Operation Jungle Storm
I won't go quite so far as to call this the first step towards war with Venezuela, but don't be surprised if crap like this causes it to happen in the next five to ten years:
Chavez Threatens US Oil Cutoff
President Hugo Chavez on Sunday threatened to cut off oil sales to the United States in an "economic war" if Exxon Mobil Corp. wins court judgments to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets.
Exxon Mobil has gone after the assets of state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA in U.S., British and Dutch courts as it challenges the nationalization of a multibillion dollar oil project by Chavez's government.
A British court has issued an injunction "freezing" as much as $12 billion in assets.
"If you end up freezing (Venezuelan assets) and it harms us, we're going to harm you," Chavez said during his weekly radio and television program, "Hello, President." "Do you know how? We aren't going to send oil to the United States. Take note, Mr. Bush, Mr. Danger."
Chavez has repeatedly threatened to cut off oil shipments to the United States, which is Venezuela's No. 1 client, if Washington tries to oust him. Chavez's warnings on Sunday appeared to extend that threat to attempts by oil companies to challenge his government's nationalization drive through lawsuits.
It's almost like he wants to have his military obliterated, his government toppled, and himself dragged out of a hole in the ground to face months of interrogation followed by hanging. I've been thinking for awhile now that whoever follows Bush into the white house is going to quickly face some stern challenges internationally as people test the new president's mettle. It wouldn't surprise me if this was one of them, if not the big one - what would Obama, the most staunchly anti-war candidate, do when faced with an "invasion is the best option" scenario like that?
Then again, maybe he's just an arrogant blowhard, talking big with no intention of doing it. After all, even without sparking a war, cutting off oil shipments to the U.S. would be pretty devastating to Venezuela's economy. Let's hope for everyone's sakes that talk is all it is.
Chavez Threatens US Oil Cutoff
President Hugo Chavez on Sunday threatened to cut off oil sales to the United States in an "economic war" if Exxon Mobil Corp. wins court judgments to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets.
Exxon Mobil has gone after the assets of state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA in U.S., British and Dutch courts as it challenges the nationalization of a multibillion dollar oil project by Chavez's government.
A British court has issued an injunction "freezing" as much as $12 billion in assets.
"If you end up freezing (Venezuelan assets) and it harms us, we're going to harm you," Chavez said during his weekly radio and television program, "Hello, President." "Do you know how? We aren't going to send oil to the United States. Take note, Mr. Bush, Mr. Danger."
Chavez has repeatedly threatened to cut off oil shipments to the United States, which is Venezuela's No. 1 client, if Washington tries to oust him. Chavez's warnings on Sunday appeared to extend that threat to attempts by oil companies to challenge his government's nationalization drive through lawsuits.
It's almost like he wants to have his military obliterated, his government toppled, and himself dragged out of a hole in the ground to face months of interrogation followed by hanging. I've been thinking for awhile now that whoever follows Bush into the white house is going to quickly face some stern challenges internationally as people test the new president's mettle. It wouldn't surprise me if this was one of them, if not the big one - what would Obama, the most staunchly anti-war candidate, do when faced with an "invasion is the best option" scenario like that?
Then again, maybe he's just an arrogant blowhard, talking big with no intention of doing it. After all, even without sparking a war, cutting off oil shipments to the U.S. would be pretty devastating to Venezuela's economy. Let's hope for everyone's sakes that talk is all it is.