General Discussion

highplainsdem

(60,076 posts) Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:02 PM Jan 3

Reportedly US oil companies told Trump they didn't want to return to Venezuela. I wonder if the tech bros want it.

Article from three weeks ago on US oil companies' response to Trump's plans for Venezuela:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143584206

Trump may have another very wealthy group interested, though.

We all know of the obscene plans the Trump regime and corrupt Israeli government have for turning Gaza into a high-tech district.

Similar plans have been mentioned for a demilitarized zone in Ukraine, if there ever is one.

But they're both a long way from US tech companies.

The tech bros already had plans for an economic zone or network state in Honduras:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pr%C3%B3spera

https://www.thenerdreich.com/prospera-the-network-state-and-the-new-york-times-2/

Venezuela, under a Trump dictatorship (which it will be until he installs a puppet government), could offer them much more.

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Reportedly US oil companies told Trump they didn't want to return to Venezuela. I wonder if the tech bros want it. (Original Post) highplainsdem Jan 3 OP

I don't really buy that he is in control BootinUp Jan 3 #1

He thinks he is, though. He repeated the "run the country" line so often he sounded like a broken record. Clearly highplainsdem Jan 3 #8

They'll take the oil, they just don't want to risk any capital to do so. If the US gov pays for RockRaven Jan 3 #2

I've said that to anyone who would listen Wiz Imp Jan 3 #3

I think you're onto something here SheltieLover Jan 3 #4

Well, Chevron has been there all along. markodochartaigh Jan 3 #5

The tech bros want guaranteed power for their data centers. They'd have it with that oil, and a highplainsdem Jan 3 #7

Yeah, the tech bro billionaires have had their eyes on South and Centeral America for a while. GoCubsGo Jan 3 #6

If has to appeal to them more than Gaza or a DMZ in Ukraine ever could. And they're getting highplainsdem Jan 3 #9

BootinUp

(50,961 posts)

1. I don't really buy that he is in control

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:05 PM

Jan 3

Of Venezuela. Let’s see how it plays out.

highplainsdem

(60,076 posts)

8. He thinks he is, though. He repeated the "run the country" line so often he sounded like a broken record. Clearly

Reply to BootinUp (Reply #1)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:44 PM

Jan 3

his favorite part of this.

RockRaven

(18,739 posts)

2. They'll take the oil, they just don't want to risk any capital to do so. If the US gov pays for

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:05 PM

Jan 3

everything/takes all the risk, and the oil companies keep all the profits, then they would be fine with returning.

Wiz Imp

(9,016 posts)

3. I've said that to anyone who would listen

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:06 PM

Jan 3

The US oil companies want no part of Venezuela right now because they know they can't be profitable there under the current market.

SheltieLover

(76,906 posts)

4. I think you're onto something here

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:06 PM

Jan 3

The oil companies have said no way to going back into that country.

Gawd, what a cluster.

markodochartaigh

(5,046 posts)

5. Well, Chevron has been there all along.

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:07 PM

Jan 3

To the extent that I think that it is about oil, I think that it is about control of the oil. Controlling the oil still in the ground. People seemed to believe that when Bush II invaded Iraq the oil would flow like water. That isn't what the oil companies want. They want control of the oil, now and into the future. They certainly don't want to flood the market with oil.

highplainsdem

(60,076 posts)

7. The tech bros want guaranteed power for their data centers. They'd have it with that oil, and a

Reply to markodochartaigh (Reply #5)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:17 PM

Jan 3

Venezuela under Trump's thumb could build a lot of data centers currently being opposed in the US.

The tech bros have made no secret of wanting independent network states. Trump would probably give them quasi-independence, freedom from most US regulations, to keep them as partners.

GoCubsGo

(34,674 posts)

6. Yeah, the tech bro billionaires have had their eyes on South and Centeral America for a while.

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:08 PM

Jan 3

They have dreams of a huge, controlling technostate. This gets their foot in the door.

highplainsdem

(60,076 posts)

9. If has to appeal to them more than Gaza or a DMZ in Ukraine ever could. And they're getting