America Is Massing Power Off Venezuela - Good Times Bad Times (The 20s Report)

[TexasTowelie]

Summary: US Military Buildup in the Caribbean Targeting Venezuela
The United States has deployed its largest naval force to the Caribbean since 1989, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and over 10,000 troops. While officially framed as a counter-narcotics operation against "narco-terrorists," the real objective appears to be regime change in Venezuela and the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.

Key Developments

Military Escalation:

• Since September 2nd, US forces have struck 16 vessels, killing 67 people
• Deployment includes F-35 squadrons, Reaper drones, B-52 bombers, and 8 warships
• Old bases like Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico reactivated

Legal Framework:

• Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua gang as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)
• Plans to add "Cartel de los Soles" (allegedly linked to Maduro) to FTO list on November 24th
• This designation allows military force without congressional authorization

Political Context:

• Driven by the "Don Doctrine" (fusion of Donald and Monroe Doctrine) asserting US hemispheric dominance
• Led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Florida Republicans with strong anti-socialist agenda
• Trump's personal vendetta after his failed 2019 attempt to remove Maduro

Possible Scenarios

• Psychological victory - Maduro's inner circle cracks under pressure (unlikely)
• Limited strikes on Venezuelan military targets (most likely)
• Special operations raid to capture/kill Maduro (high-risk)
• Full invasion (would require 50,000-200,000 troops, currently lacks resources)

Contradictions
The policy is internally incoherent: Trump simultaneously threatens military action while renewing Chevron's license to expand oil operations in Venezuela, reflecting competing strategies between ideological regime change and transactional resource security.