Matt Smith
@aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
15 years living and working in Colombia | Former Counter Terrorist Police Officer, Infantryman and Banker | Occasional Journalist, Investigator and Analyst | MA (International Relations) UNSW, LLM USYD.
This result is a reaction to Boric who failed to deliver promised structural reforms and sowed economic chaos and uncertainty with half-hearted polices and lack of experience. Then the right used the tired old "reds under the beds" propaganda to discredit the left and create a climate of fear.
December 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
This result is a reaction to Boric who failed to deliver promised structural reforms and sowed economic chaos and uncertainty with half-hearted polices and lack of experience. Then the right used the tired old "reds under the beds" propaganda to discredit the left and create a climate of fear.
Most Gulf Coast refineries using Venezuelan heavy and extra-heavy crude for feedstock converted to lighter sweeter crude or were shuttered years ago. Those still operating use Canadian and Mexican heavy sour crude. The demand for Venezuelan heavy crude is nowhere near what the presentation claims.
December 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Most Gulf Coast refineries using Venezuelan heavy and extra-heavy crude for feedstock converted to lighter sweeter crude or were shuttered years ago. Those still operating use Canadian and Mexican heavy sour crude. The demand for Venezuelan heavy crude is nowhere near what the presentation claims.
If they are fighting in unform as part of an official unit of the armed forces of a recognised sovereign state then they are not mercenaries.
December 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
If they are fighting in unform as part of an official unit of the armed forces of a recognised sovereign state then they are not mercenaries.
It is not only Rubio's plan Trump is also seeking to topple Maduro and floated the idea of invading Venezuela a number of times during his first presidency!
December 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
It is not only Rubio's plan Trump is also seeking to topple Maduro and floated the idea of invading Venezuela a number of times during his first presidency!
According to Ukraine sources there were at the peak several hundred Colombians fighting in the country. That has dropped off significantly with most finishing their contracts, trying to terminate their contracts early or going AWOL.
December 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
According to Ukraine sources there were at the peak several hundred Colombians fighting in the country. That has dropped off significantly with most finishing their contracts, trying to terminate their contracts early or going AWOL.
Looks absolutely amazing!
November 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Looks absolutely amazing!
Splicing the footage and presenting it in such a manner that it presented a fake narrative, i.e. that Trump has engaged in seditious acts, is as about as low as any shill can go. What the BBC did mirrored the antics of the worst of the worst in the Murdoch stable of sensationalistic tabloids!
November 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Splicing the footage and presenting it in such a manner that it presented a fake narrative, i.e. that Trump has engaged in seditious acts, is as about as low as any shill can go. What the BBC did mirrored the antics of the worst of the worst in the Murdoch stable of sensationalistic tabloids!
Milei for all his regrettable as well as absurb personal behaviour and beliefs has been a godsend for Argentina's economy. His economic policy is the only way to undo the extreme boom and bust cycle created by decades of corruption, mismanagement, excessive spending and poor fiscal discipline.
October 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Milei for all his regrettable as well as absurb personal behaviour and beliefs has been a godsend for Argentina's economy. His economic policy is the only way to undo the extreme boom and bust cycle created by decades of corruption, mismanagement, excessive spending and poor fiscal discipline.
Just what the world needs more privileged middle class white men from developed nations opining about Colombia, its history and struggle from the comfort and safety of their middle class first world countries.
October 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Just what the world needs more privileged middle class white men from developed nations opining about Colombia, its history and struggle from the comfort and safety of their middle class first world countries.
Any such deal requires an admission of guilt, which Prince Andrew refuses to entertain, likely because it will not only mean a prison sentence, but civil litigation to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, which would likely bankrupt him!
October 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Any such deal requires an admission of guilt, which Prince Andrew refuses to entertain, likely because it will not only mean a prison sentence, but civil litigation to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, which would likely bankrupt him!
Ironically, it is powered by a TMI NH35 Automatic Movement made by Seiko, a Japanese company, and assembled in Malaysia!
October 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Ironically, it is powered by a TMI NH35 Automatic Movement made by Seiko, a Japanese company, and assembled in Malaysia!
Regime change under the pretext of cracking down on drug trafficking and fighting narcotics funded terrorists! Incidentally, Hezbollah, which has a significant presence in Venezuela, generates its second largest source of revenue, after funding from Iran, from narcotics, mainly cocaine, trafficking.
October 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Regime change under the pretext of cracking down on drug trafficking and fighting narcotics funded terrorists! Incidentally, Hezbollah, which has a significant presence in Venezuela, generates its second largest source of revenue, after funding from Iran, from narcotics, mainly cocaine, trafficking.
At least one of the boats attacked left from Colombia, not Venezuela. If Petro and Colombian authorities are to be believed, it was a fishing vessel crewed by Colombians.
October 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
At least one of the boats attacked left from Colombia, not Venezuela. If Petro and Colombian authorities are to be believed, it was a fishing vessel crewed by Colombians.