Chinese bullet train in Venezuela stalls as alliance derails

AP ^ | 5-14-16 | JOSHUA GOODMAN

[dynachrome]

It was once billed as a model of socialist fraternity: South America's first high-speed train, powered by Chinese technology, crisscrossing Venezuela to bring development to its backwater plains. Now all but abandoned, it has become a symbol of economic collapse — and a strategic relationship gone adrift.

Where dozens of modern buildings once stood, cattle now graze on grass growing amid the rubble of the project's gutted and vandalized factory. A red arched sign in Chinese and Spanish is all that remains of what until 16 months ago was a bustling complex of 800 workers.

That's when the project's Chinese managers quietly cleared out.

[dynachrome]

Even the Chinese are losing their butts in the chavez/maduro paradise

[dynachrome]

ping.

“Shortly after the last Chinese managers left in January 2015, a mob of local residents — some of them armed — ransacked the site and hauled away everything of value. First to go were power generators, computers and air conditioners on the back of pick-up trucks. Vandals then tore apart dozens of buildings to scavenge for metal siding, copper wiring and ceramic tiles, some of which are now on sale at roadside stalls.”

[BenLurkin]

Post-apocalyptic

[PAR35]

Looking at the picture at the link, I don’t think Joshua knows the meaning of the word ‘arch’. He must have gone to one of those liberal universities.

[headstamp 2]

Looks like China sees an opportunity to form a satellite nation if they can manipulate the opposition party into power.

Meanwhile they are taking it on the chin.

[UCANSEE2]

[SunkenCiv]

• Cindy Sheehan: Hugo Chavez's Legacy Will Continue to Inspire [2016]
• Hugo Chavez's daughter is Venezuela's richest woman-- $4.2 billion [2015]
• Being the ex-President's daughter pays off: Hugo Chavez's daughter is Venezuela's richest woman [2015]
• U.S. intelligence officials fear Venezuelan coup, government crackdown [2016]
• Biography of a Bernie Sanders Failed State [2016]
• Biography of a Bernie Sanders Failed State [2016]
• Venezuela president declares emergency, citing U.S. domestic 'threats' [2016]
• Venezuela president declares emergency, cites U.S., domestic 'threats' [2016]
• U.S. intelligence warns of Venezuela collapse (Socialism) [2016]
• US officials: Venezuelan president's hold on power weakening [2016]
• Venezuela: Countless Wounded after 5,000 Loot Supermarket [2016]
• Who Is to Blame for Venezuela's Collapse? [2016]
• How socialism turned oil-rich Venezuela into a basket case [2016]
• How bad is it in Venezuela? Soldiers are stealing goats [2016]
• Venezuela should be rich. Instead it's becoming a failed state. [2016]
• Venezuela Runs Out of Beer [2016]
• Venezuela top court overrules Congress, grants decree powers [2016]
• Venezuela is on the brink of a complete economic collapse [2016]
• Military vows Maduro support in deepening Venezuela crisis [2016]
• Young socialist hardliner will lead Venezuela's economy [2016]
• Venezuela President Maduro to reshuffle cabinet (Reshuffling Deck Chairs on Titanic?) [2016]
• Venezuela's opposition party wins parliament in a blow to Maduro and Chavismo [2015]
• Venezuela opposition wins parliamentary majority [2015]
• Venezuela opposition claims victory ahead of vote results [2015]
• Even in Chavez's hometown, Venezuela 'revolution' ails before election - "Chavistas destroyed us" [2015]
• Venezuela, Guyana Set to Meet on UN Sidelines on Dispute (Oil discovered) [2015]
• Venezuela's embattled president is acting as if he wants to annex 2/3 (Guyana) shortened [2015]
• Venezuelan Strongman Wants to Seize 2/3 of Neighboring Guyana [2015]
• Venezuelan leader says Colombia plotting his assassination [2015]
• Biden, Venezuela leader discuss improving relations [2015]
  • US: 'Patently false' that Biden conspired against Venezuela [2015]
• Venezuela's Maduro Must Adapt to Survive. He Won't. [2014]
• Venezuela's Maduro to raise minimum wage [2014]
• Maduro announced 30 % wage increase [2014]
• Venezuelan Congress seeks criminal investigation of opposition deputy (Maria Corina Machado) [2014]
• Venezuela President Maduro arrests 'three plotting generals' [2014]
• With Venezuela in a tailspin, Jews opting for 'Plan B' [2014]

[George from New England]

Coming to California in the near future.

[Steely Tom]

I guess Communists gotta make a profit too, just like everyone else.

[blueunicorn6]

“Are they going to come back?”

Yep, as soon as they finish the bridge to Puerto Rico.

[DesertRhino]

Well now THATS just what they needed. A bullet train. so you can go from a poverty city to visit a fever swamp at 260 mph.

How in the HELL did I become the smartest person on earth?

[catnipman]

To paraphrase Seinfeld, apparently socialists know how to START building a bullet train, they just don’t know how to FINISH a bullet train. (Includes socialists in the U.S. too, of course.)

Still, I wonder when Maduro first noticed things weren’t going so hot with the bullet train project? I bet it was when he realized that the team of 20 mules slated to pull the train weren’t gonna be able to get up to bullet speeds.

[Chode]

[batterycommander]

We need the wall now. In the meantime deploy all our southern divisions, if we still have divisions, on the border, make the border an impact area for bombers, artillery, mines and rifle ranges. Otherwise Californica and the border states will become Venezuela.

[batterycommander]

Somebody find some fast mules for the Californica bullet train.

[blam]

Chinese Government to Build 215-MPH Bullet Trains in California

[Popman]

Lots of good info later in the article...

Chinese are aligning with Maduro opposition...

[dynachrome]

Well, why not? Gov. moonbeam and the Chinese are good socialists.

[dynachrome]

“aligning with Maduro opposition.”

Better chance of getting paid, I suppose.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Build the transportation, they will go?
This is putting the cart before the iron horse.