I saw a couple of videos about petrol smuggling, and it is the old story of smugglers equalising the price differential between countries. It has gone on for centuries, and the smuggling of tobacco products into the UK is still rife. I was never sure why petrol prices were so low in Venezuela. It seemed to benefit the rich car owners, and those able to take advantage of volume movements. The cynic in me looks on that as another way to siphon asset values into the hands of the "deep state". Illegal drug profits are another method, and the growth of opiates grew exponentially under Obama and other US presidents. Drug profits are one of the sources of funds for wars and regime change by the banking elite. Handing Venezuela over to Washington will only provide them with more profits as the country is exploited.
Maduro seems to be the lesser of two evils, and I don't know how Venezuela can move out of its current difficulties. Turning it into another Libya isn't the answer. Making it a Chinese or Russian colony may not help either. I believe that the country needs a strong leader to arise from the people, but it seems unlikely that such a leader would be able to stay alive for long enough to make a difference. Perhaps an association with Russia that allows Venezuela to regain some economic stability would work, and a future leader could take it back to becoming an independent country. The first thing required is the removal of the destruction by Washington. It isn't helping the country, and it is turning the world against the US. Perhaps the US can try to gain independence from Washington. That isn't easy, as can be seen from the struggles the UK is having in trying to gain independence from the City of London.
Topic: A "Rich"country totally destroyed by a Dictator (Read 156 times)
With brent crude prices nearing $70 per barrel, I would have expected the Venezuelan economy to do better. But most of that revenue is getting wasted in useless gasoline subsidies. And on top of that the exports have decreased from 2 million barrels per day to just 1.2 million barrels per day. Even then, these 1.2 million barrels are worth some $84 million, or $31 billion per year.
A country dominated by a group of people no more than 20, supported by its Armed Forces with brazen intervention of another Power Nation, is it possible for a whole people to suffer their decisions?
What solution is there when a Petroleum Country, which has gold and precious metals, its people in the Capital (and the whole country in general) suffers from Health and Hunger problems, which many eat of garbage, while it is governed by a Dictator and at the same time by a president elected under the law by a people and not supported by its Armed Forces.
What is happening to politics around the world when we see a country that falls apart in the hands of a person who does not have the slightest idea of what the administration is? How global interests are much stronger than human rights, where the USA, which always classifies it as the worst, is right and is not supported worldwide ... What is the use of the UN? Why be a politician if you will not help? In addition to this, the huge negligence is that it completely extinguishes a country for days, for more than 15 hours without electricity service, and then claim that it is a US Attack with invisible rays? and that everything is a sabotage?
Yes, that country is Venezuela, a country that always opened its doors to people from all over the world to grow and have progress, to be enriched and today, practically alone? Does it make sense to exist and defend a politician with all this happening at the world level?
What solution is there when a Petroleum Country, which has gold and precious metals, its people in the Capital (and the whole country in general) suffers from Health and Hunger problems, which many eat of garbage, while it is governed by a Dictator and at the same time by a president elected under the law by a people and not supported by its Armed Forces.
What is happening to politics around the world when we see a country that falls apart in the hands of a person who does not have the slightest idea of what the administration is? How global interests are much stronger than human rights, where the USA, which always classifies it as the worst, is right and is not supported worldwide ... What is the use of the UN? Why be a politician if you will not help? In addition to this, the huge negligence is that it completely extinguishes a country for days, for more than 15 hours without electricity service, and then claim that it is a US Attack with invisible rays? and that everything is a sabotage?
Yes, that country is Venezuela, a country that always opened its doors to people from all over the world to grow and have progress, to be enriched and today, practically alone? Does it make sense to exist and defend a politician with all this happening at the world level?
venezuela is in a longer downfall than just a dictator, in fact its the collapse and end of christian colonialism, the colonial thrice comming from europe is gone, now its constantly a money printing leader that scams the working population, there is no sustainable growth there at all. wont change anytime soon
I thought that the socialism under Chavez used the receipts from oil sales to reduce homelessness, and to improve the lot of the Venezuelan people, and that it was the big oil companies who didn't like this "misuse" of oil revenues.
This is the United Nations listing of the top opium producing countries.
1 Afghanistan 225,000 hectares
2 Myanmar 58,000 hectares
3 Mexico 15,000 hectares
4 India 12,250 hectares
5 Laos 6,200 hectares
6 Pakistan 2,300 hectares
7 Colombia 298 hectares
8 Iran 100 hectares
Venezuela isn't in that list.
This is the United Nations listing of the top opium producing countries.
1 Afghanistan 225,000 hectares
2 Myanmar 58,000 hectares
3 Mexico 15,000 hectares
4 India 12,250 hectares
5 Laos 6,200 hectares
6 Pakistan 2,300 hectares
7 Colombia 298 hectares
8 Iran 100 hectares
Venezuela isn't in that list.
Venezuela has traditionally been the "road" for drugs, not the main source. Doesn't mean they (gov) are not involved, just that it might not be the main source of illicit income. Thanks to "socialism", fixing the price of everything, especially gasoline even before Chávez (yes, socialism has plagued Venezuela for half a century) there are even more profitable ways.
Everything socialism gives away for "free", gets smuggled out and sold at international prices. You can turn 100 USD into 40.000 USD by trafficking a single gasoline tanker truck. This has been done with ships at sea as well. The military are involved, way deeply involved. You can add drugs as well, since the presidential nephews were caught in Haiti trying to smuggle a large load of cocaine into the US, using a PDVSA plane...
Also you need to get a list for Cocaine and Cannabis, Opium is probably less used in this climate.
If you use "the road", you get to pass several police and military "checkpoints" (and customs). That is a lot of bribe money, to traffic gasoline, drugs, food, medicine; everything that has artificially low prices, even banknotes. Socialism is a corruption machine, people would dedicate their lives to do long lines (or join to the ruling political organization) to get these super cheap nearly free products to resell them ("illegally") to the smugglers who in turn take it out of the country.
But those are the lower tier. If you check what the mid tier officials, or high tier (Generals, Ministers, and their families) are involved in, its disgusting.
The whole thing needs to go, nothing is salvageable from this system. I'd rather we become a colony from a foreign power than keep living like this.
Here is an informative article by the New York Times:
As Venezuelan Economy Unravels, Maduro Opponents Hope Downturn Will Topple Him
I thought that the socialism under Chavez used the receipts from oil sales to reduce homelessness, and to improve the lot of the Venezuelan people, and that it was the big oil companies who didn't like this "misuse" of oil revenues.
This is the United Nations listing of the top opium producing countries.
1 Afghanistan 225,000 hectares
2 Myanmar 58,000 hectares
3 Mexico 15,000 hectares
4 India 12,250 hectares
5 Laos 6,200 hectares
6 Pakistan 2,300 hectares
7 Colombia 298 hectares
8 Iran 100 hectares
Venezuela isn't in that list.
This is the United Nations listing of the top opium producing countries.
1 Afghanistan 225,000 hectares
2 Myanmar 58,000 hectares
3 Mexico 15,000 hectares
4 India 12,250 hectares
5 Laos 6,200 hectares
6 Pakistan 2,300 hectares
7 Colombia 298 hectares
8 Iran 100 hectares
Venezuela isn't in that list.
Well, basically the country was destroyed by socialism and resource curse. That's where everything starts. Then go dictatorship, corruption and drug cartels.
There is one thing that you have to learn: human rights do not exist. Even if some US bureaucrats say something it still doesn't mean that it is true. Do not expect to get any significant help from outside.
There is one thing that you have to learn: human rights do not exist. Even if some US bureaucrats say something it still doesn't mean that it is true. Do not expect to get any significant help from outside.
Well I'm in England, and I can see the actions and regime change operations that emanate from the City of London and Washington. I've tried to discover some of the facts about the situation in a variety of countries, and it is extremely difficult, especially as we live in an era of news suppression and distortion. One of the reasons I started the Fit to Talk English project was to help the "real" people in countries to communicate and help each other. Very often the people living in a country are the ones who know the least about the political background,and the motivations of the manipulators. You only have to look at the Brexit rubbish that is reported and believed by most of the voters in the UK to realise this. There is no argument against the opinion that Venezuela would be far better off if the economic and infrastructure sabotage by the US was stopped. Trying to push the appointment of a George Washington University trained asset stripper is not helping either.
One needs to look at the protesters as well. We know that politicians such as Elliott Abrams have been trying to smuggle weapons and trained saboteurs into Venezuela. They have admitted as much. It is therefore difficult to lay the blame on Maduro in the midst of all the confusion. Maduro does not seem to have been the most capable of leaders, and he seems to take a fairly hard line over many things, but not as hard as leaders in many other countries that are ignored by Washington. The reports from the mainstream media contain inconsistencies and factually incorrect information, and I tend to ignore many of their reports. The reports from the alternative media seem to be more plausible, and are often backed up by real images and reports.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that if Venezuela didn't have the largest oil reserves, and the 2nd largest gold reserves, then Washington would have about as much interest in the people there as they have in the occupants of Columbia, The Yemen, California and other areas with destitution, disease and other problems resulting from oppression that creates poverty.
One needs to look at the protesters as well. We know that politicians such as Elliott Abrams have been trying to smuggle weapons and trained saboteurs into Venezuela. They have admitted as much. It is therefore difficult to lay the blame on Maduro in the midst of all the confusion. Maduro does not seem to have been the most capable of leaders, and he seems to take a fairly hard line over many things, but not as hard as leaders in many other countries that are ignored by Washington. The reports from the mainstream media contain inconsistencies and factually incorrect information, and I tend to ignore many of their reports. The reports from the alternative media seem to be more plausible, and are often backed up by real images and reports.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that if Venezuela didn't have the largest oil reserves, and the 2nd largest gold reserves, then Washington would have about as much interest in the people there as they have in the occupants of Columbia, The Yemen, California and other areas with destitution, disease and other problems resulting from oppression that creates poverty.
I assume the the dictator you refer to is Trump, but in reality it seems that his policy towards Venezuela is forced on him by a congress controlled by the Koch Brothers. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_activities_of_the_Koch_brothers.
Venezuela needs to be allowed to determine its own political future without the predations of the supra-national oil companies.
Venezuela needs to be allowed to determine its own political future without the predations of the supra-national oil companies.
And here i am having deal with blackouts that last hours or days and two weeks without water, having to read Jet Cash absolute nonsense comment.
The country is held hostage by a gang of criminals. Do you want to see Maduro's "protectors" in action Jet Cash? Look, "socialism":
Momento en que colectivos disparan contra manifestantes en Caracas
Remember when i mentioned in another thread that carrying weapons is forbidden and only criminals (or "authorities") can carry them? Well these so called "colectivos", backed by Maduro, go to the streets and shoot people every time there are protests. Yesterday there were lots of protests due to electricity and water failures.
Here, watch these videos from yesterday. Tell me its the Koch brothers, who the hell cares...
These guys are self proclaimed "urban guerrillas", but they are just armed thugs backed by Maduro to do the dirty job, mostly at night, especially during blackouts... Often people throw them bottles and things from an apartment, then they get inside that building and destroy everything and hurt anyone they see inside. There were several incidents like these in 2017 during anti Maduro protests. Of course they love shooting to the buildings, who cares whats inside, and no one stops them. Maduro literally called them yesterday to "pacify the streets"...
But some people here don't seem to get it. The civilian population is unarmed, Why do you think nearly 200 civilians got killed during protests in 2017? Wooden shields and rocks vs shotguns, pistols, and sometimes rifles, yes in the middle of a city. Do you know how long those bullets can go, and how many objects can penetrate before stopping? There is a reason why police is not supposed to carry rifles in an urban environment... (not that it applies to Venezuela's AK103/AK104 armed forces).
Do you live like this under Trump? Give me a break, he will go after 8 years at most. Maduro is already going for 12 years and plans to stay until he dies, just like his predecessor... The people can't take this "socialism" garbage anymore...
A picture taken yesterday at the presidential palace:
Maduro doesn't really live there, but is often there because its considered the "seat of power", very symbolic, considered "untouchable" since 2002 no protests have been allowed near a giant radius around it, well yesterday this was broken by the people living next to it...
Maduro sleeps inside a presidential villa inside a military base known as "Fuerte Tiuna", he and various cabinet ministers live inside that compound complex far from any pesky protesters...
I thought you were talking about France and their Macron King, then I thought it was UK and their useless referendum, then I thought it was USA with Trump wasting the taxes in a fantasy wall, I even thought about Russia and the Putin's accounts in Mossack Fonseca... and you were worried for Venezuela xD
Guaido is negotiating debt and oil in the USA since February, it is in every serious newspaper. The best thing to do is to call to elections directly without letting guaido to sell the country between presidencies.
Guaido is negotiating debt and oil in the USA since February, it is in every serious newspaper. The best thing to do is to call to elections directly without letting guaido to sell the country between presidencies.
I assume the the dictator you refer to is Trump, but in reality it seems that his policy towards Venezuela is forced on him by a congress controlled by the Koch Brothers. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_activities_of_the_Koch_brothers.
Venezuela needs to be allowed to determine its own political future without the predations of the supra-national oil companies.
Venezuela needs to be allowed to determine its own political future without the predations of the supra-national oil companies.
A country dominated by a group of people no more than 20, supported by its Armed Forces with brazen intervention of another Power Nation, is it possible for a whole people to suffer their decisions?
What solution is there when a Petroleum Country, which has gold and precious metals, its people in the Capital (and the whole country in general) suffers from Health and Hunger problems, which many eat of garbage, while it is governed by a Dictator and at the same time by a president elected under the law by a people and not supported by its Armed Forces.
What is happening to politics around the world when we see a country that falls apart in the hands of a person who does not have the slightest idea of what the administration is? How global interests are much stronger than human rights, where the USA, which always classifies it as the worst, is right and is not supported worldwide ... What is the use of the UN? Why be a politician if you will not help? In addition to this, the huge negligence is that it completely extinguishes a country for days, for more than 15 hours without electricity service, and then claim that it is a US Attack with invisible rays? and that everything is a sabotage?
Yes, that country is Venezuela, a country that always opened its doors to people from all over the world to grow and have progress, to be enriched and today, practically alone? Does it make sense to exist and defend a politician with all this happening at the world level?
What solution is there when a Petroleum Country, which has gold and precious metals, its people in the Capital (and the whole country in general) suffers from Health and Hunger problems, which many eat of garbage, while it is governed by a Dictator and at the same time by a president elected under the law by a people and not supported by its Armed Forces.
What is happening to politics around the world when we see a country that falls apart in the hands of a person who does not have the slightest idea of what the administration is? How global interests are much stronger than human rights, where the USA, which always classifies it as the worst, is right and is not supported worldwide ... What is the use of the UN? Why be a politician if you will not help? In addition to this, the huge negligence is that it completely extinguishes a country for days, for more than 15 hours without electricity service, and then claim that it is a US Attack with invisible rays? and that everything is a sabotage?
Yes, that country is Venezuela, a country that always opened its doors to people from all over the world to grow and have progress, to be enriched and today, practically alone? Does it make sense to exist and defend a politician with all this happening at the world level?
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