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Full play-by-play of Trump's Venezuela invasion press conference here:

Dave Keating@davekeating.substack.com

Trump at his press conference on the #Venezuela invasion just now: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. We don't want someone else to get in and we have the same situation."

Now that it has been made clear that this isn't simply a leader kidnapping but actually a full-on invasion and occupation of a sovereign state, our European leaders who said they were "closely monitoring the situation" have apparently now gone into hiding.

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Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez is 1st European leader to make a stronger statement following Trump's press conference where he said the US will run Venezuela and take its oil. Sanchez has been ostracised by other 🇪🇺 leaders for his past criticism of Trump. Will they listen to him now?

apparently the French government too (foreign minister) now with stronger negative statements. Our very own indomitable MA StrackZi also, but she may not be too relevant anymore

Benieuwd of Spanje het enige statement wil maken wat echt pijn doet: afzeggen voor het WK maar dannnn “sport en politiek uit elkaar houden”. Hoop geblaat en woorden, wat willen ze doen tegen Amerika?

Even after watching Trump's press conference openly admitting 🇺🇸has invaded Venezuela in order to run it and take its oil, 🇫🇷President Macron has released a statement appearing to endorse US actions (as opposed to Le Pen who condemned 🇺🇸invasion). Where does this leave Europe's credibility on Ukraine?

Not sure he endorsed the action He raised hope for Venezuelans, did NOT endorse trump or u.s. running country/stealing the oil Rather Endorsed winner of 2024 election take control asap for stability Just cuz Macron didn't overtly *condemn* I didn't read endorsed trump or his actions at all

Canada has also let us all down in this. Are these European leaders going to be singing the same tune when Emperor Trump comes for them? He's already threatened NATO members Denmark and Canada. Beyond shameful.

OK we can see the way this is going. Sanchez is out in the political wilderness again in his wilingness to criticise Trump. Germany's chancellor apparently watched that press conference and decided it's "complex and requires careful consideration". They're all falling into line.

The Netherlands: "(The NL) does not recognize the Maduro regime and suggests a return to democracy as fast as possible. NL calls on all parties to avoid further escalation and to follow international law."

🇮🇹PM Meloni sounds same as Macron, Starmer & Merz in giving stamp of approval to 🇺🇸invasion of Venezuela (though she's going extra step pretending she believes absurd claim that this is about drug trafficking) Throughout Europe, only opposition figures are criticising 🇺🇸. Anyone in power is too scared

A very slight difference between Merz and Macron. Merz says "the objective is an orderly transition", Macron "the upcoming transition must be peaceful" implying there will be a transition, which is not certain. As often Macron knows how to be one notch less insightful.