Venezuelans celebrating their freedom.

X.com ^ | 12:36 PM · Jan 3, 2026 | Lara Logan✓ @laralogan

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Every left-wing Westerner should see this video before commenting on Venezuela:

[CaliGangsta]

THEY ARE DANCING IN THE STREETS now that the dictator has been brought to justice. DONALD J. TRUMP and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA have given them another opportunity for freedom, but it’s on the people of Venezuela to seize the opportunity.

[Dartoid]

Thank you for posting this

[rlmorel]

We aren’t perfect.

But I believe in my heart we are still a force for good in this world.

As long as we don’t stay there long term like we did in Iraq or Afghanistan, I am all for this.

[BenLurkin]

Used to be some good ballplayers came out of Venezuela. A lot of talented infielders.

[rlmorel]

Yes. We can’t stick around and rebuild their country. Unless they give us their oil...:)

[citizen]

Ditto that.

[verum ago]

As long as we don’t stay there long term like we did in Iraq or Afghanistan

We shouldn't have to. Venezuela isn't some artificially-created-by-the-British collection of tribes like the other shitholes we've been involved in recently. It has a coherent national identity. It'll heal itself, with the wildcard exception being how strong the disruptive force of the cartels is. But even then, unlike other places, no one actually thinks the cartels (our opposition) are 'good' or moral. No one actually believes in them. Its people also aren't Muslim (a foreign culture) nor inherently hostile to the US and its people.

All the above said, if we're not out of there in 4-6 months, Trump has screwed up, IMHO. I guess my overall point is that there shouldn't be any 'nation building' here, because there's already a coherent nation.

That said, I'm optimistic about this, but still pretty uncomfortable. I guess we'll see...

[RandallFlagg]

I
Voted
For
This

[ChildOfThe60s]

All the above said, if we're not out of there in 4-6 months

I haven't read too many details (just Jeff Childers this morning), what sort of presence do we have there now? My impression was we grabbed him and hauled ass. If we have anyone there I don't imagine it is for any longer than needed for a new pres to take office.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Never mind. I did a quick read.

[elpadre]

IF the UN was as it should be they could take over and conduct an election. But the UN is controlled by Islam so keep them out.

And then there are the cartels and their influence.

[Carriage Hill]

Ditto!

[xkaydet65]

What do we do if the cartels and Maduro’s militia decide to go into the hills and continue the fight? I hope Trump has made a plan to respond in a way that gets us out of there. Maybe get the newly elected leaders down there to create a peacekeeping force.

[exPBRrat]

Good to see.

[logi_cal869]

I would LOVE to see the Venezuelan flag supplant that uke one...

...but my other hand remains full. /s

[Owen]

That looks like 75 people.

[Owen]

Also, note that the vids of helicopters flying over Caracas show zero anti air defense.

This was not an extraction operation. This was betrayal and then he was turned over.

The VP is in Russia.

[Choppo]

It’s not hard for a group of competent people to turn around VZ. With security and capitalist management, the oil and the money will flow again.

[yelostar]

They aren't going to celebrate when they figure out all of their (fourth-largest global) gold reserves are going...going...gone.

This is a new type of 'collectivism,' a brand new definition: The U.S. collects all the gold, and the Venezuelan people no longer own their country's wealth.

pretext

noun

pre·​text ˈprē-ˌtekst

: a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs