The UN is literally incapable of anything except being "deeply concerned" in this case; the ICJ has no jurisdiction over the US unless the US agrees to submit to it (which it historically hasn't, and most definitely wouldn't in this matter), and the US (like Russia) is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and can unilaterally veto any resolution proposed by the UNSC. Individual UN members could take action against the US if they choose, but the UN as a whole can do nothing except issue non-binding statements disapproving of their actions in Venezuela.
We, as in the EU, don’t have the capability to project power. We outsourced all of that to the US so we were happy with that arrangement while the US wasn’t hostile toward Europe. And now it’s really biting Europe in the arse now that the US has gone anti-Europe, and the post-war world order has been thrown out the window.
Europe has had 2 years to prepare for this since Trump was the nominee in 24. They’ve been far too slow and the notion of using frozen Russian money to buy American weapons at a big markup to give to Ukraine is just pathetic. Tomahawk Cruise Missiles are 40 year old tech. Yes, they’ve had updates but the idea that Europe can’t make cruise missile with a two year lead in? Pathetic response.
Internet warrior has spoken. We would totally have been on the path to time travel and a European neutron bomb in those two years under your sage guidance.
Shame they didn’t include the word “condemn”. Then they’d know we were serious.
And then all the tabloids could have written articles titled “minister of foreign affairs ‘slams’ America’s attack on Venezuela using ‘warplanes’”
It’s important the tabloids always specify “warplanes” so people don’t confuse them with regular planes. People might think they are carpet bombing Venezuela using A320’s.
100%. And there are plenty of muppets in Ireland (and on r/ireland) who think they are "pragmatists" and any talk of international law or rules is pointless pipedreaming.
Those of us who have actually read a history book remember that in the mid 1930s, Chamberlain was lauded as the arch pragmatist. Churchill, and the Labour party were denounced as idealists. The appeasement of Israel in Gaza and the US in Venezuala is exactly the same. It will have the exact same ending.
"We are unwilling to go to war with the US, or even talk about sanctions over this". Most people would probably agree. And we won't step out of line with the rest of the EU, and undermine any future negotiating positions.
Maduro isn't a good guy but its naive to think US would give a rats arse to Maduro if they hadn't financial interests in Venezuela. Venezuela's wellbeing is the least of their thoughts that is if it is a thought at all.
Is classic us move we can't work with this guy topple him and put our guy in who will give us and our businesses preferred treatment. Only to watch it blow up in their faces 10 years later when that person either gets toppled by the people of said country or reneges on what the USA wants.
I mean what the hell do you actually expect? The Department for Sound Bites isn’t going to wade into this one fists first no matter who occupies the White House.
People out there seriously thinking the US needs to be heavily sanctioned because of this. Diplomacy in a globalized economy pretty much demands stances that are not the most just, but are the most beneficial to each country. In other words, it's not about what's right, it's about what makes sense, especially in the long run.
I can't even imagine the results of an escalated sanction war between the EU and the US right now, not just for the economy but also for the effects on the now brittle alliance between them.
Basically saying we are afraid of our shite of saying anything so we'll hide behind the EU. Contrast it with what the Austrian vice prime minister Babler said "I condemn the armed attack of the US in Venezuela. This attack is a strong violation of the prohibition of violence of the UNO charter. It is a matter of our credibility, to clearly call this out. We must hold high the flag of international rule of law" (translation mine)
I'm not well versed in Austrian politics but the Vice Chancellor isn't responsible for foreign affairs, and is of a different party to the Chancellor and most of the rest of the cabinet, so this isn't necessarily the official Austrian government response.
So it would be wrong to compare this with Helen McEntee's statement.
I mean we’ve said much the same with different words. Those are equally as meaningless as ours were.
The US are our biggest ally historically and easily our biggest outside of the EU today, expecting more than this is like expecting China to condemn Russia.
I’m sure they wish Putin didn’t kick that hornet’s nest but it’s an act of self-harm for no benefit to say much more than what they did and what we did here.
We didn't even mention who is involved in the "situation", nor the "principles" that are being violated. If you showed the Irish statement to someone just waking up they wouldn't be able to tell what was going on.
You dont even have to get into the weeds on that cause its irrelevant. Every invader in history thinks their victim is somehow illegitimate. If laws of soveriegnity dont equally even to dictators they dont apply to anyone. The invasion of Iraq was just as illegal and imperialist regardless of Saddam objectively being a dictator
What it would also be no big deal for China to invade Singapore or Vietnam cause they dont have what the West would recognize as democracy either? Azerbaijan is a dictatorship, no issue with Russia invading them I suppose.
This is a pure imperialist invasion based on nothing else. This is the US doing exactly the same thing Russia is doing. "Legitimacy" doesnt come into the decision to do it for either, or change their likelihood of doing it to another country.
I can't help but be angry with the US being completely in bed with the highly disputed Israeli government, whilst pretending this man has to be removed at all costs. The lies aren't even good anymore.
The timing of this following the sudden meeting of special Chinese Envoy just hours before is interesting.
I wonder did China force their hand somehow.
Was there an impression given that China were about to station some stuff and cause complications, so they had to strike.
Ultimately though it looks like very little resistance took place, so kinda indicative of cooperation with USA
Like why did they have to throw that in there? Trying to make this a two sided issue. Like the fucker or not he was the head of the state regardless and the US has no right to just rock up drop bombs and kidnap foreign governments to fill their ego and their oil reserves.
But like the US could have for example gone to the ICC and gotten an arrest warrant for him.
Even Bush went through the motions of the UN.
WTF is this?
Commandos and putting people in the public pillory box.
And lads if you can't trust the US to uphold international law, why would you buy their government bonds, corporate debt or their company shares ?
International law that can't be relied on for a HEAD OF STATE sure as fuck can't be relied on to return your investments to you, you non US person... drug dealer maybe 🤔 why not
It’s the same saying “We condemn the Israeli systematic extermination of civilians and forced displacement of survivors. We would like to take this opportunity to also condemn the terrorist attack committed by Hamas back in 2023 in order to make people think there are somehow two sides to this.”
They didn't say they didn't like it, they said he wasn't legitimately chosen by the people. Removing a chosen leader vs removing a corrupt usurper are not the same.
Not saying the US is right to kidnap him, they are only looking after their own interests, but just pointing out what the letter says.
I don't get reactions like this. What are you saying exactly? Are you just taking the piss because have opinions on it? Are you expecting some other kind of reaction from people here? What the fuck are you talking about?
Europe has near a billion people, living in opulence compared to the rest of the world. It’s huge and greedy population that’s used to comfort, uses so much energy to keep their homes and lifestyles the way they want, that the EU is never gonna wag its finger when a friendly nation gets its hands on huge reserves of fuel. Obviously the US lives like this too, that’s why they do what they do
The whole Ukraine thing is partially due to Europe getting so much of its energy from Russia, while simultaneously calling it a threat and demanding NATO to curb Russia in a military way
Look, this is fucked. We all know this is fucked. But the government isn’t about to pick a fight with the US, because it would fucking destroy us. It’s shitty, but there’s nothing we can do about it, in the short term at least.
Moments like these are very revealing. The people who are currently supporting the US for realpolitik economic reasons would very likely had made the same excuses if Nazi Germany providing our multinational corporate tax
It’s about living in reality isn’t it. What’s the alternative demand release? Obviously there is no “or else”. At best we are ignored. At worst ignored and impact to relations with US.
We can’t hurt the US in any way that doesn’t hurt ourselves 100 times more.
We can’t do big stick diplomacy just no stick diplomacy.
Working with the EU gives us a small stick.
I’d love to understand how some people think calling out the US works out.
I know 2 Venezuelans personally. Both on their way to Irish citizenship. Both here because their country went from wealthy to economic basket case, in a single generation, through decades of extreme corruption and oppression. They HATE Maduro. Today, they’re literally cracking open champagne bottles . They don’t care that Trump broke international law, nor why he did it. They were absolutely beaten down and hopeless - now they’ve hope. Most of the revulsion against this action, not that it was right, seems to emanate from Russia, China and Iran. Not really Venezuelans and certainly not the Venezuelan diaspora. But then what would they know…
When you hear about “Latinos voting for Trump” in the US, a significant portion of that is Venezuelans and Cubans (and their descendants) who are hardcore anti-communist. Obviously there’s a bit of a survival bias as to who ends up inside vs outside the country; people who hate a country’s leadership are more likely to leave. But yeah, there are a lot of Venezuelans, especially in the diaspora, who are happy about this, and a lot of Cubans who are hoping for the same in Cuba (which is no doubt on Trump and Rubio’s mind).
Doesn’t make it any less illegal or any better in terms of international norms and ethics. Saddam was also a terrible, terrible person, which doesn’t make anything the US did in Iraq any better.
their country went from wealthy to economic basket case, in a single generation, through decades of extreme corruption and oppression
What are you talking about? Venezuela has been in dire straits since the 80s oil crisis. They had a neoliberal gov implement austerity and sell off every state asset in the 90s.
A large percentage of people in most countries dislike their leaders and a large percentage of people in most countries are largely clueless about the realities of global geopolitics. Just look at ourselves, we've been one of the most prosperous and successful countries in the world over the past decade yet there's a large percentage particularly on this subreddit that think Martin and Varadkar are worse than Satan, and that's in an extremely prosperous country.
Reality is the US couldn't give the slightest shit about Venezuelan citizens and are entirely focused on their own geopolitics goals, I haven't read enough into it all to have a real opinion so far but would presume it's some play to secure more oil and to harm China's supply
Not caveat that we are against abduction of heads of state by force maybe.
An unprovoked act of war. Maybe we could remove American cocks from our gullets for 10 seconds to I dunno actually say abducting heads of state is no Bueno
Of course, one of our largest trade partners, their gateway to the European market and lower taxes and to rub up the Irish Americans and take from their pockets.
We didn’t stop during Iraq, Vietnam or any other conflict, not going to stop now, we might get a good deal on the oil if we cradle the balls of capitalism nicely
Trump just said at a press conference that the "US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place".
Trading one dictator for another. I wouldn't be surprised if Trump coronated his son as Venezuela's new strongman.
As far as I know in 2020 the U.S said that Maduro and several high-ranking officials were involved in narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
I think it's strange that a country can go in and steal another president but at the end of the day this guy was a dictator but again it's not right. It's a sort of tough one to understand but I know for a fact if tomorrow morning if the US did the same to Netanyahu no one here with care they would celebrate.
There's plenty of videos online showing the venezuelans celebrating delighted that their dictator has gone(some are fake) but still it's a strange one. One minute I feel okay fair enough but then I think what does this mean for the future
The Venezuelans don’t really care how this was done by the way. They don’t care if oil is the reason, they just wanted Maduro out. I’ve a friend in Australia who’s Venezuelan and shes delighted with this. We can all spout shit about the situation but at the end of the day, it’s the Venezuelans that matter. The majority will be happy with this outcome.
Plenty of r/ireland regulars also want Martin out by any means, presumably you'd support a Russian invasion to kidnap Martin and take over the state to appease their wishes?
Afterall, Johnny randomer originally from Ireland but who lives in New Zealand because of the housing crisis wants it
If you want the thoughts of people who actually give a shit about this, ask your local Venezuelan friend. There's going to be a lot of celebrations tonight at least initially, because the Chavez and Maduro regimes are probably a good reason as to why they left their home to live in places like here and greater europe.
So the government is not condemning US actions at all? Ah c'mon lads. The US military just rolls in, bombs the country, and kidnaps its president and then charges him with the most absurd reason - "drugs".
I would have thought the key element is that a country whose boots we lick has up and decided to kidnap the leader of and bomb a sovereign country in South America once again and people tacitly condoning it.
It's an obvious point but no one other than Iran and co are rushing for nukes. You do have to question what would've happened if Ukraine didn't surrender it's massive supply of nukes 30 years ago.
"Respect for international law" is the European version of "thoughts and prayers"
The UN is deeply concerned
Thats my other favorite hit
The UN is literally incapable of anything except being "deeply concerned" in this case; the ICJ has no jurisdiction over the US unless the US agrees to submit to it (which it historically hasn't, and most definitely wouldn't in this matter), and the US (like Russia) is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and can unilaterally veto any resolution proposed by the UNSC. Individual UN members could take action against the US if they choose, but the UN as a whole can do nothing except issue non-binding statements disapproving of their actions in Venezuela.
"Not to interfere because its safe as dublin and under control"
We, as in the EU, don’t have the capability to project power. We outsourced all of that to the US so we were happy with that arrangement while the US wasn’t hostile toward Europe. And now it’s really biting Europe in the arse now that the US has gone anti-Europe, and the post-war world order has been thrown out the window.
Europe has had 2 years to prepare for this since Trump was the nominee in 24. They’ve been far too slow and the notion of using frozen Russian money to buy American weapons at a big markup to give to Ukraine is just pathetic. Tomahawk Cruise Missiles are 40 year old tech. Yes, they’ve had updates but the idea that Europe can’t make cruise missile with a two year lead in? Pathetic response.
Internet warrior has spoken. We would totally have been on the path to time travel and a European neutron bomb in those two years under your sage guidance.
Shame they didn’t include the word “condemn”. Then they’d know we were serious.
And then all the tabloids could have written articles titled “minister of foreign affairs ‘slams’ America’s attack on Venezuela using ‘warplanes’”
It’s important the tabloids always specify “warplanes” so people don’t confuse them with regular planes. People might think they are carpet bombing Venezuela using A320’s.
Nothing encapsulates the horrors of war more than the word "Airbus"
They'll still let the planes land in Shannon as well
100%. And there are plenty of muppets in Ireland (and on r/ireland) who think they are "pragmatists" and any talk of international law or rules is pointless pipedreaming. Those of us who have actually read a history book remember that in the mid 1930s, Chamberlain was lauded as the arch pragmatist. Churchill, and the Labour party were denounced as idealists. The appeasement of Israel in Gaza and the US in Venezuala is exactly the same. It will have the exact same ending.
Translated: "We will wait until we see which way the wind is blowing before making any definitive statements."
"We are unwilling to go to war with the US, or even talk about sanctions over this". Most people would probably agree. And we won't step out of line with the rest of the EU, and undermine any future negotiating positions.
Translation: "its the christmas holidays, I'm only a part timer, come back next week"
A lot of words to say nothing
Pretty clearly says "We all think it's fucked but are too afraid to call America out on it"
Not really. I get that, " it's happened, we didn't like Maduro anyway so this is for the best and now we want a peaceful transition".
it’s not about maduro though. It’s about the Venezuelan oil.
Maduro has the oil. We have decided to help the people of Venezuela to give our oil back to us by defeating Maduro. It's freedom Charlie
It's part of it but Maduro isn't exactly a good guy.
Maduro isn't a good guy but its naive to think US would give a rats arse to Maduro if they hadn't financial interests in Venezuela. Venezuela's wellbeing is the least of their thoughts that is if it is a thought at all.
Neither is Trump
The transition began way before the kidnapping and has been anything but peaceful.
Is classic us move we can't work with this guy topple him and put our guy in who will give us and our businesses preferred treatment. Only to watch it blow up in their faces 10 years later when that person either gets toppled by the people of said country or reneges on what the USA wants.
It's not about liking him. The elections were rigged. That's why he wasn't legitimate. But this is obviously not the way to do it.
I mean what the hell do you actually expect? The Department for Sound Bites isn’t going to wade into this one fists first no matter who occupies the White House.
People out there seriously thinking the US needs to be heavily sanctioned because of this. Diplomacy in a globalized economy pretty much demands stances that are not the most just, but are the most beneficial to each country. In other words, it's not about what's right, it's about what makes sense, especially in the long run.
I can't even imagine the results of an escalated sanction war between the EU and the US right now, not just for the economy but also for the effects on the now brittle alliance between them.
Basically saying we are afraid of our shite of saying anything so we'll hide behind the EU. Contrast it with what the Austrian vice prime minister Babler said "I condemn the armed attack of the US in Venezuela. This attack is a strong violation of the prohibition of violence of the UNO charter. It is a matter of our credibility, to clearly call this out. We must hold high the flag of international rule of law" (translation mine)
I'm not well versed in Austrian politics but the Vice Chancellor isn't responsible for foreign affairs, and is of a different party to the Chancellor and most of the rest of the cabinet, so this isn't necessarily the official Austrian government response.
So it would be wrong to compare this with Helen McEntee's statement.
I mean we’ve said much the same with different words. Those are equally as meaningless as ours were.
The US are our biggest ally historically and easily our biggest outside of the EU today, expecting more than this is like expecting China to condemn Russia.
I’m sure they wish Putin didn’t kick that hornet’s nest but it’s an act of self-harm for no benefit to say much more than what they did and what we did here.
No we didn't, not at all..
We didn't even mention who is involved in the "situation", nor the "principles" that are being violated. If you showed the Irish statement to someone just waking up they wouldn't be able to tell what was going on.
Dude, no, just no.
It suddenly becomes clear why Helen McEntee was made Minister for Foreign Affairs. The one office where expertise in doing nothing is a benefit.
Are we surprised?
Classic McEntee
Doesn't mention the United States or Trump, it's written as if Venezuela bombed itself
Sure look, who among us hasn't kidnapped foreign political opponents and their spouses?
We kidnapped St Patrick . The Welsh have yet to forgive
I find it hard to imagine a similar statement being released if China had captured the president of Taiwan or Russia captured Zelenskyy.
You're right about Russia/Zelensky but I think a similarly muted response for China/Taiwan is more likely.
Bad comparision, Zelensky is legit, maduro isnt.
Says who? It's a slippery slope if we allow nations to unilaterally decree who's illegitimate and therefore open to kidnapping.
You dont even have to get into the weeds on that cause its irrelevant. Every invader in history thinks their victim is somehow illegitimate. If laws of soveriegnity dont equally even to dictators they dont apply to anyone. The invasion of Iraq was just as illegal and imperialist regardless of Saddam objectively being a dictator
What it would also be no big deal for China to invade Singapore or Vietnam cause they dont have what the West would recognize as democracy either? Azerbaijan is a dictatorship, no issue with Russia invading them I suppose.
This is a pure imperialist invasion based on nothing else. This is the US doing exactly the same thing Russia is doing. "Legitimacy" doesnt come into the decision to do it for either, or change their likelihood of doing it to another country.
I can't help but be angry with the US being completely in bed with the highly disputed Israeli government, whilst pretending this man has to be removed at all costs. The lies aren't even good anymore.
The timing of this following the sudden meeting of special Chinese Envoy just hours before is interesting.
I wonder did China force their hand somehow. Was there an impression given that China were about to station some stuff and cause complications, so they had to strike.
Ultimately though it looks like very little resistance took place, so kinda indicative of cooperation with USA
China has been buying more and more oil from Venezuela. The envoy was likely securing further purchases and discussing the US seizing their tankers.
'Give us a moment, we haven't been told what to think yet'
They need to hire consultants and run a few focus groups. After 3 months and €200 million invested they will have an opinion.
International law
Also
We don't like Maduro
Ask me mammy Kaja Kallas
Like why did they have to throw that in there? Trying to make this a two sided issue. Like the fucker or not he was the head of the state regardless and the US has no right to just rock up drop bombs and kidnap foreign governments to fill their ego and their oil reserves.
Yep
Basically two sidesing it.
But like the US could have for example gone to the ICC and gotten an arrest warrant for him.
Even Bush went through the motions of the UN.
WTF is this?
Commandos and putting people in the public pillory box.
And lads if you can't trust the US to uphold international law, why would you buy their government bonds, corporate debt or their company shares ?
International law that can't be relied on for a HEAD OF STATE sure as fuck can't be relied on to return your investments to you, you non US person... drug dealer maybe 🤔 why not
The US doesn't recognise the ICC 🫠
I mean it has sanctioned judges on the ICC...
Anyway let's listen to the Trump admin shite on about international law now.
Couldn't agree more. The amount of sympathy being given to trumps decision to break international law on this sub is just depressing
It’s the same saying “We condemn the Israeli systematic extermination of civilians and forced displacement of survivors. We would like to take this opportunity to also condemn the terrorist attack committed by Hamas back in 2023 in order to make people think there are somehow two sides to this.”
He wasn't recognised as a legitimate head of state.
He is not their head of state, the state has elected another person as their head of state
It is blatantly saying that Maduro is a cunt, but this is not an acceptable approach
Are ye all robots who can't read anything beyond the extremely literal or something? What is going on here
They didn't say they didn't like it, they said he wasn't legitimately chosen by the people. Removing a chosen leader vs removing a corrupt usurper are not the same.
Not saying the US is right to kidnap him, they are only looking after their own interests, but just pointing out what the letter says.
No problem calling Russia and Israel out but of course different rules for the USA
Waffle. They are all professionals at it.
the US could bomb ireland and we would apologise
Fuck trump and anyone in the usa or out that supports him
Politics is increasingly about the ability to talk without saying anything at all.
Looks identical to Starmer’s, Albsnese’s, and a host of other Western countries responses. Great…
This thread
I don't get reactions like this. What are you saying exactly? Are you just taking the piss because have opinions on it? Are you expecting some other kind of reaction from people here? What the fuck are you talking about?
Europe has near a billion people, living in opulence compared to the rest of the world. It’s huge and greedy population that’s used to comfort, uses so much energy to keep their homes and lifestyles the way they want, that the EU is never gonna wag its finger when a friendly nation gets its hands on huge reserves of fuel. Obviously the US lives like this too, that’s why they do what they do
The whole Ukraine thing is partially due to Europe getting so much of its energy from Russia, while simultaneously calling it a threat and demanding NATO to curb Russia in a military way
Look, this is fucked. We all know this is fucked. But the government isn’t about to pick a fight with the US, because it would fucking destroy us. It’s shitty, but there’s nothing we can do about it, in the short term at least.
Moments like these are very revealing. The people who are currently supporting the US for realpolitik economic reasons would very likely had made the same excuses if Nazi Germany providing our multinational corporate tax
It’s about living in reality isn’t it. What’s the alternative demand release? Obviously there is no “or else”. At best we are ignored. At worst ignored and impact to relations with US.
We can’t hurt the US in any way that doesn’t hurt ourselves 100 times more.
We can’t do big stick diplomacy just no stick diplomacy.
Working with the EU gives us a small stick.
I’d love to understand how some people think calling out the US works out.
Banality of evil.
What would you do if you were the government?
They won’t answer this at all, but want to look good online when there is no actual cost.
I'd rather pick a fight tbh
.. and then what?
Because they are are pack of pussies beholden to the Shitehouse in Washington.
The country melts down because the price of a pint goes up but would be fully on board with the ramifications of picking a fight with the US
I know 2 Venezuelans personally. Both on their way to Irish citizenship. Both here because their country went from wealthy to economic basket case, in a single generation, through decades of extreme corruption and oppression. They HATE Maduro. Today, they’re literally cracking open champagne bottles . They don’t care that Trump broke international law, nor why he did it. They were absolutely beaten down and hopeless - now they’ve hope. Most of the revulsion against this action, not that it was right, seems to emanate from Russia, China and Iran. Not really Venezuelans and certainly not the Venezuelan diaspora. But then what would they know…
When you hear about “Latinos voting for Trump” in the US, a significant portion of that is Venezuelans and Cubans (and their descendants) who are hardcore anti-communist. Obviously there’s a bit of a survival bias as to who ends up inside vs outside the country; people who hate a country’s leadership are more likely to leave. But yeah, there are a lot of Venezuelans, especially in the diaspora, who are happy about this, and a lot of Cubans who are hoping for the same in Cuba (which is no doubt on Trump and Rubio’s mind).
Doesn’t make it any less illegal or any better in terms of international norms and ethics. Saddam was also a terrible, terrible person, which doesn’t make anything the US did in Iraq any better.
And decades of US sanctions and isolationism from trade infrastructure had nothing to do with the poverty of Venezuela...
What are you talking about? Venezuela has been in dire straits since the 80s oil crisis. They had a neoliberal gov implement austerity and sell off every state asset in the 90s.
A large percentage of people in most countries dislike their leaders and a large percentage of people in most countries are largely clueless about the realities of global geopolitics. Just look at ourselves, we've been one of the most prosperous and successful countries in the world over the past decade yet there's a large percentage particularly on this subreddit that think Martin and Varadkar are worse than Satan, and that's in an extremely prosperous country.
Reality is the US couldn't give the slightest shit about Venezuelan citizens and are entirely focused on their own geopolitics goals, I haven't read enough into it all to have a real opinion so far but would presume it's some play to secure more oil and to harm China's supply
I know 3 Venezuelans personally. They all love Maduro. See how easy it is to make stuff up on the internet.
Except you don't.
99% of all venezuelans living outside of venezuela hate the cunt, which you'd know if you knew any, which you dont.
Fuckology statement issued lads, relax, back to swigging down bottles of sweet sweet corporate tax.
Makes you proud to be Irish eh ?
What would you do?
Run at them with the pikes, of course.
/s
Not caveat that we are against abduction of heads of state by force maybe.
An unprovoked act of war. Maybe we could remove American cocks from our gullets for 10 seconds to I dunno actually say abducting heads of state is no Bueno
I don't see that as a caveat. I'm struggling to see how so many people in this thread are reading it as a caveat
We all know Maduro is a dictator.
But excuse me, remember when Trump tried to overturn the 2019 election?
The department I'm fairly confident never said a word.
It's 100% bending the knee. No criticism of the abduction of a head of state.
References to international law, without mentioning how it's been violated and then mentioning how Maduro is illegitimate.
Christ forbid we'd have the balls to call this out.
Like this is all just sensational nonsense. Such hyperbole being spouted and upvoted here that is just blatantly incorrect. It was heavily condemned.
Yeah, everyone in Ireland is on reddit and fully aware of the global political landscape. Everyone knows everything already just look you and I
Oh wait, now all of a sudden everyone's too thick to make a very obvious inferral
Sorry what's your point exactly?
The department has been more explicit in criticizing Maduro than the US.
The implication is international law is fungible if the Americans violate it and we kind of agree with them.
But we always agree with them. Because - checks notes - proud to be independent and sovereign 😄🙄
He's not a recognized head of state. He's a drug dealer, arms smuggler and dictator at best.
Ah so long as he's been convicted in the court of - checks notes - Donald trump's narcissistic mind
And the EU? It's not even a caveat. They're outlining their established position on the situation
Just as pathetic and owned.
At least the EU has the excuse of being over the barrel on Ukraine.
Our naivety, weakness and disunity means the Americans can do what they like.
But it's not a caveat like you said. You still haven't said anything you would do bar assuming a bit more of a statement.
I'd not have included the "but he had it coming" bit
I thought that was clear
Again, making it sound worse than it is to try make a point. They are merely stating the original EU position on the issue.
It would be stupid to not address the political context of the incident in a statement so good thing you don't write then.
Why does he need to be trialed in a court? At that level most courts are just show trial.
Yeah you're right why bother with courts when "everybody knows" who is guilty.
Pitchforks and lynching!
They'll still go to the US for Paddy's Day.
Of course, one of our largest trade partners, their gateway to the European market and lower taxes and to rub up the Irish Americans and take from their pockets.
We didn’t stop during Iraq, Vietnam or any other conflict, not going to stop now, we might get a good deal on the oil if we cradle the balls of capitalism nicely
Trump just said at a press conference that the "US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place". Trading one dictator for another. I wouldn't be surprised if Trump coronated his son as Venezuela's new strongman.
So how long before Maduro Epsteins himself?
I really don't know why we need to make a statement on this at all.
But if we do need to then why do we have to phrase it as if our foreign policy is junior to the EU?
I am no anti-EU but I really do not like to see this. We need to act like a sovereign state.
Big fat nothing
Some weird folk on here will get extremely mad about this nothing statement. Thankfully they aren't running the country
Yeah because Helen mcentee is doing such a fantastic job running the country...
Foreign affairs and trade are going pretty well id say
She is arguably the worst minister the country has ever had and should be nowhere near the position
I think I have read that about almost every minister since on this sub in the past decade or more.
We've had ministers start and lose a trade war with our closest partners (UK at the time), if you think she's the worst you're just a bit uneducated
Quite often the same types who think we are in a position to talk because of what they think is our “soft power”.
What it really says is that we hope that Mr Trump will give us some of that oil, because that's really what this about..... Oil.
As far as I know in 2020 the U.S said that Maduro and several high-ranking officials were involved in narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
I think it's strange that a country can go in and steal another president but at the end of the day this guy was a dictator but again it's not right. It's a sort of tough one to understand but I know for a fact if tomorrow morning if the US did the same to Netanyahu no one here with care they would celebrate.
There's plenty of videos online showing the venezuelans celebrating delighted that their dictator has gone(some are fake) but still it's a strange one. One minute I feel okay fair enough but then I think what does this mean for the future
The Venezuelans don’t really care how this was done by the way. They don’t care if oil is the reason, they just wanted Maduro out. I’ve a friend in Australia who’s Venezuelan and shes delighted with this. We can all spout shit about the situation but at the end of the day, it’s the Venezuelans that matter. The majority will be happy with this outcome.
Well I mean if your Venezuelan friend in Australia is cool with it then that's grand so.
Plenty of r/ireland regulars also want Martin out by any means, presumably you'd support a Russian invasion to kidnap Martin and take over the state to appease their wishes?
Afterall, Johnny randomer originally from Ireland but who lives in New Zealand because of the housing crisis wants it
Still can’t believe McEntee is overseeing the Foreign Affairs portfolio… the epitome of failing upwards.
Ok, if this is normal now, what's to stop anyone from anywhere taking a real life fugitive from israel being kidnapped and brought to justice?
Somebody ask our president what she thinks!
"We dont like it but we're too pussy to actually speak out against it" fucking cowards. We are watching history repeat itself.
Yeah, so the orange Pedo can just kidnap people and we can't even word the strongly worded letter strongly
Bit of a nothing statement.
If you want the thoughts of people who actually give a shit about this, ask your local Venezuelan friend. There's going to be a lot of celebrations tonight at least initially, because the Chavez and Maduro regimes are probably a good reason as to why they left their home to live in places like here and greater europe.
It is true, but it's not why Trump is invading, and its a bad sign for things to come. America further hurting its international relations.
So the government is not condemning US actions at all? Ah c'mon lads. The US military just rolls in, bombs the country, and kidnaps its president and then charges him with the most absurd reason - "drugs".
So, no condemnation of an illegal kidnapping? Cowardly spineless Irish Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for you.
How has ‘the peaceful negotiated transition’ technique been working for you?
>I have been in contact with [...] Kaja Kallas.
Should be read as "Kaja Kallas inserted her hand 1m into my rear and moved my tongue for me." woman is a cancer on the EU
Why is Trump going on about making Canada the 51st state, when he has one right here with an EU membership already included?
Key line being "Maduro dies not have any democratic legitimacy"
I would have thought the key element is that a country whose boots we lick has up and decided to kidnap the leader of and bomb a sovereign country in South America once again and people tacitly condoning it.
Similar to many countries across the world. You think they’ll do the same to putin next?
Why do you think they'd do Putin? Venezuela does not have nukes. Russia does. It's a very naive comment.
A good point. I expect more countries in the sights of the US will rush to develop nuclear weapons.
It's an obvious point but no one other than Iran and co are rushing for nukes. You do have to question what would've happened if Ukraine didn't surrender it's massive supply of nukes 30 years ago.
Ah good so we've thrown our lot in with the yank war machine once again. Gaza 2.0. Pathetic.
I mean this is nothing like Gaza
Where does this statement say we're with the yanks exactly?
Yeah go try this see what happens