Simple one in a few points given the events happening here:

1. Venezuela is being invaded (Seems kinda indefensible but I will hear arguments)

2. The reason for this isn't drugs, its oil.

3. It is as unfair and a dark synomination of Russia's own war with the Ukrainian State, we are no better then Russia and that is REALLY BAD.

4. Like Russia we are attempting to create a puppet regime which will kow to AMERICAN interests at the cost of likely absolutely everyone in the country and the country will be constantly impoverished from this because of colonial exploitation.

Change my mind, because it feels cut and dry.

ALL POSTS ABOUT THE INVASION ARE LOCKED. KEEP ALL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS TOPIC TO MEGATHREADS!

Early on Saturday, explosions were heard and aircraft was spotted in Caracas, Venezuela's capital. This happens after months of allegations that Venezuela has turned into a narco state. It is the first invasion by the US on Latin America since 1989.

According to the US, they have successfully captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and they have been flown out of the country. Venezuelans leaders have not confirmed or denied this fact.

Source: Reuters

We expect more information in the coming hours regarding this conflict between US and Venezuela. I have to leave soon, so if any mod reads this, feel free to start a 2nd Megathread later. Otherwise, I'll keep updating this megathread later today.

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Starter: After the kindnapping(?) of Venezuela’s president, Madura, the country was in celebration as the dictator and alleged drug dealer was out of office and now the people were finally free and could start making their country better for everyone. Well in theory, in actuality Maduro’s old regime was still in place, including the person who’s running the country now,at least on paper, the former VP for Maduro. This has lead to a huge crackdown by the government, with people being arrested for supporting the US actions. Also, many citizens are being forced to protest to release Maduro. If there’s one lesson we should take away from all this is, don’t celebrate too early.

I know it might be too early to know “why” he completed military actions in the country, but I’m just curious as to where/how this all started?

https://www.reddit.com/r/news/s/BiyKcAYStI

I believe this news is only partially priced in as we see the spike on Friday with some of the companies that will be involved.

I think Chevron CVX is potentially the winner here as they’re already on the ground in Venezuela and have infrastructure there, I can see a spike with CVX on opening on Monday but I think when the news fades it could go down and I believe this could be the same for Crude Oil, I think investors will remember when the news fades that the oil market is already flooded with oil and in Venezuelas oil floods the market it will drive oil prices down further.

I don’t think it possible for the oil to be extracted immediately as the already in place infrastructure is severely damaged including old pipelines from Venezuela to the US and over $100 billion in investment is needed and 5 - 8 years for recovery. There is also an embargo and sanctions that still have not been lifted yet and this prevents any full scale operation there from any company but once the contracts are giving from the US treasury it can only make these companies stock go up further. I am looking at Halliburton HAL and Schlumberger SLB as I think these will both be excellent plays and will not be affected by oil prices as they don’t sell oil. SLB is the “brains” of the operation, SLB has the technology to detect all of Venezuelas remaining oil field, especially the oil in the hard to reach places and SLB plans the extraction and maps everything. No company has the technology SLB does. Halliburton HAL will be sent to repair the existing pipelines and pump. HAL will fix everything and they already have existing infrastructure in Venezuela. They will also support Chevrons drilling. I believe HAL could be profitable to hold for the next 6 - 12 months and SLB could be a good hold for the next 6 - 18 months. With these two companies you avoid the volatility of oil prices and the oil market getting flooded and prices dropping.

One refinery in particular I am looking at it Valero VLO, they specialize in refining Venezuela heavy crude products, this could be a good long term play as profits will spike significantly long term.

Another one to watch could be ConocoPhillips COP as they were an oil company involved in Venezuela many years ago and their equipment and assets were seized under the Moduro regime and are owed $10 billion because of this by Venezuela so I believe they will definitely get restitution.