US operation in Venezuela now over, according to US senator

The US military operation has now ended, according to a US senator. Republican Senator Mike Lee stated early Saturday morning that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed him of this in a telephone call. Rubio expects "no further action in Venezuela" following Maduro's capture....

Germans smell cheap oil.

EU Supports Transitional Government

European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas has stated that the EU will work towards a peaceful transfer of power, as President Nicolás Maduro lacks legitimacy. The principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected, Kallas said.

The EU is monitoring the situation on the ground and is committed to ensuring the safety of all EU citizens in Venezuela. Kallas has also already spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking but NATO are the good guys cos ?

trumplecúntskin's actions have very little to do with Venezuela

I don't like what you say but I'll defend your right to say it

That happens to me sometimes.

Better if he was in a cell in The Hague awaiting trial by the ICC

What happened to the Germany that stood up to the US in their unprovoked invasion of Iraq?

Trump: We have arrested Venezuelan dictator Maduro

Cowardly bombing, no troops on the ground?

Low-flying aircraft spotted: Powerful explosions in Venezuela's capital

Caracas - Several powerful explosions rocked Venezuela's capital, Caracas, early Saturday morning (local time). Residents reported low-flying aircraft and at least seven detonations. There is reportedly no power in the southern part of Caracas, near a large military base.

According to an AFP journalist, the first explosions occurred around 2:00 a.m. (7:00 a.m. CET). The noise was still ongoing at 2:15 a.m. Another explosion was felt in Caracas at 2:38 a.m.

Images of large fires with plumes of smoke were posted on social media. However, it was not possible to determine the exact location of the images. The explosions apparently occurred in the south and east of the Venezuelan capital.

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A Chinese prince might be better than an American cowboy.

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A Digital World Shaped by Others

Let's be blunt. Recent data shows that between 80% and 94% of European tech companies rely on US infrastructure. In the UK, it's 94%, and in France, 80%. Even the Spanish banking and energy sectors are 100% dependent. Also, 69% of Europe's cloud market is held by US firms, with only 13% domestic share.This isn't nuance, it's dependence.

This dependency means European business, governance, and infrastructure are subject to US rules, legalities, and political ripples (CLOUD Act, FISC, export controls). Even pro-sovereignty strategies like Gaia‑X or EuroStack remain embryonic.If that dynamic doesn't change, our fate is tied forever to US strategic interests....

And of course we can live without Palantir and surveillance

...Europe has a significant and growing dependency on US high-tech, especially in cloud computing (US firms hold ~70% market share), software, AI, and digital infrastructure, creating risks for digital sovereignty, data access (CLOUD Act), and economic competition, prompting EU efforts towards strategic autonomy through initiatives like Gaia-X and increased investment in domestic innovation.

This reliance extends to critical sectors like banking, energy, and even defense, with European tech investment lagging behind US counterparts.

Key Areas of Dependence

Cloud & Software: US giants (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) dominate the EU cloud market, with European providers holding minimal share.

Digital Infrastructure: High reliance on US tech for core digital backbone, from telecom components to submarine cables.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Europe lags in AI development, relying heavily on US advancements, notes.

Semiconductors: Dependence on foreign supply chains, including the US and China, for crucial chips.

Cybersecurity & Surveillance: Use of US software for law enforcement and intelligence (e.g., Palantir).

Defense: Reliance on US software and systems for advanced weaponry (e.g., F-35, Aegis system).