Quote from: theymos on January 24, 2019, 10:58:11 PM

What are your thoughts on the current situation in Venezuela? I know that Bitcoin is pretty popular there; do we have any Venezuelan forum members?

Guaidó is the most obvious CIA-backed politician I've ever seen, but Maduro is totally evil. I'd recommend that the people of Venezuela find a third option, but between the two I suppose Guaidó is probably better...?

The interventionists in the US government really want to send troops there, so they're having diplomats stand in the crossfire in the hope that an incident occurs and this can be used as an excuse to invade. If Maduro is really careful, this can maybe be avoided, and perhaps he can last a while longer. Even though the US is talking as though they'll militarily support anti-Maduro rebels, I don't think that they'll actually openly do so without something that they can say constitutes major provocation.

Whatever happens, I hope that the situation in Venezuela finally improves. From what I've heard, it's been basically a hellhole there for at least several years.

Yes, I am. Guaidó has the backing of the national assembly, the legislative branch that people voted for with opposition winning by landslide in Dec 2015. That very December, days before the term of the former assembly ended, they hastily (and illegally) put pro-maduro tugs in the judiciary branch, and then proceeded to declare the national assembly illegal, and have ruled the country by executive powers since then.

Next they rigged "elections" for a "national constituent assembly" in 2017, That day vote turn around was minimal, with most voting centers empty the whole day, yet, they declared more than 8 million voted in favor. This is a number higher not only to what Maduro supposedly got in the 2013 presidential elections, but even more than the super charismatic Chávez got in 2012 (who died in 2013).

Once installed, this "National Constituent Assembly" declared itself "above the constitution and any rule of law", and because to them there was no National Assembly took legislative powers, which is essentially anything Maduro and his group wants. So they are in fact a de facto goverment, not de jure.

In 2018 they did presidential elections, not in December as it has always traditionally been, but much earlier in may 2018. Like the previous fiasco, almost nobody showed to vote that day and, of course, he "won" by "landslide" (with 5 million according to them).

Do note the economy starting crashing the day Maduro got into power, since 2013, and living conditions have only got worse ever since. By 2018 2~4million people had already left the country (i forgot to mention this is formerly a 30million people country).

These events were not recognized by the national assembly (that Maduro doesn't recognize) and they have all this years been declaring anything done by the executive invalid, and the executive and its puppet the judiciary appointed by them directly have declared anything done by the national assembly invalid. this brings us to 2019, the last accepted by both term would technically end in January the 10th, afterwards there is no president (the vice-president is appointed by the president and ends term at the same moment).

The constitution states that, in case of absence of the executive, the president of the National Assembly becomes president interim, this is what just happened January 23th, and the reason many countries are acknowledging him as legitimate President of Venezuela.

Of course we know the United States and others have interests here, but considering how hellish the situation has been, i think they would be welcome. The economy needs a 180° turn desperately, it is pointless to give a socialist rhetoric and have the worst conditions the country has seen in a century. A change of government, to pro free market would net us a win/win situation. Continuing this agony everyone loses.

By the way, following the appointment of Juan Guaidó as President Interim by the National Assembly, he has only requested humanitarian aid to the United States. As you probably know, the US Gov has officially acknowledged Guaidó's authority. Maduro in anger, yesterday ordered everyone in the US Embassy of Caracas to leave the country by Sunday. The Trump administration refuses to move everyone out, but has already ordered non-essential personnel to leave. This incident was solely caused by Mr. Maduro and his goons.

At the same time, since Jan 22 there have been protests and demonstrations, similar to 2017 with already 36+ people killed and hundreds detained by the national guard, national police or the urban militias known as "colectivos". There have been clashes, barricades, some looting, its been chaotic especially at night in different cities. Its not widespread chaos at this moment, but with the looming crisis with the United States, people are naturally worried.

I personally expect the Maduro regime to fall into pieces very soon, his support is more show than reality, people are angry and tired, even former Chavez supporters. I think most everyone in Venezuela would welcome a government change, regardless, if only to end this disastrous economy where people are expected to survive with the equivalent of 8 USD a month that becomes 4 USD by the end of the month...

Quote from: eddie13 on January 24, 2019, 11:21:23 PM

I should probably get myself up to speed on the petro cryptocurrency and the rest of the Venezuela situation and history leading up to this situation.
I have only really been following the breaking news for the last day or so and not yet even today's news since last night.

The people of Venezuela have been in a terrible state for quite a while now so I hope that something there changes for the better.
I'm not sure about the Maduro guy keeping power through what some say was an illegitimate election, I'm not well aware of all of the aspects but he has obviously been doing a piss-poor job.

Guaidó said that one of the first things he wanted to do as president was to hold a new fair election I think. That sounds reasonable.
I joked to my GF last night that if Venezuela gets straightened out after this we should go there for oilfield work for me and marina work for her

There is not much to say about Petro, except that so far its been a giant lie (and some say State scam). It is (in its latest incarnation, the 4thish) supposedly a Dash clone, modified extensively. The (de facto) gov. has kept all nodes and mining to themselves, and don't release any wallets. All they offer is an online wallet in a single server. They are also dictating the exchange rates, just like they have done to the bolivar. The backing of "a barrel of oil" for each Petro is a promise this government is very unlikely to ever fulfill.

Unfortunately the problems are not just economic, the criminality is way out of control. A new government has this task to tackle as well. But your idea isn't far fetched, you might just want to wait some more time. Venezuela has a lot of tropical sea (beaches and islands), mountains, plains, jungle and even a sand desert, with HUGE tourism potential. Oil in the Orinoco belt is mostly super heavy that needs expensive refining, that's were most foreign companies have their drilling rigs.