Aberdeenshire and that have also left the council gritters having to concentrate full time on trying to keep the main routes open and passable during the day while local village roads are still heavily impacted with snow despite being gritted a couple of times a day. A big shout out to our local farmers for doing their bit to help in this wintry weather, you know the weather is bad when you can say you have not seen a car on the road after dusk in our patch for 48 hours.
Weather update from New Pitsligo: please make it stop...
I was supposed to be driving from Lincolnshire to Aberdeen on Monday night but have decided to work from home next week
Trump on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum: "The cartels are running Mexico. She's not running Mexico. We could be politically correct and be nice and say, 'Oh, yes, she is.' No no. She's very frightened of the cartels. They're running Mexico. And I've asked her number times, 'Would you like us to take out the cartels?' ... something is gonna have to be done with Mexico"
Trump on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum: "The cartels are running Mexico. She's not running Mexico. We could be politically correct and be nice and say, 'Oh, yes, she is.' No no. She's very frightened of the cartels. They're running Mexico. And I've asked her number times, 'Would you like us to take out the cartels?' ... something is gonna have to be done with Mexico"
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
That's not "pushing", Taz. That's quoting. It's standard practice to report what a government is saying, regardless of whether you agree with it or like it.
Now it's suddenly a bad thing that the BBC is reporting on Iran.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Her opening sentence is correct, but it doesn't seem sensible for the leader of a political party to be so condescending. (Leave that to us!)
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
Well all the American sites that algorithms direct into my computer are saying there is no difference between this invasion and the Russians invasion of Ukraine. I think they have a point
That must be difficult for you. Do you support one of them (if so, which one and why?) , both, or neither?
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer does not condemn the US strikes on Venezuela "at this stage", saying the facts need to be established. He has not yet spoken to Donald Trump.
The UK prime minister told broadcasters: "I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies.
"As I say, I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.
"But I think at this stage, fast-moving situation. Let's establish the facts, and take it from there."
He added: "And so I will want to talk to the president, I will want to talk to allies. But at the moment, I think we need to establish the facts.
"I think President Trump is doing a press conference later, so hopefully more information will come out then."
As I was saying. The UK is in a weak position and is stuck in an abusive relationship in its only remaining alliance.
The whple of Europe is in a weak position, they're just spectators muttering from the sidelines
On Venzuela, for sure. On Ukraine, not so much.
Ukraine is Europe's problem and so far they are just sitting back waiting for Trump to tell them what to do.
That is obviously not true.
Europe is waiting to see how badly Trump betrays them over Ukraine. In the meantime, half of Europe is rearming as quickly as it can. The rest (including us) need to catch up.
Half is a bit of a stretch. I'd make it closer to a third (Poland, Germany, Baltics, Scandinavia).
All of which have experienced various forms of Russian hospitality over the past 80 years.
Anyone focussing on the positives and negatives of this for Venezuela itself is missing the point.
This is the first shot fired in a new era of US imperialism. There is a practically zero percent chance that Trump will stop here after things have (seemingly) gone so smoothly.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
Oleg Deripaska, Russian billionaire: if the US gains control over Venezuela's oil production, the Russian budget will face problems.
"If our American ‘partners’ get their hands on Venezuela’s oil fields (and they have already reached those in Guyana), more than half of the world’s oil reserves will end up under their control," Deripaska wrote.
According to Deripaska, the United States plans to "make sure" that the price of Russian oil "does not rise above $50 per barrel," and such a scenario threatens Russia’s current economic model.
"This means that our so-called sacred state capitalism will find it difficult to keep everything as it is: not cutting costs, not getting rid of non-core assets, and continuing to pursue grand projects without the necessary expertise and without the involvement of private business," Deripaska noted.
Deripaska added that it will also become "harder for the Russian authorities to put pressure on private business," which "starting this year is becoming the main taxpayer to the federal budget."
Difficult to be anything other than positive about the events in Venezuela.
Try harder. How about:
- A world where we depend on the whims of Donald Trump to determine which dictators are deposed and which stay. - Trump bringing down an alleged drug trafficker whilst pardoning another convicted one. - America 'liberating' all that oil from the Venezuelans.
Oleg Deripaska, Russian billionaire: if the US gains control over Venezuela's oil production, the Russian budget will face problems.
"If our American ‘partners’ get their hands on Venezuela’s oil fields (and they have already reached those in Guyana), more than half of the world’s oil reserves will end up under their control," Deripaska wrote.
According to Deripaska, the United States plans to "make sure" that the price of Russian oil "does not rise above $50 per barrel," and such a scenario threatens Russia’s current economic model.
"This means that our so-called sacred state capitalism will find it difficult to keep everything as it is: not cutting costs, not getting rid of non-core assets, and continuing to pursue grand projects without the necessary expertise and without the involvement of private business," Deripaska noted.
Deripaska added that it will also become "harder for the Russian authorities to put pressure on private business," which "starting this year is becoming the main taxpayer to the federal budget."
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Oleg Deripaska, Russian billionaire: if the US gains control over Venezuela's oil production, the Russian budget will face problems.
"If our American ‘partners’ get their hands on Venezuela’s oil fields (and they have already reached those in Guyana), more than half of the world’s oil reserves will end up under their control," Deripaska wrote.
According to Deripaska, the United States plans to "make sure" that the price of Russian oil "does not rise above $50 per barrel," and such a scenario threatens Russia’s current economic model.
"This means that our so-called sacred state capitalism will find it difficult to keep everything as it is: not cutting costs, not getting rid of non-core assets, and continuing to pursue grand projects without the necessary expertise and without the involvement of private business," Deripaska noted.
Deripaska added that it will also become "harder for the Russian authorities to put pressure on private business," which "starting this year is becoming the main taxpayer to the federal budget."
This post also ties into the fears some have in Russia.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
I was literally born in Kent
Thanet or Not Thanet?
AIUI, one is either a Man of Kent or a Kentish Man, depending upon which side of the Medway one was born.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Not a bad fist of it from Kemi.
No, it isn’t.
I don’t see her as ‘hip and trendy’ like dear old HYUFD but she’s certainly had a good end to the year. She’s stopped the rot in her party.
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
That might have had a shred of credibility if Triump had not just pardonned the ex-President of Honduras who was in jail in the US for exactly the same thing ie drug trafficking. I await your explanation with interest but I won't be holding my breath.
Zero credibility, in legal terms.
Vance is basically saying that if the DOJ, with its wildly corrupt leadership, is willing to bring charges against a foreign leader, then that completely bypasses Congressional jurisdiction over declarations of war.
I suppose it is doing us a service for him to state that explicitly.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
Anyone focussing on the positives and negatives of this for Venezuela itself is missing the point.
This is the first shot fired in a new era of US imperialism. There is a practically zero percent chance that Trump will stop here after things have (seemingly) gone so smoothly.
An excellent point which is going over most people’s heads, but not I suspect in the upper echelons of the EU or our govt.
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
Hopefully there will be a UN Security council vote and Russia and China will likely vote to condemn the US operation in Venezuela, in which case the UK and France should seize the chance to vote with the US against them to shore up the western alliance again.
I would also advise Zelensky to get Ukraine to vote with the US on any UN General Assembly vote
I honestly think both the UK and France should vote against the US in the Security Council. The Ukraine position is much more complicated because voting for this outrage is not exactly consistent with condemning Russia's illegal invasion of them but they need all the help they can get. They have bigger fish to fry. We don't. We either stand in support of international law or we give up pretending that it means anything.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
Well all the American sites that algorithms direct into my computer are saying there is no difference between this invasion and the Russians invasion of Ukraine. I think they have a point
That must be difficult for you. Do you support one of them (if so, which one and why?) , both, or neither?
Perhaps unfair on Roger in his instance. My impression is he is opposed to both the Russian and US adventures. And from the opposite end of the political spectrum I agree with him on that.
If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law. https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2007469970364539092
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
That might have had a shred of credibility if Triump had not just pardonned the ex-President of Honduras who was in jail in the US for exactly the same thing ie drug trafficking. I await your explanation with interest but I won't be holding my breath.
Zero credibility, in legal terms.
Vance is basically saying that if the DOJ, with its wildly corrupt leadership, is willing to bring charges against a foreign leader, then that completely bypasses Congressional jurisdiction over declarations of war.
I suppose it is doing us a service for him to state that explicitly.
I don't understand this congressional thing, or for that matter asking Parliament.
Surely, if you need to attack an enemy, you do it secretly, swiftly, violently and without giving notice.
Talking to your legislature blows all that into a cocked hat.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
Well all the American sites that algorithms direct into my computer are saying there is no difference between this invasion and the Russians invasion of Ukraine. I think they have a point
That must be difficult for you. Do you support one of them (if so, which one and why?) , both, or neither?
Perhaps unfair on Roger in his instance. My impression is he is opposed to both the Russian and US adventures. And from the opposite end of the political spectrum I agree with him on that.
Sorry to be petty and domestic about this, but has Nigel Farage issued any statement, or answered any questions, about the USA's actions in Venezuela? I see that Davey has called for Sir Kier to denounce Trump, but that's to be expected.
Has Badenoch commented, or is she just irrelevant nowadays?
'There’s a lot of noise from people who couldn’t find Venezuela on a map yesterday.
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.' https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
Anyone who has played Risk (and who hasn't) knows where Venezuela is.
As an Essex Boy, I doubt HYUFD can find Kent on a map
I was literally born in Kent
Thanet or Not Thanet?
Royal Tunbridge Wells, the only Remain voting council area in Kent or Essex
Any bets on whether Trump will have Maduro paraded through Washington like Vercingetorix?
The year is 2026 CE. Venezuela is entirely occupied by the Americans. Well, not entirely... One small village of indomitable Venezuelans still holds out against the invaders.
Anyone focussing on the positives and negatives of this for Venezuela itself is missing the point.
This is the first shot fired in a new era of US imperialism. There is a practically zero percent chance that Trump will stop here after things have (seemingly) gone so smoothly.
An excellent point which is going over most people’s heads, but not I suspect in the upper echelons of the EU or our govt.
And they are utterly powerless to do anything to control Trump
Russian "Z-bloggers" are very worried about Venezuela and oil prices:
"This is not f***ing funny, you underdeveloped idiots. Soon it won’t even be profitable for us to extract oil. In a couple of months we’ll starve to death. This is checkmate for the entire economy of the underdeveloped traitor Putin. May he die, a real bastard. A talentless, stinking piece of f***ot trash. This is a nightmare for us. They will drop the price of oil below the floor and take over the entire market. Now, on top of everything else, they’ll also have oil. This is a total f***ing disaster. And we’ll be left without internet, drowning in taxes, hugging our f***ing oil. The political leadership of our country needs to be killed. They are inherently insane. And they are traitors. They should be hanged. The Americans have just extended their existence for several more centuries, while ours will end in a month."
One of the most absurd takes from some buffoon called Will Hutton
it’s Brexit. As if we couldn’t find a common view with our partners as we have on other issues.
‘ Starmer can hardly condone what Trump has done in Venezuela, an afront to international law. But to condemn it on our own? Or find a nuanced middle way? The only feasible option is to align with the EU without having any inside voice or influence. Brexit is an unfolding debacle.’
Anyone focussing on the positives and negatives of this for Venezuela itself is missing the point.
This is the first shot fired in a new era of US imperialism. There is a practically zero percent chance that Trump will stop here after things have (seemingly) gone so smoothly.
An excellent point which is going over most people’s heads, but not I suspect in the upper echelons of the EU or our govt.
And they are utterly powerless to do anything to control Trump
So they need to plan accordingly and act accordingly.
An increasingly unreliable USA means we need to do more in Europe, including spending more on defence.
Trump says the US will run Venezuela until a transition can be arranged and they will start pumping the oil, and will make the people of Venezuela "rich, indepedent and safe".
Trump is clearly obsessed by the oil, whatever the actual facts are about its worth (economic or strategic). He's effectively threatening more strikes unless US companies get their hands on it during this press conference.
I think at its core this is just a robbery and abduction, and the drugs and Maduro's despotism is just an excuse for Trump. He doesn't care at all.
Trump: “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can have a safe, proper, transition…so we are going to run the country until we can have a safe…judicious transition.”
So Trump, for the time being, is effectively saying for now he’s also President of Venezuela.
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
So just to make sure I understand:
- foreign presidents are accountable for their actions on US soil - US presidents are immune for their actions on foreign soil
Trump is clearly obsessed by the oil, whatever the actual facts are about its worth (economic or strategic). He's effectively threatening more strikes unless US companies get their hands on it during this press conference.
I think at its core this is just a robbery and abduction, and the drugs and Maduro's despotism is just an excuse for Trump. He doesn't care at all.
Trump: “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can have a safe, proper, transition…so we are going to run the country until we can have a safe…judicious transition.”
So Trump, for the time being, is effectively saying for now he’s also President of Venezuela.
Trump says the US will run Venezuela until a transition can be arranged and they will start pumping the oil, and will make the people of Venezuela "rich, indepedent and safe".
Errr...that means boots on the ground, which he hasn't got, and won't have without Congressional approval.
One of the most absurd takes from some buffoon called Will Hutton
it’s Brexit. As if we couldn’t find a common view with our partners as we have on other issues.
‘ Starmer can hardly condone what Trump has done in Venezuela, an afront to international law. But to condemn it on our own? Or find a nuanced middle way? The only feasible option is to align with the EU without having any inside voice or influence. Brexit is an unfolding debacle.’
Hutton is an impressive and quite high profile Centrist Economist and former Observer journalist from my side of the fence. I can't argue with anything he writes in that X post.
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
That might have had a shred of credibility if Triump had not just pardonned the ex-President of Honduras who was in jail in the US for exactly the same thing ie drug trafficking. I await your explanation with interest but I won't be holding my breath.
Zero credibility, in legal terms.
Vance is basically saying that if the DOJ, with its wildly corrupt leadership, is willing to bring charges against a foreign leader, then that completely bypasses Congressional jurisdiction over declarations of war.
I suppose it is doing us a service for him to state that explicitly.
I don't understand this congressional thing, or for that matter asking Parliament.
Surely, if you need to attack an enemy, you do it secretly, swiftly, violently and without giving notice.
Talking to your legislature blows all that into a cocked hat.
It's been explicit in the US Constitution (Article I, section 8) since the founding of the republic. The founding fathers debated your point at length, and framed the constitution the way they did notwithstanding.
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
So just to make sure I understand:
- foreign presidents are accountable for their actions on US soil - US presidents are immune for their actions on foreign soil
Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.
So just to make sure I understand:
- foreign presidents are accountable for their actions on US soil - US presidents are immune for their actions on foreign soil
It that the basis of US policy now?
US policy is might is right. Stop obstructing might and youll be fine.
Trump says the US will run Venezuela until a transition can be arranged and they will start pumping the oil, and will make the people of Venezuela "rich, indepedent and safe".
Errr...that means boots on the ground, which he hasn't got, and won't have without Congressional approval.
Not necessarily. In the days of the British Empire, the ability to deploy force was often sufficient to allow us to call the shots without occupying a place.
‘ Iran's UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called on the UN Security Council to condemn Trump's statement in letter to the secretary-general and president of the Security Council on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
"Iran will exercise its rights decisively and proportionately. The United States of America bears full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats and any ensuing escalation," he wrote in the letter.’
Hopefully there will be a UN Security council vote and Russia and China will likely vote to condemn the US operation in Venezuela, in which case the UK and France should seize the chance to vote with the US against them to shore up the western alliance again.
I would also advise Zelensky to get Ukraine to vote with the US on any UN General Assembly vote
I honestly think both the UK and France should vote against the US in the Security Council. The Ukraine position is much more complicated because voting for this outrage is not exactly consistent with condemning Russia's illegal invasion of them but they need all the help they can get. They have bigger fish to fry. We don't. We either stand in support of international law or we give up pretending that it means anything.
Option 2 sounds promising.
Maduro lost the last election, what did "international law" do about that?
Comments
This is clearly a fast-moving and extremely serious situation. I am not going to rush to judgement or speculate on incomplete reports.
I’m more interested in what Venezuelans risking their lives for democracy have to say.
The UK’s responsibility is to understand the facts, assess where our national interest lies and consider the consequences for Venezuela’s people and for regional and global stability.
It is not for us to second guess from afar the motives and evidence behind these events. Let’s hear what President Trump has to say shortly. I will also be watching closely what is said by Venezuela’s democratic opposition.'
https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2007469918178959818?s=20
If Zelensky has any sense he will also back Trump on this, with the argument that Maduro is a dictator, like his ally Putin, who rigs elections and deserved what he got.
International law can anyway be deemed to be decided by UN votes
You seem to forget that if it has go to this point where Trump seizes a NATO member sovereign to an EU member we have gone through the looking glass and waiving a warrant at a bunch of tooled up US military is not likely to be met well.
If they refused we would just roll in some APCs, block the runway and inform them they'll be on a flight back to the US tomorrow. There's no realistic scenario where they could occupy the bases without UK agreement.
Crucially, however, and unlike in this country, if you accept a pardon you also admit you committed the crime you were pardoned for.
Pick your ideology and base your models on that.
Rubbish in. Rubbish out.
Russian milbloggers now fret that Moscow’s weapons stockpiles in Venezuela might not only vanish with unpaid loans but suddenly “reappear” in Ukrainian hands.
The Ukrainians don't want the obsolete trash.
I’m not convinced the reaction would be “well no problem, you have the legal right to do so. Lots of Love x.”
It’s a bit more dignified than Ed Davey’s who said while Maduro was bad he was just wittering about Trump. But I guess that plays to his focus groups.
https://x.com/LulaOficial/status/2007436536590012845?s=20
People have claimed Britain is a vassal state of the US in the past, and similarly of the EU, and it has been hyperbolic rubbish. I would not want it to be actually true, and if it were then the only option is to resist.
Trump on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum: "The cartels are running Mexico. She's not running Mexico. We could be politically correct and be nice and say, 'Oh, yes, she is.' No no. She's very frightened of the cartels. They're running Mexico. And I've asked her number times, 'Would you like us to take out the cartels?' ... something is gonna have to be done with Mexico"
This is the first shot fired in a new era of US imperialism. There is a practically zero percent chance that Trump will stop here after things have (seemingly) gone so smoothly.
Oleg Deripaska, Russian billionaire: if the US gains control over Venezuela's oil production, the Russian budget will face problems.
"If our American ‘partners’ get their hands on Venezuela’s oil fields (and they have already reached those in Guyana), more than half of the world’s oil reserves will end up under their control," Deripaska wrote.
According to Deripaska, the United States plans to "make sure" that the price of Russian oil "does not rise above $50 per barrel," and such a scenario threatens Russia’s current economic model.
"This means that our so-called sacred state capitalism will find it difficult to keep everything as it is: not cutting costs, not getting rid of non-core assets, and continuing to pursue grand projects without the necessary expertise and without the involvement of private business," Deripaska noted.
Deripaska added that it will also become "harder for the Russian authorities to put pressure on private business," which "starting this year is becoming the main taxpayer to the federal budget."
- A world where we depend on the whims of Donald Trump to determine which dictators are deposed and which stay.
- Trump bringing down an alleged drug trafficker whilst pardoning another convicted one.
- America 'liberating' all that oil from the Venezuelans.
These things amongst others may be sub-optimal.
https://x.com/gerashchenko_en/status/2007435508767486395?s=61
‘Trump talks tough on Venezuela, but admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro.
As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy.‘
https://x.com/joebiden/status/1274910217508196352?s=61
I don’t see her as ‘hip and trendy’ like dear old HYUFD but she’s certainly had a good end to the year. She’s stopped the rot in her party.
Vance is basically saying that if the DOJ, with its wildly corrupt leadership, is willing to bring charges against a foreign leader, then that completely bypasses Congressional jurisdiction over declarations of war.
I suppose it is doing us a service for him to state that explicitly.
Is there any more news on US casualties from this operation?
If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law.
https://x.com/RepThomasMassie/status/2007469970364539092
Surely, if you need to attack an enemy, you do it secretly, swiftly, violently and without giving notice.
Talking to your legislature blows all that into a cocked hat.
https://report.az/en/other-countries/venezuela-s-vice-president-rodriguez-is-in-moscow
Remembered this today.
If it was done by anyone else, eg Clinton, I think there would be a lot more acceptance of what happened.
An increasingly unreliable USA means we need to do more in Europe, including spending more on defence.
Trump is clearly obsessed by the oil, whatever the actual facts are about its worth (economic or strategic). He's effectively threatening more strikes unless US companies get their hands on it during this press conference.
I think at its core this is just a robbery and abduction, and the drugs and Maduro's despotism is just an excuse for Trump. He doesn't care at all.
@lewis_goodall
Trump: “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can have a safe, proper, transition…so we are going to run the country until we can have a safe…judicious transition.”
So Trump, for the time being, is effectively saying for now he’s also President of Venezuela.
So who gets Biden's $25m bounty for Maduro?
- foreign presidents are accountable for their actions on US soil
- US presidents are immune for their actions on foreign soil
It that the basis of US policy now?
The founding fathers debated your point at length, and framed the constitution the way they did notwithstanding.
Our laws are rather different.
US presidents are immune on US soil as well.
As long as they are a U/s President called Trump.
https://report.az/en/other-countries/fm-ukraine-doesn-t-recognize-maduro-s-legitimacy
Maduro lost the last election, what did "international law" do about that?