Re: Understanding the US - Again
Posted: 05 Jan 2026 18:21
Kamala Harris likely would have done the "inform Congress" route; but who knows?
Consortium of Indian Defence Websites
https://forums.bharat-rakshak.com/
Maybe a few select committees filled with neoliberals & neocons, at the moment it was happening. Maybe not like the OBL case. In any case POTUS is way too imperial as congress has abandoned its role as a coequal branch of government.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/2008 ... =topunrollThe Real Story behind US taking over Venezuela (Expose)
Starboy Exclusive
US capture of Venezuela's President Maduro on January 3, 2026, was a final move in a hidden game
Let's unravel this mystery, dot by dot, with real events. Stay sharp, the truth is in the connections
Grok Fact checkThe thread presents a conspiracy narrative alleging that US billionaire Paul Singer, through his Elliott Management's Amber Energy, orchestrated the November 2025 auction win of CITGO's parent company for $5.9 billion, followed by the January 3, 2026, US military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, to seize control of Venezuela's heavy oil reserves, with pro-Israel lobbying via AIPAC and Trump donations as the connective force.
Confirmed facts include the Delaware court's approval of Amber Energy's bid to resolve $60 billion in Venezuelan bond defaults, Singer's $7 million+ contributions to Trump-aligned PACs in 2024, and the US operation that renditioned Maduro to face federal charges, amid Trump's "Trump Corollary" announcement for interim US management of Venezuelan oil.
Venezuela's PDVSA-owned CITGO refineries, specialized for heavy crude, represent 10% of US refining capacity per EIA data, making their control strategically vital; Maduro's 2009 severance of Israel ties and alliances with Iran/Palestine provide geopolitical friction, though peer-reviewed analyses like those in Foreign Affairs highlight economic sanctions as primary drivers over singular lobbying influence.
Facts Confirmed in the Thread
The thread accurately describes several verifiable events and relationships based on public records, court documents, and news reports. Here's a breakdown: Paul Singer's Background and Elliott Management: Singer is a billionaire hedge fund manager who founded Elliott Management in 1977. By 2025, it managed around $76 billion and is known for "vulture fund" strategies, buying distressed debt from defaulting countries and pursuing legal action for payouts. Examples include Elliott's litigation against Argentina, which settled for $2.4 billion in 2016 after seizing assets like a naval ship in Ghana.
Singer's Ties to Pro-Israel Groups: Singer has donated significantly to AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and other pro-Israel causes, including $1 million to AIPAC in 2018 and founding Start-Up Nation Central in 2013 to promote Israeli tech. He's described as having Zionist ties and influencing U.S. policy favoring Israel.
AIPAC's Influence on Trump and 2024 Elections: AIPAC, supported by donors like Singer, spent over $100 million in 2024 to back pro-Israel candidates. Major donors such as Miriam Adelson contributed $120 million to Trump-aligned efforts. Singer personally donated at least $7 million to Trump PACs in 2024, including to Republican causes.
Venezuela's Oil and PDVSA/CITGO: Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, much of it heavy crude that requires specialized refineries. PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.) is the state-owned oil company, and CITGO is its U.S. subsidiary based in Texas. CITGO's refineries (in Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois) have a combined capacity of about 807,000 barrels per day (bpd), optimized for heavy oil processing. This represents roughly 4.5% of total U.S. refining capacity (U.S. total is around 18 million bpd), not 10% as sometimes claimed, though it's strategically vital for heavy crude imports.
Venezuela's Default and CITGO Auction: In 2017, Venezuela defaulted on $60 billion in bonds amid sanctions and mismanagement. A Delaware court ordered the auction of PDV Holding (CITGO's parent) in 2023 to repay creditors. Elliott's affiliate, Amber Energy, won with a $5.89 billion bid in November 2025 (approved November 29), including $2.1 billion to bondholders. This was lower than some bids but selected for certainty of closing.
U.S. Sanctions and Maduro's Capture: Trump imposed heavy sanctions on Venezuela during his first term, exacerbating PDVSA's collapse. On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces conducted strikes and captured Maduro and his wife, rendering them to New York for federal drug-trafficking charges. Trump announced the "Trump Corollary" (an extension of the Monroe Doctrine), asserting U.S. management of Venezuela's oil resources "until a safe transition," including returning U.S. oil companies.
Venezuela's Geopolitical Stance: Maduro severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 over Gaza operations, accused "Zionists" of global plots in 2014, and allied with Iran and Palestine. Venezuela's acting leader post-capture described the U.S. operation as having a "Zionist tint."
Fiction, Exaggerations, and Unsubstantiated Claims
The thread weaves these facts into a grand conspiracy narrative, but several elements lack evidence or are speculative: Orchestrated Plot by Singer via AIPAC/Trump for Oil Seizure: No direct evidence links Singer's donations or AIPAC lobbying specifically to the Maduro capture or CITGO auction as a premeditated scheme. The auction was a legal process stemming from Venezuela's 2017 default and court orders, not a bespoke plot. Sanctions were driven by broader U.S. policy on human rights, drugs, and elections, not singularly by Singer. While Singer benefits financially (a "windfall"), articles note the timing raises eyebrows but stop short of proving causation.
Zionist Revenge Motive: Maduro's anti-Israel stance is real, but framing the capture as AIPAC/Singer punishing an "anti-Zionist state" is unsubstantiated. U.S. actions cite drug trafficking, election fraud, and terrorism ties (e.g., to Iran/Hezbollah), not explicitly Israel. Venezuela's acting leader's "Zionist tint" comment is rhetorical, not proof. clevelandjewishnews.com +3
CITGO's Strategic Overstatement: CITGO is valuable for heavy oil, but the thread exaggerates its indispensability ("without CITGO, Venezuelan oil has very limited value"). Other refineries can handle heavy crude, and CITGO's U.S. share is ~4.5%, not implied dominance.
Staged or Cooperative Capture Theories: X posts speculate Maduro was "flipped" by Trump, staged the capture for protection from cartels, or surrendered evidence on U.S. elections/drugs in exchange for amnesty. These are unproven; official reports describe a real military operation with strikes and rendition.
However, some align with reports of pre-capture talks.
How Close to the Truth?
The thread is about 60-70% rooted in verifiable facts—the players, events, and timelines are real, and Singer undeniably benefits from the CITGO sale and Maduro's ouster. It highlights genuine connections (donations, sanctions, oil stakes) that could suggest opportunism or influence. However, it veers into fiction by assuming a coordinated conspiracy driven by Zionist motives and direct causation (e.g., donations buying the capture). Independent analyses frame this as economic opportunism amid long-standing U.S.-Venezuela tensions, not a Singer-masterminded plot.
The "Trump Corollary" signals aggressive U.S. policy, but evidence points to broader geopolitical goals (countering China/Russia/Iran influence) over personal gain for one donor.
It's a compelling narrative that amplifies coincidences into causation, making it "closer to truth" in spotting alignments but not in proving intent.
IEA Oil Market Report December 2025world oil demand is forecast to increase by 830 kb/d this year and 860 kb/d in 2026.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/wor ... 357726.cms
Rudradev wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 01:12
Look at this guy. Posing all chummy with the "DEA" soldiers who arrested him. All smiles and giving a thumbs-up. Apparently he was very relaxed, jovial and wished all the staff at the processing center "Happy New Year".
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTG_Zv7ESTZ/
This is not a guy who was jolted out of his bedroom and renditioned unexpectedly, like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. He knew what to expect and looks happy, if not relieved, that all went according to plan.
Much is black in the lentils here.
Gork said the same - Florida and Chile.drnayar wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 01:35 A viral video claimed to show Venezuelans celebrating Nicolás Maduro’s capture, but the footage was filmed in Miami, not Venezuela. Nick Shirley shared the clip and later corrected himself after a Community Note appeared. Journalists and users criticized the false claim.
What is the reason to conflate drone strikes, disposal of Osama bin Laden, and kidnapping a head of state? How does one provide a data point for the other?
As expected. It's the same drama with these players..drnayar wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 01:35https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/wor ... 357726.cms
A viral video claimed to show Venezuelans celebrating Nicolás Maduro’s capture, but the footage was filmed in Miami, not Venezuela. Nick Shirley shared the clip and later corrected himself after a Community Note appeared. Journalists and users criticized the false claim.
Amberji.. there are thoughts around freemasons magic and hidden occult signs present in the American foundations esp it's currency but karma is karma. One can prolong but it can't be denied.Amber G. wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 06:14 Interesting stat:
In 1992, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 1996, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2000, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2004 ,US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2016, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2024, US Elected a president born in 1946!
Maduro was not recognized as the HoS by either the Trump I/II administrations or the Biden administration. I also quoted the relevant article from The Hill and Wikipedia pages in previous posts of mine.
Let this be a learning opportunity for people who keep posting “AI” summaries. It’s not unprecedented and has happened a few times. Panama comes to mind.Amber G. wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 06:57 I have seen some interesting comments about AI (trusting or not ) here so sharing..
When asked ChatGPT about details about Venezuela on Saturday, and its reaction in India - it not only didn't recognize it happened, but it thought it was preposterous to even *ask* ..
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Chetakji.. countries that lose their culture and identity loses it all. They will be relegated to the dustbin of historychetak wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 10:47 If trump goes for greenland, NATO and europe are both dead in the water, with the russian bear licking its chops, virtually next door, the freeloading eurotrash are staring at a very uncertain future.
do they stick their collective necks out and risk getting it chopped off or do they offer their collective glutei maximi to encourage and comfort trump in his take over of greenland, if push came to shove
drnayar wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 12:53Chetakji.. countries that lose their culture and identity loses it all. They will be relegated to the dustbin of historychetak wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 10:47 If trump goes for greenland, NATO and europe are both dead in the water, with the russian bear licking its chops, virtually next door, the freeloading eurotrash are staring at a very uncertain future.
do they stick their collective necks out and risk getting it chopped off or do they offer their collective glutei maximi to encourage and comfort trump in his take over of greenland, if push came to shove
UK , France and Germany are half way there and most of western Europe
While Trump threatens military action against Greenland, a quieter takeover is already happening. This investigation exposes how Ronald Lauder — Trump's billionaire friend, who planted the Greenland idea in 2017 — is systematically buying into Greenland's economy through a Delaware corporation called Greenland Development Partners.
The problem is not the investments. It's his business partners. It's the husband of Greenland's Foreign Minister and other politically connected elites.
WHAT THIS VIDEO REVEALS:
• Ronald Lauder's strategic investments in Greenland Water Bank and Greenland Investment Group
• The shocking conflict of interest: Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt negotiates with the US while her husband Jørgen Wæver Johansen partners with Trump's advisor
• Why Danish experts call this "strategic investment" designed to build American control
• The coordinated strategy: Trump's public threats combined with Lauder's private economic infiltration
• How modern imperialism works through investment funds and corporate partnerships, not military invasion
---
WHY YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS:
Everyone's focused on Trump's provocative statements about buying Greenland, but the REAL story is happening behind closed doors. Based on investigative reporting from Danish newspaper Politiken, this video connects the dots between billionaire influence, political corruption, and geopolitical strategy.
You'll understand:
→ How Trump makes foreign policy through billionaire friends, not diplomats
→ Why Greenland's independence movement is threatened by American economic colonialism
→ The playbook for 21st-century territorial acquisition without military force
→ How small nations get trapped between needing investment and losing sovereignty
→ The stunning conflicts of interest at the highest levels of Greenland's government
This isn't conspiracy theory—it's documented fact backed by public records, expert analysis, and government statements.
If you care about sovereignty, geopolitics, Arctic security, or how power really works in international relations, this investigation is essential viewing.
Jan 6, 2026
While Donald Trump was threatening to make Canada the 51st state, four of America's closest allies just submitted applications to join Europe's exclusive defense program—and the Pentagon is using words like "catastrophic" in classified memos about what this means.
On January 2nd, 2026, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand formally applied to join the European Union's SAFE defense initiative, the same program that admitted Canada as its first non-European member just six weeks ago. According to leaked European Commission documents, all four applications are expected to be approved by March 15th, giving them access to €340 billion in defense financing and production partnerships that completely bypass American systems.
This isn't about trade deals or diplomatic ceremonies.
This is about the systematic construction of a post-American security architecture that could cost US defense contractors $290 billion over the next fifteen years and fundamentally reshape global power distribution.
Timestamp:
0:00 - While Trump Threatened Canada, 4 Allies Made Their Move
1:30 - The Applications Nobody Saw Coming
3:45 - What Australia, Japan, South Korea & New Zealand Offered
6:20 - The Pentagon's "Catastrophic" Assessment
8:50 - Constitutional Crisis: When Alliance Dependence Evaporates
11:40 - Leaked Diplomatic Cables: "Post-Atlantic Security Order"
DISCLAIMER:
This video presents analysis based on publicly available information, leaked documents reported by credible news sources, and expert assessments. All claims are attributed to named sources or documented evidence. Viewer discretion is advised regarding interpretation of geopolitical developments.
vijayk wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 20:49 As we see T's balatkar of Europe, we just have to wait on the side and not react. After USSR demise, Europe sided with a bully and helped them to bring down regimes, create civil unrest, and run propaganda against countries. Now the reckoning is coming ... 24x7 Soros/Clinton/WEF propaganda against India. We still make deals with them to move on trade front but lets hope they all screw each other. No need for any sympathy
In 2025, Europe endured a continental-scale humiliation.
The EU and UK gave in to Donald Trump's tariff extortion - accepting lopsided trade deals, tribute-like payments and adjustments to domestic laws.
At NATO, European leaders grovelled -- calling the US president "daddy" even as he threatened to invade an EU country's territory.
"They call me the president of Europe," Trump bragged.
Terrified of losing US protection from Russia, European leaders have accepted terms that echo the coercion once imposed on China during its 'century of humiliation'.
Yet eurotrash citizens accepted it.
A continent that has lost its way and forgotten its sense of self.
That's exactly what will happen. The trial will be a PR event where maduro after initial resistance will start singing praises about how competent and handsome pedo-donnie is and it was kommie kamala that made him do all this. Once he is sentenced, his team will pledge a few cool billions to donnie as an investment vehicle to trump corp and secures the pardon where pedo-donnie will say what an reformed citizen maduro is and he deserves this pardon. Everyone know this script...Mort Walker wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 02:24
He will claim that Venezuela helped Dems to win 2020 US elections, then Trump will pardon Maduro & wife.
Clinton, Bush and the OM.Amber G. wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026 06:14 Interesting stat:
In 1992, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 1996, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2000, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2004 ,US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2016, US Elected a president born in 1946!
In 2024, US Elected a president born in 1946!