In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**:
**US Captures**
**Maduro**
**Venezuela Raid**
**Latest Updates**
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Coming to you today from [location to be filled by owner].
### What’s in the News
1. **US to run Venezuela until transition complete**
- Trump states the US will govern Venezuela for as long as needed to ensure a “safe, proper, and judicious transition.”
- No chance for others to take over – US will prevent repeat of previous situation.
- Emphasizes unmatched US capability – “nobody can stop us.”
2. **Big US oil companies to rebuild and extract**
- Largest American oil firms will invest billions to fix broken infrastructure.
- Goal: Ramp up production from low levels to full potential.
- Extends to rare earth minerals and gold – Venezuela resource-rich.
3. **Warnings to regional countries**
- Trump warns Cuba, Mexico, Colombia they could be next if they threaten US security.
- Frames Western Hemisphere as US domain – no tolerance for threats.
4. **No discussions with Russia or Putin**
- Operation not coordinated with Russia.
- Trump disappointed in Putin over Ukraine war – calls it “primitive” and “horrible.”
5. **Mockery of China and Russia**
- Claims China won’t be upset – they’ll get oil access.
- Operation seen as humiliating for both, with Chinese diplomats recently signing deals in Venezuela – question if they got out safely before the raid.
6. **Lindsey Graham on broader message**
- Graham says action sends signal to Iran, Russia, China – “don’t mess with us or we’ll take you out.”
- Positions as deterrent against global adversaries.
7. **International reactions and protests**
- Protests worldwide against US actions (some supportive in places like Argentina).
- European leaders give muted responses – no strong condemnation.
8. **Commentary on international law**
- US action lacks UN mandate – loses moral ground compared to Ukraine criticism.
- Seen as violation of sovereignty while condemning others for similar.
9. **Distances make intervention tough for China and Russia**
- Closest straight-line distance from China to Venezuela: ~13,000 km.
- From Russia: ~9,000 km – both far outside reliable military power projection without regional bases.
- No significant forces or infrastructure in South America to support rapid response.
10. **Arming Venezuela – why it’s a moot point**
- Power disparity huge: US military capability vastly superior.
- Even advanced systems from China/Russia would require years of training/integration.
- Risk: New government could hand over equipment to US.
11. **Geopolitics boils down to raw power realities**
- Not about feelings – demonstration of hard/soft power on the ground matters.
- China/Russia focus on core spheres where projection is feasible.
- South America remains US “backyard” under Monroe Doctrine.
12. **How dangerous for the US?**
- Quagmire potential: Venezuela’s terrain and armed groups could fuel prolonged resistance.
- Regional isolation: Alienates Latin America, boosts anti-US sentiment.
- BRICS narrative win: “US hypocrisy” amplifies multipolar messaging.
- Domestic: Messy fallout risks midterm backlash; military overstretch.
OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, it means the Maduro capture – invoking Monroe Doctrine – is a high-stakes gamble that could ignite backlash, give BRICS propaganda gold, and test alliances everywhere. Bold move with massive risks.
1. If the US can grab leaders with impunity, what’s stopping Russia or China from targeting Western officials next?
2. Why scream “illegal aggression” over Ukraine but go silent when America invades Venezuela – is sovereignty only for some?
3. Has the “rules-based order” just been exposed as “US rules when convenient” – and is the multipolar backlash coming fast?
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