Ben Barclay
@benbarclay.bsky.social
Translator and textbook writer. Post on climate, energy, health, Spain, Brexit and other stuff.
Produce VoiceMap audio tours of Andalucía: https://voicemap.me/publisher/ben-barclay#tours
https://andalucia-bound.com
@andalucia-bound.bsky.social
Produce VoiceMap audio tours of Andalucía: https://voicemap.me/publisher/ben-barclay#tours
https://andalucia-bound.com
@andalucia-bound.bsky.social
Pinned
Ben Barclay
@benbarclay.bsky.social
· Dec 31
It’s been a year of ups and too many downs for the world, but on a personal level it’s been fantastic criss-crossing Andalucia to research and test 7 new audio tours.
Here’s a quick reminder why you should visit these 7 fantastic places even if you have no interest in doing one of my tours.
🧵
Here’s a quick reminder why you should visit these 7 fantastic places even if you have no interest in doing one of my tours.
🧵
No shit, it’s complicated taking over a large country. But you were the ones claiming you were running it after extracting two people.
BRENNAN: You're describing the regime as still in place. I'm confused why the Trump admin only arrested Maduro. The chief thug who controls the police & has $25m price on his head is still in place
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
January 4, 2026 at 4:18 PM
No shit, it’s complicated taking over a large country. But you were the ones claiming you were running it after extracting two people.
We went to this temporary art exhibition the day before yesterday, and as well as seeing the paintings, it was a chance to get inside the old San Juan de Dios, which has been closed for refurbishment for years.
The exhibition, which is called Mantones y Mantillas en la Pintura Granadina, is about the importance of shawls in paintings by Granadan artists.
It features works by Apperley, Lopez Mezquita, Soria Aedo and Carazo Martinez, many of which come from the privately owned Casa Ajsaris collection.
2/
It features works by Apperley, Lopez Mezquita, Soria Aedo and Carazo Martinez, many of which come from the privately owned Casa Ajsaris collection.
2/
January 4, 2026 at 1:25 PM
We went to this temporary art exhibition the day before yesterday, and as well as seeing the paintings, it was a chance to get inside the old San Juan de Dios, which has been closed for refurbishment for years.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
"This was an assertion of American power.. and a message to others.. who might want to stand up against American power"
The ex head of MI6 spelling it out.
The ex head of MI6 spelling it out.
January 4, 2026 at 11:20 AM
"This was an assertion of American power.. and a message to others.. who might want to stand up against American power"
The ex head of MI6 spelling it out.
The ex head of MI6 spelling it out.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Latest Substack - on how it can be true that Russia is not inevitably winning in Ukraine, and can still pose an existential threat to Europe
open.substack.com/pub/sianushk...
open.substack.com/pub/sianushk...
What are we talking about, when we talk about the threat?
Russia, war, and the threat to Europe
open.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Latest Substack - on how it can be true that Russia is not inevitably winning in Ukraine, and can still pose an existential threat to Europe
open.substack.com/pub/sianushk...
open.substack.com/pub/sianushk...
Possible reasons for Venezuela action:
1. Macho posturing: look, we can do what we like.
2. Donroe: this is our patch, don’t interfere.
2. Mafia shakedown: nice country you have there…
4. Commercial interests: oil.
5. Ideological: replace left with right.
6. Cuba: weaken Ven, weaken Cuba.
1/2
1. Macho posturing: look, we can do what we like.
2. Donroe: this is our patch, don’t interfere.
2. Mafia shakedown: nice country you have there…
4. Commercial interests: oil.
5. Ideological: replace left with right.
6. Cuba: weaken Ven, weaken Cuba.
1/2
January 4, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Possible reasons for Venezuela action:
1. Macho posturing: look, we can do what we like.
2. Donroe: this is our patch, don’t interfere.
2. Mafia shakedown: nice country you have there…
4. Commercial interests: oil.
5. Ideological: replace left with right.
6. Cuba: weaken Ven, weaken Cuba.
1/2
1. Macho posturing: look, we can do what we like.
2. Donroe: this is our patch, don’t interfere.
2. Mafia shakedown: nice country you have there…
4. Commercial interests: oil.
5. Ideological: replace left with right.
6. Cuba: weaken Ven, weaken Cuba.
1/2
Reposted by Ben Barclay
The government’s had 24 hours to agree a line on this. There are obviously diplomatic reasons they might not condemn things as forcefully as many of us would like.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
January 4, 2026 at 10:18 AM
The government’s had 24 hours to agree a line on this. There are obviously diplomatic reasons they might not condemn things as forcefully as many of us would like.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
But this weird “we respect international law but won’t say anything further” line is nonsensical and cannot hold.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Trump evidently *wants* US companies to take Venezuelan oil.
The big question is whether they actually want it: it’s horrible quality, needs billions of investment, the US has loads of domestic oil and gas now, and global oil prices are low. Plus imagine trying to secure operations in Venezuela.
The big question is whether they actually want it: it’s horrible quality, needs billions of investment, the US has loads of domestic oil and gas now, and global oil prices are low. Plus imagine trying to secure operations in Venezuela.
I don't think any US company is going to go near it unless they have some idea of political stability, security guarantees but most of all govt subsidies to rebuild its entire oil sector.
Trump stated yesterday that companies will only be reimbursed after investing billions first (lol, right)
Trump stated yesterday that companies will only be reimbursed after investing billions first (lol, right)
January 4, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Trump evidently *wants* US companies to take Venezuelan oil.
The big question is whether they actually want it: it’s horrible quality, needs billions of investment, the US has loads of domestic oil and gas now, and global oil prices are low. Plus imagine trying to secure operations in Venezuela.
The big question is whether they actually want it: it’s horrible quality, needs billions of investment, the US has loads of domestic oil and gas now, and global oil prices are low. Plus imagine trying to secure operations in Venezuela.
To me, Maduro’s kidnapping has illustrated the strengths of Bluesky. Lots of disagreement on the exact causes and consequences, as is only natural in a complex situation like this, but most of the discussion has been civil and constructive.
I’ve certainly learnt a lot from other people’s postings.
I’ve certainly learnt a lot from other people’s postings.
January 4, 2026 at 10:29 AM
To me, Maduro’s kidnapping has illustrated the strengths of Bluesky. Lots of disagreement on the exact causes and consequences, as is only natural in a complex situation like this, but most of the discussion has been civil and constructive.
I’ve certainly learnt a lot from other people’s postings.
I’ve certainly learnt a lot from other people’s postings.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Keir Starmer says it is in Britain’s interests to “align more closely with the EU single market” and “we should”.
Interestingly this is one of his most passionate answers in a long interview.
I think we can expect movement on this issue in 2026. Brexit still remains an unsettled matter.
Interestingly this is one of his most passionate answers in a long interview.
I think we can expect movement on this issue in 2026. Brexit still remains an unsettled matter.
January 4, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Keir Starmer says it is in Britain’s interests to “align more closely with the EU single market” and “we should”.
Interestingly this is one of his most passionate answers in a long interview.
I think we can expect movement on this issue in 2026. Brexit still remains an unsettled matter.
Interestingly this is one of his most passionate answers in a long interview.
I think we can expect movement on this issue in 2026. Brexit still remains an unsettled matter.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
the chavista Supreme Court, a rubber stamp for the big boys in the regime, makes Delcy acting President, meanwhile serious ppl write articles about how the US will govern Venezuela, this is all weird
Directo | El Supremo de Venezuela ordena que Delcy Rodríguez se convierta en presidenta encargada
Directo | El Supremo de Venezuela ordena que Delcy Rodríguez se convierta en presidenta encargada
EEUU bombardeó Venezuela en la madrugada de este sábado y secuestró a su presidente, Nicolás Maduro, y su esposa.
www.publico.es
January 4, 2026 at 9:23 AM
the chavista Supreme Court, a rubber stamp for the big boys in the regime, makes Delcy acting President, meanwhile serious ppl write articles about how the US will govern Venezuela, this is all weird
Reposted by Ben Barclay
I think European leaders in failing to condemn the US invasion of Venezuela out of some fear of provoking Trump’s ire are missing the point that (a) Trump clearly doesn’t care what they think anyway, (b) Trump couldn’t hold them in more contempt anyway. /1
January 4, 2026 at 8:18 AM
I think European leaders in failing to condemn the US invasion of Venezuela out of some fear of provoking Trump’s ire are missing the point that (a) Trump clearly doesn’t care what they think anyway, (b) Trump couldn’t hold them in more contempt anyway. /1
I partly agree with this. But I think it underplays the role of others in the Trump inner circle who did want regime change.
Rubio, Miller and Hegseth all have different motives for toppling Maduro.
Rubio, Miller and Hegseth all have different motives for toppling Maduro.
I think what China understood and the rest of the world has been slow to do is that Trump is running a protection racket more than a trade or foreign policy.
He wants the payoffs more than the invasion or regime change.
He wants the payoffs more than the invasion or regime change.
January 4, 2026 at 8:15 AM
I partly agree with this. But I think it underplays the role of others in the Trump inner circle who did want regime change.
Rubio, Miller and Hegseth all have different motives for toppling Maduro.
Rubio, Miller and Hegseth all have different motives for toppling Maduro.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Gabriele Münter (1877-1962), German Expressionist painter who was at the forefront of the Munich avant-garde in the early 20th century #WomensArt
January 4, 2026 at 5:33 AM
Gabriele Münter (1877-1962), German Expressionist painter who was at the forefront of the Munich avant-garde in the early 20th century #WomensArt
Reposted by Ben Barclay
The President is literally endorsing the crazy conspiracy reasoning of a multiple murderer. An assassin.
Is running Venezuela putting him over the edge?
Think of how Melissa’s and Mark’s family feel when they see this. But that’s the point, the President doesn’t care.
Is running Venezuela putting him over the edge?
Think of how Melissa’s and Mark’s family feel when they see this. But that’s the point, the President doesn’t care.
Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
January 4, 2026 at 4:27 AM
The President is literally endorsing the crazy conspiracy reasoning of a multiple murderer. An assassin.
Is running Venezuela putting him over the edge?
Think of how Melissa’s and Mark’s family feel when they see this. But that’s the point, the President doesn’t care.
Is running Venezuela putting him over the edge?
Think of how Melissa’s and Mark’s family feel when they see this. But that’s the point, the President doesn’t care.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
January 3, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: "International law is universal and binding for all states. The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law."
European leaders have been very weak in their criticism of Trump. Their defenders say they are not endorsing Trump, which is true, but the charge against most 30s politicians is not that they endorsed Hitler and Mussolini, but that they appeased them.
January 3, 2026 at 9:36 PM
European leaders have been very weak in their criticism of Trump. Their defenders say they are not endorsing Trump, which is true, but the charge against most 30s politicians is not that they endorsed Hitler and Mussolini, but that they appeased them.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
NOT.A.REGIME.CHANGE
Venezuela’s military and political leadership held a crisis meeting chaired by acting president Delcy Rodríguez. Following the session, a nationwide state of emergency was declared, granting expanded powers to the military and security services amid the ongoing turmoil.
January 3, 2026 at 9:11 PM
NOT.A.REGIME.CHANGE
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Beijing on the U.S. move against Venezuela: "China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state." Beijing on Russia's invasion of Ukraine: "We call on all sides to exercise restraint." 🙃 www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt...
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference on February 24, 2022
www.mfa.gov.cn
January 3, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Beijing on the U.S. move against Venezuela: "China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state." Beijing on Russia's invasion of Ukraine: "We call on all sides to exercise restraint." 🙃 www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt...
We had this with Iraq and Afghanistan too. And Cuba, famously.
Hey Siri, what is selection bias?
@wlrnnews.bsky.social
Venezuelans interviewed in Weston and Doral — cities with the largest concentration of Venezuelan-Americans in the U.S. — said they are ecstatic over Maduro’s ouster, and are hopeful of a promising future.
Venezuelans interviewed in Weston and Doral — cities with the largest concentration of Venezuelan-Americans in the U.S. — said they are ecstatic over Maduro’s ouster, and are hopeful of a promising future.
January 3, 2026 at 8:50 PM
We had this with Iraq and Afghanistan too. And Cuba, famously.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
It’s a very weak statement. I don’t think it’s an explicit backing of Trump’s attack – if anything, the reference to international law indicates not backing it – but I do think Starmer has probably pulled off the trick of being sufficiently vague as to annoy both the US government and its critics.
Keir Starmer explicitly backs Trump's attack on Venezuela.
Says he has "long supported" getting rid of Maduro, who is an "illegitimate President" and "we shed no tears about the end of his regime".
Says he has "long supported" getting rid of Maduro, who is an "illegitimate President" and "we shed no tears about the end of his regime".
January 3, 2026 at 8:48 PM
It’s a very weak statement. I don’t think it’s an explicit backing of Trump’s attack – if anything, the reference to international law indicates not backing it – but I do think Starmer has probably pulled off the trick of being sufficiently vague as to annoy both the US government and its critics.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
Maybe to add nuance, I think the idea is: "take the oil" is a subset of the broader project of hemispheric dominance. That Trump has announced so many different rationales (drugs, gangs, oil nationalization, illegitimate leader, etc) underscores an overarching "I do what I want" principle.
January 3, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Maybe to add nuance, I think the idea is: "take the oil" is a subset of the broader project of hemispheric dominance. That Trump has announced so many different rationales (drugs, gangs, oil nationalization, illegitimate leader, etc) underscores an overarching "I do what I want" principle.
Reposted by Ben Barclay
European weakness on full display by these horribly contorted responses from Merz, Macron and Starmer - neither condoning nor condemning US actions in Venezuela
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
January 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
European weakness on full display by these horribly contorted responses from Merz, Macron and Starmer - neither condoning nor condemning US actions in Venezuela
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Such weakness only risks making the Europeans more vulnerable (ie Greenland)
Reposted by Ben Barclay
VP Delcy Rodriguez, whom Trump indicated earlier today was collaborating with the US government, is live on television right now.
Earlier reports that she's in Russia are false. She's in Caracas with the rest of the cabinet.
Rodriguez: "We will never again be a colony for any empire"
Earlier reports that she's in Russia are false. She's in Caracas with the rest of the cabinet.
Rodriguez: "We will never again be a colony for any empire"
January 3, 2026 at 7:17 PM
VP Delcy Rodriguez, whom Trump indicated earlier today was collaborating with the US government, is live on television right now.
Earlier reports that she's in Russia are false. She's in Caracas with the rest of the cabinet.
Rodriguez: "We will never again be a colony for any empire"
Earlier reports that she's in Russia are false. She's in Caracas with the rest of the cabinet.
Rodriguez: "We will never again be a colony for any empire"
Reposted by Ben Barclay
So can we just chuck out any idea that this was in any way about the Venezuelan people, and installing the legitimately elected government from 2024.
They're not admitting, they're bragging.
They're not admitting, they're bragging.
Trump: "There is nobody to take over. You have a vice president who has been appointed by Maduro. She's I guess the president. She was sworn in just a little while ago. She had a long conversation with Marco and she said, 'We'll do whatever you need.' She really doesn't have a choice."
January 3, 2026 at 5:46 PM
So can we just chuck out any idea that this was in any way about the Venezuelan people, and installing the legitimately elected government from 2024.
They're not admitting, they're bragging.
They're not admitting, they're bragging.
Think the presser confirms the commercial angle. Want oil republics to be the new banana republics.
There will be a lot of pressure on the rest of the world not to transition away from oil. Backed by threats.
There will be a lot of pressure on the rest of the world not to transition away from oil. Backed by threats.
I don’t buy that this is continuity US foreign policy.
You can argue it’s a return to Cold War interference in LatAm, now perhaps in competition with China rather than USSR.
But I think it’s more like the banana wars.
You can argue it’s a return to Cold War interference in LatAm, now perhaps in competition with China rather than USSR.
But I think it’s more like the banana wars.
January 3, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Think the presser confirms the commercial angle. Want oil republics to be the new banana republics.
There will be a lot of pressure on the rest of the world not to transition away from oil. Backed by threats.
There will be a lot of pressure on the rest of the world not to transition away from oil. Backed by threats.