January 15th, 2026Kyle’s Rant

Happy New Year to all, and it is fantastic that as we turn the corner into 2026 we have taken the Auld Lang Syne song seriously, which asks if old acquaintances should be forgotten, answering with a call to remember and share a “cup o’ kindness”.
But a sneak peek into the year reveals it’s still everyone for themselves in the broader world and the dirge might as well not have been trotted out for the NYE celebrations.
Case in point: Venezuela has experienced severe economic collapse, political repression and a humanitarian crisis over the past decade. But does that give Trump the right to take a cake walk into the president’s crib and perform a snatch and grab on him and his wife? This will ultimately see the guy and his bride rot in prison in the States tied up in court battles on trumped-up charges to hold him there (pun intended).
When the bullshit of the drug boat bombings first hit the news late last year, one could be forgiven for shaking one’s fist in the air and screaming ‘go Trumpy, knock that drug war on the head’.
However, a peek behind the curtain reveals drugs that head into the States are by and large from Columbia and Mexico. And although there is a thriving drug trade in Venezuela, particularly to Europe, the place is better known for the fact it is heaving in gold, huge deposits of diamonds and gargantuan rare earth minerals.
But the pièce de résistance is that Venezuela has about a fifth of the world’s proven crude oil reserves. Venezuela leads all countries with 303 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, outnumbering Saudi Arabia and representing almost 20 per cent of global reserves. So, there is now no need to put the hammer down on Greenland. This leaves the Danish once again to turn their attention back to their cycling, Lego sets and their unique cultural concept of “hygge” (cosiness).
The lands to the south of America are now where old yellow top has turned his attention, which is probably too global for us in the Central Highlands to give any thought to. Or is it?
That cheap oil in Venezuela was a chink in the Chinese powerhouse economy because it, to a large degree, propped up China’s economic rise and rise – not to mention Russia’s dependence on the Texas T. So, what happens now that the oil line has dried up for the two giants?
I don’t like to think too close to bedtime about it and don’t want to spread propaganda, as this is simply the opinion of one man who couldn’t even make the audience on Deal or No Deal – a story for another time.
However, if I was in China’s shoes I would look to another country reasonably close by with lots of resources to fill the gap. Someplace with wide open borders, who is short on defences and their nearest allies are on the other side of the world. Except for a tinpot nation next door who have one or two navy ships and the residents roll their Rs and love a good cup of tea.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the horse trading is already going on behind closed doors and Australia was one of the fine fillies getting bid on.
Watch this space rant over…