Venezuela Oil: US Declares War on 'Narco-Terrorism'

[Alma.Innovadora]

F)Nobody is going to save us.

G) We have chosen these
H) All there are are lessons

meditate on "peace"?

To have control over your emotions and deal with the process of not identifying with what is happening but analyzing it with objectivity and external observation. It can help you. But everything to its own process, everyone has their own rhythm.

Q: (Joe) You know, almost like an anticipation, where you know that something good is going to happen, but you can feel it, but you don't know exactly what it is.

I didn't want to write this because it seemed useless to me but well, as you usually think the same as me when I get carried away by identification, this is what I have observed under this extraordinary experience in which I find myself today:

If Russia and other powers were to act against the US, the destruction is the same and eventually it will be.

It makes me laugh and rage while I see others outside the country who only care that Maduro is no longer the president and they think they are objective and empathetic more than they really are not and in the end they are followers of psychopaths alike. And it is interesting to see people who showed a certain degree of awareness about reality, defend words from people with less awareness just by mentioning 10 words that are on their lists of "words to recognize someone objective/STO".

And on the other hand, a revolutionary government was elected that has lied anyway and gradually also exercised control over the population in a predatory but more flexible way in certain cases to provide a sense of "Freedom" although other aspects of people's lives have not improved and have even been limited by personal interests, as always.

Today the same merchants have dawned taking advantage of the need of the buyers as if they had not been here during the bombing, and the same old military "just following orders"... total social degradation. Nothing has changed in that regard, not even the bombs have changed them!.

So if someone thinks that the solution is to eliminate only psychopathic politicians, what about the population who are their followers? once again, eradication and the end of the world.

In this sense, it is not enough to see only politicians as the sole creators of chaos but also society as its sustenance. It seems that this is not enough suffering.

They are not fighting for any peace or democracy or developed country or that nonsense to which they have molded us, they just want a collinear government that gives them the materialistic pleasures in the short term and that in turn feed on those who cannot access the same benefits, even if there is enough for everyone. If we all really had "equal conditions" the PTB would not have a job (laughs). They wouldn't have anyone to squeeze.

However, when you can see the dynamics that have led this world to what it is now, you accept it and yes, you see that there is no other way because every choice is leading to its own destruction.

Yes, it is complicated to "choose to be the miracle" and I admit that I get very angry about these kinds of "lessons", but I remember Pierre when he said through the Cass, and he said "Glory comes for everyone."and it reminds me that the fear that a part of me feels is the material and emotional attachment to this world, it is an foreign attachment.

We will not see it now, we will not understand it or even imagine what they mean as long as we are in these 3D bodies so often STS around us radiating from themselves so that we cannot see things clearly. Meditating on it and keeping yourself in acquiring knowledge can help you

A personal experience that made me forget about the bombing was:

My mother in her concern told me "I wanted to tell you for a long time, sorry for bringing you into this world" and I noticed that she has been with that guilt for a while so I just told her "You don't have to apologize for anything, I chose to come here myself. It is said that before coming here, we agree to experience its lessons in this world. You chose to be my mother, I chose to be your son, etc. so there is nothing to apologize for. We will surely know the rest by the time we leave this hell". So it's interesting how the world can be on fire and still opening a box of surprise individually in your life to be solved!

So, and if meditation is not your thing, read and you will find something that "clicks" in you and helps you to see clearly in the face of so much misery.

 

[seve]

Meyssan's article on SOTT is indeed revealing. While Maduro may have betrayed “Chavez” with his poor performance, it is still the same people who suffer, the Venezuelan people, caught between the CIA and its toxic activities (drugs, Hamas, Hezbollah), and the US government, which only cares about its own interests (playing all sides of the drug trade, which is largely authorized when it suits them, not to mention the sanctions against Venezuela), even if it means turning against the monster it created and without concern for its own people, who have been weakened by these same drugs. We can say that all these centers of power are guilty of harming the people.

 

[Alma.Innovadora]

Venezuelan police arrested two men for celebrating Maduro's arrest

La policía venezolana detuvo a dos hombres por celebrar la detención de Maduro

Los arrestos en el estado Mérida se suman a una ola represiva en Venezuela tras la captura del dictador depuesto. Al menos 14 periodistas fueron detenidos el lunes en Caracas, mientras grupos armados patrullan las calles revisando teléfonos en busca de mensajes críticos del gobierno

www.infobae.com

The police of the Venezuelan state of Merida have arrested two men aged 64 and 65 accused of ”celebrating the kidnapping" of deposed dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in what activists denounce as part of a new repressive wave aimed at stifling any expression of jubilation after the capture of the leader by US forces.

According to a statement from the Autonomous Institute of the Police of the Bolivarian State of Merida (IAPEBM), officials received a complaint about the presence of two citizens “disturbing the public peace and tranquility” in the Los Cedros sector, Río Negro parish, Guaraque municipality.

The police statement states that the detainees “were shouting slogans against the government, celebrating the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and the first combatant Cilia Flores, offending militant neighbors of the PSUV and inciting violence, in addition to detonating with a firearm."

During a home inspection, authorities seized a Smith & Wesson brand revolver with six cartridges, five of them struck, and a shotgun with no visible mark. Both men were taken to the Guaraque police station, according to the statement.

 

[palestine]

Thank you @Alma.Innovadora for your "insider" perspective! I did not know that you were from Venezuela and I understood it recently. Reading your words shows the usual feeling that external people can feel: "people on the ground" vs "people far from the conflict". It shows that when you have a "prime" view on things (such as you are), we attach matter to variables, differently, than if we were located "outside".

For instance, the situation leads you to show importance to this:

So if someone thinks that the solution is to eliminate only psychopathic politicians, what about the population who are their followers? once again, eradication and the end of the world.

It has been my understanding that "eradicating the psychos" wouldn't solve the problem. I believe that this is partly due to a wrong interpretation of the "big picture": we would oversimplify things because we consider psychopaths as the top-end of the problem. They are a bit, i would say, but it seems that there is an additional influence, over them. Somehow this is what would require attention. Could be that there is a "force" acting on both psychopaths and normal people. This leaves us with the big picture slightly differently than just willing to eradicate psychopaths.

I would suspect some "forces" to pull strings so that psychopaths & the masses get to act mechanically. Again, psychopaths as not the very top of the problem, not exactly the place where we would need to look at.

But, then, when psychopaths are turning psychopaths, they are in their "element" so that they become damaging, and some may be needed to be stopped. So they become a problem too.

Something that transpires, from reading your lines, is that Maduro is not a Saint, too. People around, the USA - even citizen. Overall I see people "ballotted" left & right, with few options different than "complying" with basic models such as "drug trafficking", "corruption" etc. It's as if all accepted to "play dirty", and that today we face the consequences of this. But it could be that Maduro is/was still holding on to a better world, so that, "one day", he would be able to do things differently!

My best thoughts go to you and your country, and I am sorry that a country like yours gets another "row" of complications. It can be that "it cannot be else", after all. Years and years of unsolved problems, makes so that we need to face the real problems, at some point. So - a basic "lesson", but not restricted to Venezuela (if such was the case).

I don't believe that it's restricted to Venezuela, but your country seems to be very relevant in terms of "overall matters".

Looking at Germany simply makes me cry! And the USA! It's as if they are just "back to the old STS state". But people are learning, and I believe that some truly want the stability that this world did not provided, since.. Bush? Before? The one we never had?

I have the feeling that some "things" have been cooking under the "public view", and that there could be much. Who knows what we would be learning, in one month or two?

 

[Joe]

Above is speculation, but the "empty" tanker in question is highly unlikely to be empty. Russia would not have spent that much effort to keep it from the US otherwise.

I doubt they'd use a tanker to "sneak"weapons into Venezuela when the tanker in question has been under US sanctioned and watched closely for several months. Weapons can be, and have been, transported by much more efficient airborne means.

 

[Joe]

Ten airplanes of that type would be a slight overkill for such action.

Yeah, looks like its aimed at Iran. Incoming?

Also, the US is attempting to board the Marinera

 

[Corvus]

Russian 'shadow fleet" tanker Marinera is currently about 400km NW of Ireland heading towards the North Atlantic.

The Marinera is a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) crude oil tanker (IMO number: 9230880) built in 2002, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 318,518 MT and dimensions of about 333 meters in length and 60 meters in beam.

In mid-December 2025, the vessel (then Bella 1) approached Venezuela to load crude oil but was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of a U.S.-imposed blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil exports.

The crew refused boarding, reversed course, and fled across the Atlantic. During the pursuit the ship renamed itself Marinera and registered under the Russian flag.

Russia formally demanded the U.S. halt the chase, claiming jurisdiction. The U.S. views the reflagging as invalid (considering the vessel "stateless" at the time of initial interception) and has continued surveillance and pursuit. U.S. officials have indicated plans to intercept and seize the vessel (potentially using special forces and Coast Guard teams, similar to prior seizures of shadow fleet tankers , rather than sink it.

This is likely the reason for the [up to] ten U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft that landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sat. and Sunday.

Most of the flights originated from Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia - home to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and elements of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) - or from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where the 160th SOAR is headquartered alongside the 101st Airborne Division.

Both outfits specialize in airborne or air assault operations, like nigh-time boarding of very large oil tankers, especially those belonging to Russia, and carrying Venezuelan oil to China.

In response to the pursuit, as of today, the Marinera has begun distancing itself from mainland UK, beyond the reach of helicopters. Any boarding attempt by US forces would require longer range aircraft or helis to be refueled in flight.

The ship will likely be met by Russian naval ships if/when it approaches closer to Russia's Northern Arctic sea ports.

Oh, and there a good chance that armed Russian military personnel are onboard.

View attachment 114916View attachment 114918

I would not call it "Russian" military personel, not in any formal way. Those types of cargo and tanker ships that go through risky parts of world(example Africa aka Somalia aka "pirates") have 2-4 security personel, that is MSO(maritime security operative formal name that have a team leader that is under the orders of the captain of the ship) and many PMC(Private Military Companies) companies have training for those jobs that take mostly ex military and ex police personel, sometimes and civilians depending on the companies and their criteria, 2 months on the ship and 1 month off or similar. So it is more a private company then state that gives security, but often states hire more skilled PMC s for dirty work but in cases like this it is only standard high risk security against pirates. No captain will order resistence against of squad of SF soldiers that have helos with heavy machine guns, rockets, etc... Just the question is why did they wait so long to board it, probably for US goverment to show their arrogance and to provoke.

 

[irjO]

Things are getting heated between Russia and the US

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008941878570348570

It seems UK helped the US to intercept Bella 1/Marinera

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008939592552980735

This has been posted on this thread too:
Putin Recognizes Donbass Republics, Sends Russian Military to 'Denazify' Ukraine'
Putin Recognizes Donbass Republics, Sends Russian Military to 'Denazify' Ukraine

Additionally, there are some reports that the US bombarded a medical supply distribution center near the capital.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008773437041385589

 

[Vulcan59]

Great article by Kevork Almassian.

United Gangs of America

What the Kidnapping of Maduro Reveals About the Empire. When I first saw the photos of Nicolás Maduro sitting in a U.S. courtroom after being kidnapped from Caracas by American special forces, something in me broke. I don't mean I was surprised...

www.sott.net

 

[JEEP]

Quite interesting if legit - can't find translation of what Xi Jinping is saying - "There will be 10,000 lawyers"? Don't have X so can't read replies either that might expose another AI creation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008080532417257561

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007960928432934936

Not getting a good feeling about all this . . .

 

[Joe]

Quite interesting if legit - can't find translation of what Xi Jinping is saying - "There will be 10,000 lawyers"? Don't have X so can't read replies either that might expose another AI creation.

Video is AI, and China has not said anything about lawyers. The rest is his speculation about how China structures its loans might play into the situation re Venezuela. China has been gradually off-loading its US debt holdings in recent years, but it can't dump the whole lot at once without hurting itself as much, if not more, than the US.

 

[Alma.Innovadora]

This story is related to what happened on Monday:
Spy drones flew over Miraflores on Monday and were repelled by defensive fire

Drones espía sobrevolaron Miraflores el lunes y fueron repelidos por fuego defensivo

La situación se presentó alrededor de las ocho de la noche y fue controlada rápidamente por la FANB y los cuerpos policiales.

www.jornada.com.mx

I have not been able to find the news, but as the saying goes "that they fly, they fly". I have noticed that the information is a little limited and mostly the most "noisy" information is on the networks, so I must confirm where this was leaked, but usually they are not very far from the truth:

So far a relative has told me that this general was hiding in Miraflores. We were surprised that Delcy had not been able to enter the Presidential Palace and it seems that it was because this general had taken the Miraflores Palace but not militarily, but under his high charge of not letting them pass. So they did a simulation with the drones, read the previous news indicated, to make this guy come out so they could capture him.

It sounds strange, but at least we already know that there is air defense, although very late. I still have my doubts about Padrino Lopez.

The head of President Nicolás Maduro's Honor Guard is under arrest.

Bajo arresto el jefe de la Guardia de Honor del Presidente Nicolás Maduro – Radio Guantánamo

www.radioguantanamo.icrt.cu

Guantanamo Bay.- Under the title FALL OF the CUSTODIAN, the journalist Rubén Castillo, from the Venezuelan television network Venevisión, describes the arrest warrant Major General Javier Marcano Tábata, head of the Presidential Honor Guard and director of the DGCIM. (Military Counterintelligence) of Venezuela, who is pointed out as the architect of the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

The article reports how Delcy Rodríguez arrests General Marcano Tábata for the "Rendition" of Maduro. In a tactical move that was not expected, the president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, has ordered the immediate capture of Major General Javier Marcano Tábata, head of the Presidential Honor Guard and director of the DGCIM. (Military Counterintelligence)

The man who swore to protect Nicolás Maduro with his life is now pointed out as the architect of the betrayal that allowed the capture of the president on January 3. The arrest of Marcano Tábata took place in the late hours of Yesterday evening.

Delcy Rodríguez, faced with the fulfillment of Maduro's decree of "State of External Commotion" that dictates the capture of any collaborator with the enemy, has not hesitated: Marcano Tábata has been directly linked to the "attack" — a term used by Chavismo to refer to the capture — having deactivated the air defense protocols at Fort Tiuna during the early hours of Saturday, which was his responsibility.

Information has been leaked suggesting that the arrest of Marcano Tábata was not a mistake, but a quick response to the possible executors of a deliberate betrayal.

He is accused of having facilitated the "Extraction Route" and of having delivered the exact coordinates where Maduro spent the night and the blind spots of the Cuban-Venezuelan security ring that allowed the effectiveness of the Gringo attack.

Investigations by the new administration point to encrypted communications between the general and foreign intelligence agencies weeks before January 3.

"There is no worse enemy than the one who sleeps in your own house. General Marcano Tábata not only failed in his duty, but sold sovereignty to the highest bidder," a spokesman close to the vice presidency said.

Undoubtedly this arrest brings an Earthquake in Miraflores, because it marks the end of the Honor Guard as it was known. With 32 Cuban military personnel killed during the extraction operation and now its Venezuelan head behind bars, the presidential security corps has collapsed and needs restructuring.

It has also been reported by anonymous sources that arrests of intelligence and counterintelligence officers of the DGCIM who responded to Marcano are being carried out.

While I was in office, the president in charge has decreed that the general mobilization and activation of the militias should continue, in support of the regular units that occupy defensive positions in the country and that protect the executive.

The arrest of one of the most powerful generals in the country sends a clear message: in today's Venezuela, the government is willing to clarify what happened and that the traitors and collaborators of the enemy pay for the capture of Maduro.

Delcy Rodríguez destituyó al jefe de seguridad que protegía a Nicolás Maduro y ordenó su captura

La decisión se da cuatro días después de que Estados Unidos tuviera éxito en el operativo para capturar al presidente.

www.elpais.com.co

Media information revealed that Major General Javier Marcano is attributed the following offenses:

- Disclosure of vulnerabilities in presidential security: he is held responsible for not maintaining effective control over strategic areas and key points of the Cuban-Venezuelan security ring.

- Failures in the protection of the Legislature: during the recent incidents in the National Assembly, the lack of coordination of the Honor Guard allowed the entry and performance of groups that generated chaos, affecting the security of the hemicycle.

- Possible communications with external actors: preliminary investigations by the current government indicate that Marcano allegedly exchanged encrypted information with foreign intelligence agencies, and that the events took place days before the operation that removed Maduro from the territory.

The Purge: Delcy Rodríguez fired the 'oppositionist hunter' General Marcano Tábata.

La Purga: Delcy Rodríguez despidió al ‘cazaopositores’ general Marcano Tábata

Javier Marcano Tábata era un personaje clave como Director de Contrainteligencia Militar, importante en la represión interna. Delcy Rodríguez lo despidió.

urgente24.com

Javier Marcano Tábata was a key figure as Director of Military Counterintelligence, important in internal repression. Delcy Rodriguez fired him.

The "oppositionist hunter"... in the end he hunted down "his own".
__________
There are many hypotheses about the probability that Maduro will be released, I doubt it but we'll see.

Could Maduro go free in the US? USA.?: these are the strategies that the defense would use

¿Maduro podría salir libre en EE. UU.?: estas son las estrategias que usaría la defensa

Los abogados de Maduro buscan alternativas para frenar el proceso o, en el mejor de los escenarios, lograr su libertad.

www.bluradio.com

Questioning the evidence in the case
Another possible way would be to attack the origin of the judicial process. The defense could allege that Maduro was illegally captured, an argument that he reinforced by stating that he was “kidnapped” by the US military. This point opens the debate on the jurisdiction and legality of the operation.

In addition, lawyers may question the access and handling of evidence, especially those related to classified national security information.

Witnesses or possible agreement
The weight of the process also depends on the cooperating witnesses. The Prosecutor's Office has prosecuted several people close to Maduro and has pointed out alleged links with criminal and drug trafficking organizations, as well as with armed groups, including the so-called ‘Cartel of the Suns’. However, last Tuesday, January 8, Donald Trump himself downplayed the existence and relevance of that organization.

Finally, a possible negotiation is not ruled out. Although the charges Maduro faces are serious and could lead to life in prison, many federal cases end in settlements. The political and diplomatic context keeps this possibility open, which today appears as the most viable way to face American justice and avoid a life sentence.

_____

There is a deployment of officials, some merchants maintain prices others do not. I have been able to buy at a price not exactly "low", only at the "prices before the bombshell". Eventually it will come back up little by little.

They announce that there are merchants charging the dollar at illegal rates

Anuncian que hay comerciantes cobrando el dólar a tasas ilegales

Anuncian que hay comerciantes cobrando el dólar a tasas ilegales. En distintas ciudades del país, la especulación del dólar se refleja

elpublicotv.com

Valencia, January 6, 2026-. They advertise that there are merchants charging the dollar at illegal rates. The political uncertainty generated by the military operation executed by the United States immediately impacted prices. In the first 48 hours, the parallel dollar was quoted as high as 1,000 bolivars.

This behavior directly affected the cost of food. Informal traders began to set prices with rates much higher than the official one.

According to the Central Bank of Venezuela, the official rate was set this Tuesday, January 6, at Bs. 308,1. However, the unofficial market showed a significant gap.

They announce that there are merchants charging the dollar at illegal rates
In different cities of the country, the speculation of the dollar is reflected in the daily sale of food. Informal traders apply rates ranging from Bs. 400 and Bs. 900.

At Las Pulgas Market, in Maracaibo, the value of the dollar depends on the item. Fruits and vegetables are sold with rates between Bs. 550 and Bs. 700.

An informal worker explained that prices change depending on the product. "For bananas you get in 600 or 700," he said.

Other items achieve higher rates. "Some products are charged at 800 or 900," he added.


Differences between cities

In Caracas, the gap of the unofficial dollar is smaller. The parallel rate moves between Bs. 400 and Bs. 600.

Neighbors indicate that the price depends on the merchant. Many people avoid buying if it is not strictly necessary.

Another dynamic is taking place in formal trade. The products are calculated with the official rate, but the final prices increase.

A kilo of powdered milk went from 12 to 16 dollars in a few days. The adjustment occurred despite maintaining the official reference.

In Miranda, complaints about dollar speculation multiplied. The parallel rate reached Bs. 600.

One of the most commented cases was the sale of BREAD Flour in Bs. 1.500. The average price is around Bs. 500.

Monitoring and official reaction

Faced with the uncontrolled increase, citizens paid high amounts to stock up. Some traders took advantage of the situation.

Social pressure led to enforcement operations in several states. Miranda and Zulia led these actions.

The authorities inspected formal and informal shops. As a result, several premises were sanctioned or temporarily closed.

The aim is to curb dollar speculation and protect access to basic commodities. The supervision is still active.

Meanwhile, the official dollar also showed an increase. In the first six days of 2026 he raised Bs. 6,8.

Some employee of the PTB selling more expensive vegetables. Pocket squeezers!

 

[Alejo]

According to RT the Russian Foreign Ministry said this about the ship, which seems rather soft.

“Taking into account the information received about the presence of Russian citizens among the crew, we demand that the US side guarantee them humane and dignified treatment, strictly respect their rights and interests, and not hinder their swift return to their homeland,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The ministry added that it was closely monitoring reports on the situation.

 

[Alejo]

Theirry Meyssan is not correct on this, Chavez publicly named Maduro as the successor in the case something happens to him:

Ahh good find. I suppose the only technicality is death bed proclamations but it seems a technicality with that video. I did like his take on Maduro as a leader and what had been transpiring inside Venezuela.

In other news, Petro had a conversation with Trump today and they seem to have made up, for now. Petro said that he expects relations to reopen between the two nations and Trump seems to have said the same thing. Petro also advocated for a meeting between Venezuela, USA and Colombia. We'll see where this lands.

 

[Alma.Innovadora]

Thanks to you for sharing what you think.

It's as if all accepted to "play dirty"

Yes, a lot to break down here.

But it could be that Maduro is/was still holding on to a better world, so that, "one day", he would be able to do things differently!

My best thoughts go to you and your country, and I am sorry that a country like yours gets another "row" of complications. It can be that "it cannot be else", after all. Years and years of unsolved problems, makes so that we need to face the real problems, at some point. So - a basic "lesson", but not restricted to Venezuela (if such was the case).

We'll see, friend, we'll see, these don't seem like good times to be challenging the USA. If the Cass even recommended not talking about Israel, it's because times are very difficult.

Between psychopaths and ideological fanatics things don't end well. Maduro was confident and they came looking for him in the same way, unlike Petro who already has the United States in his house. Hopefully he will really change his temperament if he is on time and that will save him in his meeting with Delcy and Trump.

I hope Petro doesn't end up like Allende.