Matt Smith
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aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Matt Smith
@aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
12 followers 9 following 140 posts
15 years living and working in Colombia | Occasional Journalist, Investigator and Analyst | MA (International Relations) UNSW, LLM USYD.
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aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Why Venezuela’s Oil Comeback Is Proving Harder Than Trump Expected #Venezuela #Oil #CrudeOil #Geopolitics #Trump #UnitedStates #Exxon #OrinocoBelt #HeavyOil #Petroleum

oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Why Venezuela’s Oil Comeback Is Proving Harder Than Trump Expected | OilPrice.com
Despite U.S. pressure following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s severely degraded oil infrastructure, environmental damage, and massive capital needs are deterring energy majors from returning.
oilprice.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:32 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Colombia’s Fiscal Crisis Is Deepening Under President Petro #Colombia #Petro #SouthAmerica #FinancialCrisis #Geopolitics #FiscalCrisis #BudgetDeficit

oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Colombia’s Fiscal Crisis Is Deepening Under President Petro | OilPrice.com
Colombia is sliding toward a full-blown fiscal and economic crisis as rising violence, falling oil output, collapsing foreign investment, and repeated tax hikes under President Gustavo Petro strain pu...
oilprice.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:32 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
How the Seizure of Maduro Secured Guyana's Oil Boom #Venezuela #Guyana #Maduro #Trump #UnitedStates #geopolitics #oil #oilandgas #SouthAmerica

oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
How the Seizure of Maduro Secured Guyana's Oil Boom | OilPrice.com
Guyana’s meteoric rise into a global oil powerhouse unfolded under the constant threat of Venezuelan territorial aggression, with U.S. intervention ultimately securing the future of one of the world’s...
oilprice.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:19 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
How Venezuela Went from U.S. Ally to National Security Threat
#Venezuela #UnitedStates #Washington #Caracas #geopolitics #Oil #oilandgas #petroleum #SouthAmerica #nationalsecurity #ally #anticommunist

oilprice.com/Energy/Crude...
How Venezuela Went from U.S. Ally to National Security Threat | OilPrice.com
Venezuela's relationship with the United States shifted dramatically from a staunch Cold War ally and key oil supplier to a geopolitical adversary following oil nationalization, economic collapse, and...
oilprice.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Matt Smith
londomomposino.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Brutal, vibrant and creative: capturing the soul of Latin America in 100 photographs
The journalist and historian Paulo Antonio Paranaguá uses images from the turbulent continent to weave a history of the region, covering colonisation, slavery and dictatorship
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:16 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
From Diaspora to Drug Ring: How Hezbollah Built Its Colombian Base @state-department.bsky.social #Colombia #Hezbollah #terrorism #cocaine #SouthAmerica #UnitedStates #WhiteHouse #Geopolitics #Petro #Iran

oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
From Diaspora to Drug Ring: How Hezbollah Built Its Colombian Base | OilPrice.com
Hezbollah has leveraged historical diaspora ties and the chaos of Colombia's internal conflict to build a transnational criminal network centered on cocaine trafficking and arms smuggling, significant...
oilprice.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Why Colombia's Cocaine Production Keeps Setting New Records
#Colombia #Trump #cocaine #geopolitics #SouthAmerica #drugs #coca #Petro #FARC #peacedeal #Bogota #Washington

oilprice.com/Geopolitics/...
Why Colombia's Cocaine Production Keeps Setting New Records | OilPrice.com
Despite decades of U.S. aid and successive government strategies, Colombia’s cocaine production has reached record highs due to failed peace processes, policy changes, and the fragmentation of crimina...
oilprice.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:43 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
The Truth Behind Trump's Aggressive Venezuela Strategy #Venezuela #Trump #Invasion #Maduro #Oil #SouthAmerica #Geopolitics #UnitedStates #SouthernSpear oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
The Truth Behind Trump's Aggressive Venezuela Strategy | OilPrice.com
Rising US domestic oil production and a contracting refining sector undermine claims by Latin American leaders that Washington's military pressure on Venezuela is a strategic attempt to seize the coun...
oilprice.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
U.S. Military Buildup Raises Fears of Conflict With Venezuela #Venezuela #Trump #Invasion #Maduro #War #SouthAmerica #GeopoliticalRisk

oilprice.com/Geopolitics/...
U.S. Military Buildup Raises Fears of Conflict With Venezuela | OilPrice.com
The U.S. has assembled its largest Latin American military deployment in decades to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, raising fears of escalation as foreign backers and armed groups bolster the regime.
oilprice.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Colombia’s Oil Industry Faces an Existential Crisis
#Colombia #oil #oilandgas #SouthAmerica #geopolitics #oilreserves #renewableenergy #ecopetrol
oilprice.com/Energy/Crude...
Colombia’s Oil Industry Faces an Existential Crisis | OilPrice.com
Colombia’s rapidly depleting oil reserves and anti-exploration policies under President Gustavo Petro are driving the country’s petroleum industry - and broader economy - toward crisis.
oilprice.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
How Hezbollah Is Sparking Instability In Latin America #Venezuela #Colombia #Trump #Hezbollah #Lebanon #cocaine #SouthAmerica #geopolitics oilprice.com/Geopolitics/...
How Hezbollah Is Sparking Instability In Latin America | OilPrice.com
Hezbollah has established a notable presence in Latin America to take advantage of the highly profitable illicit opportunities, including cocaine trade
oilprice.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Terrorists, Cocaine, And Power: A War Within Venezuela #Venezuela #SouthAmerica #Hezbollah #Terrorists #Narcoterrorism #Trump #geopolitics #Maduro #cocaine

oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Terrorists, Cocaine, And Power: A War Within Venezuela | OilPrice.com
For decades, Hezbollah has held influence in Latin America, and as the country collapses and it becomes a hub for transnational crime, the terrorist organization is flourishing
oilprice.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
A "dark fleet" of tankers supplied by allies Iran, Russia and China assisted Venezuela's autocratic President Maduro to defeat US sanctions.

Venezuela’s Secret Weapon: A “Dark Fleet” Of Oil Tankers #Venezuela #Trump #geopolitics #sanctions #SouthAmerica #oil #oilandgas
oilprice.com/Energy/Crude...
Venezuela’s Secret Weapon: A “Dark Fleet” Of Oil Tankers | OilPrice.com
Venezuela’s oil vessel “dark fleet” has been pivotal in reviving its economy by facilitating the export of its oil in contravention of U.S. sanctions
oilprice.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
How Hezbollah Is Exploiting Cocaine, Corruption, and Chaos in Venezuela #Venezuela #cocaine #SouthAmerica #geopolitics #Trump #US #hezbollah #Colombia #narcoterrorism oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
How Hezbollah Is Exploiting Cocaine, Corruption, and Chaos in Venezuela | OilPrice.com
Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, has a growing presence in South America, exploiting weak states and cocaine trafficking to finance its activities.
oilprice.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Soaring Cocaine Shipments Weigh On U.S.-Colombia Alliance #Colombia #Trump #cocaine #geopolitics #Petro #oil #oilandgas #UnitedStates #SouthAmerica #Venezuela #narcotrafficking #cocainetrafficking oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Soaring Cocaine Shipments Weigh On U.S.-Colombia Alliance | OilPrice.com
Soaring cocaine production in Colombia, exacerbated by President Petro's policies and the cessation of aerial spraying, is straining the historically close alliance with the United States and contribu...
oilprice.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Ecuador’s Declining Oil Output Threatens to Spark an Economic Crisis #Oil #Petroleum #Ecuador #geopolitics #economics #SouthAmerica #oilandgas #DanielNoboa oilprice.com/Energy/Crude...
Ecuador’s Declining Oil Output Threatens to Spark an Economic Crisis | OilPrice.com
Ecuador's vital oil industry is in a sharp decline, leading to a deepening economic crisis with soaring fiscal deficits and increasing national debt.
oilprice.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:29 AM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Cocaine Boom Pushes U.S.-Colombia Ties to Breaking Point Under Trump #Colombia #cocaine #Trump #oil #SouthAmerica #geopolitics oilprice.com/Geopolitics/...
Cocaine Boom Pushes U.S.-Colombia Ties to Breaking Point Under Trump | OilPrice.com
The Trump administration has decertified Colombia as a drug war partner for the first time in nearly three decades, citing record cocaine production and failures under President Gustavo Petro.
oilprice.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:56 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Essequibo Tensions Rise as Trump Engages in Gunboat Diplomacy #Venezuela #Essequibo #Guyana #Oil #oilandgas #geopolitics #Trump #WhiteHouse #USNavy #SouthAmerica oilprice.com/Energy/Crude...
Essequibo Tensions Rise as Trump Engages in Gunboat Diplomacy | OilPrice.com
The dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the mineral-rich Essequibo region has escalated due to ExxonMobil's oil discoveries, leading to heightened tensions and U.S. involvement.
oilprice.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Big Oil Abandons Colombia Amid Rising Chaos and Fiscal Crisis #BigOil #oil #oilandgas #Colombia #SouthAmerica #geopolitics oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Big Oil Abandons Colombia Amid Rising Chaos and Fiscal Crisis | OilPrice.com
Political risk, tax hikes, security crises, and anti-fossil fuel policies are driving global energy supermajors to abandon Colombia’s oil industry, deepening the nation’s economic and energy woes.
oilprice.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Cocaine Boom Pushes U.S.-Colombia Ties to Breaking Point Under Trump #Colombia #geopolitics #cocaine #Trump #UnitedStates #decertification
oilprice.com/Geopolitics/...
Cocaine Boom Pushes U.S.-Colombia Ties to Breaking Point Under Trump | OilPrice.com
The Trump administration has decertified Colombia as a drug war partner for the first time in nearly three decades, citing record cocaine production and failures under President Gustavo Petro.
oilprice.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Dwindling Gas Reserves Threaten Colombia's Economy and Power Grid #Colombia #naturalgas #oil #hydrocarbons #SouthAmerica #geopolitics #energycrisis oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Dwindling Gas Reserves Threaten Colombia's Economy and Power Grid | OilPrice.com
Colombia is facing a severe energy crisis due to declining natural gas production, dwindling reserves, and policies that are increasing its reliance on imported liquefied natural gas.
oilprice.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:47 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Ecuador’s Oil Industry Hit with Worst Environmental Disaster in Decades #Geopolitics #Oil #Oilspills #Ecuador #SouthAmerica #OilandGas oilprice.com/Energy/Crude...
Ecuador’s Oil Industry Hit with Worst Environmental Disaster in Decades | OilPrice.com
Ecuador's oil industry is grappling with a severe environmental disaster, marked by declining production, corroded infrastructure, frequent oil spills, and government inaction, leading to widespread p...
oilprice.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Will Trump’s Gunboat Diplomacy Against Venezuela Backfire? #Venezuela #Trump #Geopolitics #War #Oil #Petroleum #Colombia #SouthAmerica
oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...
Will Trump’s Gunboat Diplomacy Against Venezuela Backfire? | OilPrice.com
President Trump is employing gunboat diplomacy and increased military presence in the Southern Caribbean to pressure Venezuela's dictatorial regime, following the failure of sanctions and diplomacy to...
oilprice.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Matt Smith
londomomposino.bsky.social
Fear and Hope in Venezuela as U.S. Warships Lurk www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/w...
Fear and Hope in Venezuela as U.S. Warships Lurk
www.nytimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
aliaslaantipoda.bsky.social
Cocaine Boom Pushes U.S.-Colombia Ties to Breaking Point Under Trump
#Colombia #Cocaine #Trump #SouthAmerica #Geopolitics

oilprice.com/Geopolitics/...
Cocaine Boom Pushes U.S.-Colombia Ties to Breaking Point Under Trump | OilPrice.com
The Trump administration has decertified Colombia as a drug war partner for the first time in nearly three decades, citing record cocaine production and failures under President Gustavo Petro.
oilprice.com
September 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM