This analysis seems credible. The US has depleted our Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) to ensure low gas prices AND Maduro was about to align with the BRICS, agreeing to sell oil outside of the US dollar. The new gov’t will likely agree to continue selling oil in US dollars only.
“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMnLnRkcikw”
Don
The current state of Venezuela’s oil capabilities
On the surface, Venezuela seems like an obvious choice for military and economic conquest, because of its ample oil reserves. Indeed, many sources claim Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. And this may be true, but no real money has been invested in its industry for almost 50 years.
Within the past few years, Chevron attempted to work out a deal with Venezuela, but it never really went anywhere. There was too much uncertainty.
Though Venezuela is an OPEC member, it currently produces barely one million bpds. We must put this in perspective as the United States produces about 13 million bpd to as much as 15 million bpds, depending on the definition of what is an oil equivalent.
The significance of the SPR
The United States Government and DoW could definitely take advantage of these low oil prices if it chose, currently at 20-year lows, to fill up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). However, I suspect that it’s misleading if we concentrate on observing the SPR levels, since we might be missing the larger picture.
When the SPR was initially conceived, the United States was much more dependent on foreign sources of petroleum than it is today. Before modern extraction techniques were invented, the most the United States could produce was roughly 4 million bpds. Theoretically, the United States could actually be a net exporter now. To me, what’s more important is America’s production capabilities, rather than what’s in a strategic storage facility that was conceived 50 years ago. Moreover as long as the current regime is considered friendly to the oil companies, SPR levels will mean less than if a Democrat regime took control.
Only Western interests have the resources to upgrade Venezuela’s oil industry
The Western oil companies, who are the real experts in these matters, estimate it will cost at least $50 billion to upgrade Venezuela’s oil capabilities to the point that it will be able to produce close to what it used to produce before Chavez assumed power over 30 years ago.
Of course, with Maduro effectively shut out of the western oil markets, he was willing to accept any form of currency at this point.
In a post Maduro world, Venezuela is smart here if it accepts dollars, because it’s going to be the Western oil companies that will truly do what’s necessary to upgrade Venezuela’s oil production capabilities. $50 billion in upgrades sounds like a reasonable number, given my understanding of oil e/p matters.
No other country in the world, save perhaps China, would be willing to invest that type of money. And I say perhaps. And given Venezuela’s location, China definitely would not be up to the task nor would have the desire to do so. Besides, Western oil extraction technology is far superior.
Russia and China never invested in Venezuela
Venezuela also possesses a lot of gold and other metals. It would make sense in this regard since they have not produced a lot. Thus, most of the gold Venezuela possesses is still in the ground. I can imagine the untold billions it will cost to invest in these sectors as well. Any firms investing will be basically starting from scratch.
But I recall the mining companies back in the 1990s being stiffed after making billion dollar investments in Venezuela mines only to have their mines and facilities confiscated. With Western engineering and technology then absent, everything was eventually shuttered as Chavez and Maduro couldn’t make a go of it alone, let alone with other countries involved. Nobody was willing to get involved with Venezuela. Yes, even China and Russia stayed away.
Venezuela can say that they will accept any currency, but as long as Madura was in power, no legitimate large company was ever willing to make any investment inside Venezuela’s borders.
The US dollar makes sense
The US government, backed by its powerful military, provides a stable framework from which to operate that no other sovereign nation can provide. This is especially true when we consider Russia and China.
Moreover, all of the nations surrounding Venezuela accept dollars, not only for payment, but accept dollars as a de facto transaction currency for everyday matters. The USD is used also almost exclusively in South America when it comes for long-term financing, whether it be for mortgages or for a corporate project. Thus, using the USD only makes sense and I wouldn’t accept any other form of payment.
Who is making the geopolitical decisions?
I hear that personalities in the alternative media are getting excoriated for blaming the hidden powers and that Trump is doing the work for these hidden banking powers by taking over Venezuela. My comeback is that all politicians are ultimately doing the work of the “central bank owners.”
What do I mean? As long as these politicians finance their endeavors and ambitions through a privately run central bank, they do the work of the people these alt-media personalities rail against. It doesn’t matter whether it’s left or right. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Trump or no Trump.
I mean, 20 to 30 years ago, when South America went far left and Marxist, many in the alternative media were blaming the “Zionist interests”. Now that South America is going far right, the next generation of these same personalities are blaming the same entities.
I also understand that these hidden entities are guiding the world in a certain direction, but I do not envision any scenario in which the Venezuelan military takeover is not in the best interest of the United States. In this regard, this is a win for the entire Western hemisphere.
Venezuela as a manufacturing hub
If Venezuela’s governmental transition is handled properly, I see a scenario in which Venezuela could become a manufacturing hub for Oceania, replacing Southeast Asian capacity.
With its relatively large population and easy port access to North America and beyond, I see Venezuela becoming an important nation for Oceania’s supply chain. And in terms of enhancing national security, as well as enhancing the average Venezuelan’s standard of living, I see little downside here. Ultimately, when Venezuela’s standard of living rises, all nations within its vicinity benefit.
Improving the standard of living for the average Venezuelan is not something that China could pull off, nor would the CCP desire to, because that would ultimately benefit the United States. The CCP knows how to exploit countries, but they don’t have the Western mentality of actually enhancing the lives of those who live in those countries. It doesn’t enter into their minds.
I am taking this at face value for now
Trump pulled a rabbit out of his hat, pure and simple. I’ve been analyzing these affairs for 40 years and it’s been clear that the United States government and its Western monetary interests wanted access to Venezuela for financial as well as geopolitical reasons. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so for a long time. Despite what some in the alternative media may claim, the last thing the USG wanted was an unstable and far left Venezuela, and that includes Democrat as well as Republican regimes. Trump actually had the temerity to do something about it.
My concern here is that there might be fallout, but I strongly suspect that the world is absolutely astonished at what took place. Russia may have nuclear bombs, but they absolutely do not have any type of capabilities that the United States military just put on full display. If you do notice, all the decision makers were European Caucasian. If we had mixed races and varied interests involved, this mission in Venezuela would have failed miserably.
I am certainly not a Trump shill, but geopolitically, economically, and monetarily speaking, this was definitely a big win for the United States and its future ambitions. I cannot overemphasize this.
What about Cuba?
We could say that Cuba is also a problem. But Cuba doesn’t mean much of anything anymore. They don’t have the natural resources and only have 10% of the population size. Moreover, the Cuban government can’t really get away with much of anything with regards to hostile foreign interests. Cuba can be easily monitored as to its comings and goings. Besides, if I were the head of the CCP, I wouldn’t be getting tangled up with Cuba. The United States is barely 90 miles away.
A reader asked me to clarify.
Yes. I am deliberate when I use the term Oceania. But my readers know what I am referring to.
Though geographers apply the term of Oceania to another region entirely, my usual readers know what I mean when I use the term Oceania.
In this instance, I refer to the term as used in George Orwell’s 1984. Thus, Oceania refers to the entire Western hemisphere plus the UK. From time to time it also refers to the Commonwealth nations of New Zealand and Australia, South Africa is no longer included as it has moved too far away from what it once represented.
Au and Ag will keep going up in 2026?
What’s your analysis Stone? You we always pretty well spot on on Henry’s site over the years.
Everyone seems tired of crapto. One scenario that seems to be unfolding is a BCT rally to 115k this year to complete a year-long (or so) head and shoulders, followed by a crash to 30k or lower (that’s the technical target of the HnS).
What’s not there to like? None of the catalysts that catapulted gold and silver prices higher have been eliminated. In fact, the “surprise” announcement of the Fed purchasing $40 billion a month in t bills only helps.
Like other assets, the news flow can have a short-term effect, like China loosening up export restrictions on silver, for instance.
Other than that, I think the precious metals are currently in the midst of a secular uptrend here. I like how Platinum is performing as well and it finally broke out of that long-term trading range. This also helps to provide context.
I don’t really have much more to add regarding Bitcoin. However, I am sure that there are large traders out there who would love to see a short-term collapse in its price. It would be interesting to see if these Bitcoin treasury companies, like MSTR, would be forced to unload.
I thought Bitcoin would perform more favorably with the Fed’s resumption of QE, but it’s stuck here in this range for now. Long-term, I’m still bullish on bitcoin, but not the other ones, which includes ETH. Stick with Bitcoin if you like cryptos.
Why, look at this headline! Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow if Iran unrest intensifies.
I bet he’s already packed!
Things are coming off the wagon. The entire world is sinking into the geopolitical abyss.
A beat up and demoralized Russia continues to push forward to retake the Warsaw Pact Nations. They can’t even box their way out of a paper bag.
CCP will soon look to take Taiwan. Somehow, North Korea will get involved.
Trump needs to stay focused on Venezuela and the Western hemisphere, but he’s doing the will of his slave masters and sticking his nose where it shouldn’t go.
What’s there not to like about gold and silver? If the United States wasn’t such an energy powerhouse and produces, by far, the most oil and natural gas in the world, petroleum prices would be much higher.
Right! This year is off to a rip roaring start! The metals have only just begun, seems to me.
My guess, CCP will move on Taiwan if we get into Iran. The only caveat is the CCP has no real world experience in invading a country since the North Korean war. Can they afford to risk the image they are trying to cultivate?
Here’s a bit of good news! This scam bag should be fully prosecuted! Treason anyone?
Walz Drops Out Of Governor’s Race Amid Somali Fraud Scandal
Here is a little comedic relief!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FqBm-HMTWqI
Looks like the Dept. Of War is going into the silver business!
https://www.scottsdalemint.com/articles/2026/u-s-secures-silver-smelter-deal-to-process-latam-metals/
You are right on biological Adam descendants. But I cannot help but notice of many of them at large are soyboys nowadays. God help them! Of course some are crypto Jews.
“The CCP knows how to exploit countries, but they don’t have the Western mentality of actually enhancing the lives of those who live in those countries. It doesn’t enter into their minds.“ – this is that Covenant blessing God gave to Jacob and its kids with the double blessing to Joseph’s kids through them other uncivilized people may get blessed, right? I saw this in India. Those savages were left by the British and they still in rubles. Some ways, of course.
I am glad this happened. I want Greenland to strengthen the Arctic. Make it happen, Stone!
Yes. Absolutely.
This worm has definitely turned. Prime office space is looking hot….
Office rents at Manhattan skyscrapers set to reach new heights in 2026
Steve Cuozzo
NY Post
The sky’s the limit for Manhattan skyscraper office rents, after 2025 saw a record 313 leases starting at $100 per square foot. Some industry insiders said new rents up to $250 are within reach — but also cautioned the C-Note bubble could burst.
The $100-and-up deals were done at 125 buildings, compared with the 2024 tally of 85, according to JLL’s year-end Analysis of Top Tier Transactions. The total volume of 9.9 million square feet done at such prices narrowly topped 9.8 million the previous year.
JLL declined to discuss specific tenants. But outside brokerage sources told Realty Check that SL Green’s One Vanderbilt scored the highest price on a per-square-foot basis for the second year in a row. Kyndryl, an infrastructure service provider, signed for a mind-boggling $305 psf for a minuscule 6,300 square feet.
Some industry insiders say new office rents up to $250 per square foot are within reach after a record 313 leases starting at $100 psf last year. mandritoiu – stock.adobe.com
The super-priced phenomenon rests on tenants’ desire for premium digs with high-floor views at any cost. It also reflects the robust commercial scene where strong demand and diminished supply reduced overall Manhattan availability from nearly 20% a year ago to 13.2%, as per JLL -– and much tighter on Park Avenue, the World Trade Center, and in the Hudson Yards area.
“The volume of $100-plus deals represents one-third of all Manhattan lease signings in 2025,” said JLL vice chairman and research head Cynthia Wasserberger, who wrote the report with Margaux Kelleher.
Tech, media and information industry companies dominated with 31% of all top-tier transactions.
“Rental premiums are being driven by extreme scarcity of supply, costs of new construction, and a rising-tide effect, while concessions such as free rent and tenant improvement and interior buildout contributions remain healthy,” Wasserberger said. “It is not a stretch to assume that more top-tier buildings will seek rents in the $200+ range more frequently in 2026.”
Lease signings of more than $100 psf were a third of such deals last year, according to JLL vice chairman and research head Cynthia Wasserberger. Dave Cross
The once-elusive $100 benchmark became the norm at premium locations in 2025. Top-tier rents start at least 15% pricier than for the Manhattan average of roughly $85 psf.
Among the “asks” were $120 psf at 500 Park Ave.; $105-110 psf at 75 Rockefeller Plaza; $100-plus at 330 Madison Ave.; $140 and $170 psf in different parts of 320 Park Ave.; and $135 on the 54th floor of 30 Rock.
Even so, a tenants’ broker not at JLL commented, “We might be nearing the ceiling of what rents can be obtained. I’m seeing pushback from some clients who are balking at the numbers even for very small spaces.”
330 Madison Ave. Stefano Giovannini
JLL wouldn’t identify tenants for any of the new leases. But outside brokerage and landlord sources told Realty Check the big-bucks commitments included MGX and Truist, which each signed for more than $200 per square foot at Related’s 50 Hudson Yards. Current, a mobile banking fintech service firm, paid over $100 psf at Vornado’s 2 Penn.
Others shelling out big bucks were Monday.com’s 138,399 square feet at 225-233 Park Ave. South; Bank of India’s 41,000 sf relocation to 425 Park Ave.; and Shopify’s 24,130 sf expansion at 85 Tenth Ave.
500 Park Ave. Brian Zak/NY Post
Asking rents exceed $200 psf at 9 West 57th St., where Soloviev Group announced three new tenants in 2025 totaling over 40,000 square feet — Hess Group, Beaconlight Capital, and Platinum Equity Advisors.
At the Seagram Building at 375 Park Ave., where rents also start at $200, a renewal and expansion by Mubadala Investment was reported in the $250 psf range.
50 Hudson Yards. Christopher Sadowski
JLL’s Wasserberger predicted, “As space availability continues to tighten, rents will increase for top space even as new construction reaches the market.
But she cautioned, “The question is whether tenants will continue to find these rents sustainable, or if they will seek alternatives.”
Or as the Trump administration now says, not anymore!
The US just walked in like Panama and decapitated the regime. That buys 20 years of unconditional compliance in South America I figure.
On a historical note. It’s interesting that Brazils capital was build so far inland, Australias too. Good state military planning to make it harder to decapitate the government. That wouldn’t have been possible I figure if they had to fly 300 miles inland.
Rubio on US controlling its backyard
https://x.com/theblaze/status/2007834816591589808
This is why Rubio was chosen to be Secretary of State. That is a very high position in the cabinet and he’s the perfect choice for a spanish-speaking world. We discussed this when Rubio was chosen.
Just another observation here. I am impressed at the tight coordination of the Trump administration here. All of the players are on board with no dissension. I have never seen this before.
He surely is competent and speaks Spanish with command exactly the same way he speaks in English.
That said he is a closet bisexual, formally known to attend foam parties at Miami. But work is pristine, we shall see.
You mean he’s compromised…
Regarding the video, I believe the U.S has defended the dollar via the military before. Look at Libya with Momar or Iraq and Saddam for example. Both countries were making plans to ditch the dollar.
Although, it seems obvious this move was about the Monroe Doctrine and natural resources which stopped China and Brics, perhaps for similar reasons.
The USA has always used it’s military to defend our interests, going back to protecting shipping lanes from pirates under Thomas Jefferson.
I’ve been observing that the United States government and its military seem to be more concerned about Western hemispheric affairs and not defending the dollar around the world. I suspect the United States is going to concentrate on it’s national and economic security by condensing the supply chain to the Western hemisphere. Securing Venezuela goes a very long way. I mean a very long way.
With all the Venezuela news, don’t forget to watch the silver open in China tonight and in the states tomorrow. It might be very interesting!
Venezuela has a lot of silver
Neo Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny, fourth rock turn, you name it. Beautiful words.