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The Liberty Conspiracy News Notes: 4-17-26
LIBERTY CONSPIRACY NEWS NOTES:
4-17-26
PGG
This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Share
A brief note:
This is a unique version of the News Notes today, focusing on three key matters: WAR, the strangling of the world economy, and a positive report on the potential for Ivermectin and Mebendazol to dramatically help people suffering from cancer. I just returned from the memorial service for an old friend since we were kids, Kevin Maxwell. Kevin and I played hoop together, had lots of laughs, and knew each other locally, ever since. He died after a long fight against cancer. I liked Kevin so much, I used to sneak his name into TV scripts I was trying to sell when I worked in LA and Vancouver. Here is the Obituary information for Kevin R. Maxwell LINK
Now…
WAR
LEBANON
As part of the “ceasefire-and-open-strait-of-Hormuz” agreement announced by the US and Iran, Israel was supposed to cease military hostilities against Lebanon at 5 PM eastern US time, yesterday. Not only did Israel fire off a series of massive bombings just hours prior to that deadline (LINK and LINK), the IDF (I-O[ffensive]-F) continued its blasting and killing, esp south of the Litani River.
This does not bode well for peace in Lebanon or peace with Iran (or the economic fallout from a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz). Trump claims that the Persian Gulf is open. This is not exactly right. It is under the control of Iran, and passage is allowed under specific conditions
THE INSANE US SANCTIONS ON IRAN ARE ALREADY BEING APPLIED AGAIN TO SOME, AND WILL RAMP UP - Bessent Claims is… because some of these people cited made deals for Iranian oil for Venezuelan Gold. As of today, April 17, 2026, the US is significantly escalating economic pressure on Iran through a combination of direct sanctions on its oil sector, threats of broad secondary sanctions on third-country buyers and banks, and enforcement of a naval blockade. This is part of what Treasury officials have described as “Operation Economic Fury” or the “financial equivalent of bombing Iran,” aimed at cutting off revenue to the Iranian regime amid ongoing tensions, including disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Recent Developments (April 14–17, 2026)
Secondary sanctions warnings on oil buyers and banks (April 15): US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly stated that the US is now prepared to impose secondary sanctions on any countries, entities, or financial institutions that continue purchasing Iranian oil or hold Iranian funds in their banks. He explicitly warned: “We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions.” The Treasury has sent warning letters to at least two Chinese banks (and reportedly institutions in Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman) about potential secondary sanctions if they facilitate Iranian transactions (estimated at ~$9 billion in illicit flows). China, Iran’s largest oil customer (previously handling over 80% of its exports), is a primary focus.
New direct sanctions on Iran’s oil sector (April 15): The US sanctioned more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to the petroleum shipping network linked to the Shamkhani family (prominent regime figures). These targets operate in Iran and the UAE and are accused of sanctions evasion. Additional designations hit a Hezbollah financier and entities involved in an Iranian oil-for-Venezuelan gold money-laundering scheme. Treasury Secretary Bessent described the moves as targeting “regime elites… that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people.”
End of Iran oil sanctions waiver: The US is not renewing the temporary general license/waiver for Iranian crude oil and petroleum products (originally set to expire April 19, 2026). This ends limited authorizations for certain sea-based sales and tightens enforcement.
Broader context and enforcement: These actions coincide with a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and enforcement actions in/near the Strait of Hormuz (initiated around April 13–14). As of April 17, Iran has declared the Strait “completely open” to commercial shipping, but the US has confirmed the blockade remains fully in effect until a comprehensive deal is reached. Earlier in 2026, the administration also issued an executive order framework for tariffs (potentially up to 25% or more) on imports from any country that acquires goods or services from Iran.
Impact on Any Nation or Entity Trading with Iran (“People in Iran”)
US secondary sanctions explicitly target non-US persons and third countries engaged in sanctionable activities with Iran’s energy, shipping, financial, or related sectors. This includes:
Purchasing Iranian oil or petroleum products.
Facilitating financial transactions involving Iranian funds.
Providing services (shipping, insurance, etc.) to Iranian-linked vessels or networks.
Foreign financial institutions risk losing access to the US financial system or being designated. The policy applies even to indirect trade through intermediaries. Major buyers like China, as well as any resumed trade by countries such as India (which had paused but shown interest in reviving imports), are under heightened scrutiny. These measures build on longstanding US authorities (Iran Sanctions Act, executive orders, etc.) and recent OFAC designations. The latest Iran-related sanctions list updates occurred on April 15, 2026. The situation remains fluid, with fragile ceasefire/negotiations underway between the US and Iran (following earlier 2025–2026 conflict involving Israel). No major new sanctions announcements have emerged in the last 24–48 hours beyond the April 15 actions and ongoing blockade enforcement, but officials have signaled further tightening if Iran does not comply. For the absolute latest official updates, check the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Iran Sanctions page.
Buuuut, the US hypocrisy is rich. There are multiple credible reports of the US acquiring approximately $100 million worth of Venezuelan gold (physically transported to the US) as part of the Trump administration’s post-intervention economic engagements following the January 3, 2026, US military operation in Venezuela. This operation involved a strike that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife (who were transferred to the US for prosecution on drug-related charges), after which the US worked with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and asserted significant de facto control over Venezuela’s key resources, including oil and minerals.
Context of the “Regime Change” Operation
On January 3, 2026, the US conducted an unconstitutional and immoral military raid in Caracas (described by officials and media as a “snatch-and-grab” or special operation under the broader “regime change” or “regime management” framework). Trump publicly stated the US would “run” Venezuela temporarily to rebuild its oil infrastructure and facilitate a transition.
Maduro’s removal was followed by “deals” (as Trump called them) giving the US oversight of oil exports and expanded access to minerals. Critics (including some Democrats, international law experts, and left-leaning outlets) have called it “resource imperialism” or a “hostile corporate takeover,” while the administration frames it as legitimate commercial engagement and stabilization.
Specific Reports on Venezuelan Gold
March 2026 gold shipment: US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Venezuela with US mining executives to promote legitimate mining and secure critical minerals. He announced that the US “brought home $100 million of gold — physically, the gold” for American refiners after meetings with Rodríguez. This was the first precious metals shipment between the two countries in over 20 years.
Licenses and deals for gold exports: In early March 2026, the US Treasury/OFAC issued General License 51 (later expanded to 51A), authorizing US entities to deal with Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company (Minerven) for the export, sale, and transportation of Venezuelan-origin gold (and later broader minerals). This enabled a multimillion-dollar deal for up to 1,000 kg of gold destined for US markets (brokered via commodities traders like Trafigura).
Broader policy shift: Venezuela passed a new mining law in April 2026 opening the sector to foreign (including US) investment. The gold moves are explicitly tied to the post-Maduro arrangement, alongside oil sales and sanctions relief. Burgum highlighted Venezuela’s vast untapped gold and critical minerals resources (estimated in the hundreds of billions).
nytimes.com +1
These actions are not described in mainstream reporting as forcible “seizure” or confiscation of central bank reserves (unlike some older disputes over Venezuelan gold held abroad). Instead, they involve licensed commercial purchases, exports, and physical transfers under agreements with the Rodríguez government. However, the overall context—US military intervention followed by rapid resource deals—has led some critics and social media commentary to frame it as the US “taking” or exploiting Venezuelan gold as spoils of the operation. The situation remains ongoing as of April 17, 2026, with further sanctions easing on Venezuelan banking and minerals sectors. No major new gold-specific announcements have emerged in the past few weeks beyond the March events and April mining law. For primary sources, see US Treasury/OFAC notices or statements from Interior Secretary Burgum.
US ECONOMY
CANCER - IVERMECTIN, MEBENDAZOLE
This looks like something very promising. Out of all the COVID insanity, perhaps the Ivermectin research will turn around many lives.
That’s it for now, all! This had to be a slightly different News Notes, and I want to share those thoughts about Kevin. We will see you tonight for Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on RUMBLE AND X “AT” GardGoldsmith at 6!
Leave a comment
Share
This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
View all episodes
By Gardner GoldsmithLIBERTY CONSPIRACY NEWS NOTES:
4-17-26
PGG
This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Share
A brief note:
This is a unique version of the News Notes today, focusing on three key matters: WAR, the strangling of the world economy, and a positive report on the potential for Ivermectin and Mebendazol to dramatically help people suffering from cancer. I just returned from the memorial service for an old friend since we were kids, Kevin Maxwell. Kevin and I played hoop together, had lots of laughs, and knew each other locally, ever since. He died after a long fight against cancer. I liked Kevin so much, I used to sneak his name into TV scripts I was trying to sell when I worked in LA and Vancouver. Here is the Obituary information for Kevin R. Maxwell LINK
Now…
WAR
LEBANON
As part of the “ceasefire-and-open-strait-of-Hormuz” agreement announced by the US and Iran, Israel was supposed to cease military hostilities against Lebanon at 5 PM eastern US time, yesterday. Not only did Israel fire off a series of massive bombings just hours prior to that deadline (LINK and LINK), the IDF (I-O[ffensive]-F) continued its blasting and killing, esp south of the Litani River.
This does not bode well for peace in Lebanon or peace with Iran (or the economic fallout from a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz). Trump claims that the Persian Gulf is open. This is not exactly right. It is under the control of Iran, and passage is allowed under specific conditions
THE INSANE US SANCTIONS ON IRAN ARE ALREADY BEING APPLIED AGAIN TO SOME, AND WILL RAMP UP - Bessent Claims is… because some of these people cited made deals for Iranian oil for Venezuelan Gold. As of today, April 17, 2026, the US is significantly escalating economic pressure on Iran through a combination of direct sanctions on its oil sector, threats of broad secondary sanctions on third-country buyers and banks, and enforcement of a naval blockade. This is part of what Treasury officials have described as “Operation Economic Fury” or the “financial equivalent of bombing Iran,” aimed at cutting off revenue to the Iranian regime amid ongoing tensions, including disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Recent Developments (April 14–17, 2026)
Secondary sanctions warnings on oil buyers and banks (April 15): US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly stated that the US is now prepared to impose secondary sanctions on any countries, entities, or financial institutions that continue purchasing Iranian oil or hold Iranian funds in their banks. He explicitly warned: “We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions.” The Treasury has sent warning letters to at least two Chinese banks (and reportedly institutions in Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman) about potential secondary sanctions if they facilitate Iranian transactions (estimated at ~$9 billion in illicit flows). China, Iran’s largest oil customer (previously handling over 80% of its exports), is a primary focus.
New direct sanctions on Iran’s oil sector (April 15): The US sanctioned more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to the petroleum shipping network linked to the Shamkhani family (prominent regime figures). These targets operate in Iran and the UAE and are accused of sanctions evasion. Additional designations hit a Hezbollah financier and entities involved in an Iranian oil-for-Venezuelan gold money-laundering scheme. Treasury Secretary Bessent described the moves as targeting “regime elites… that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people.”
End of Iran oil sanctions waiver: The US is not renewing the temporary general license/waiver for Iranian crude oil and petroleum products (originally set to expire April 19, 2026). This ends limited authorizations for certain sea-based sales and tightens enforcement.
Broader context and enforcement: These actions coincide with a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and enforcement actions in/near the Strait of Hormuz (initiated around April 13–14). As of April 17, Iran has declared the Strait “completely open” to commercial shipping, but the US has confirmed the blockade remains fully in effect until a comprehensive deal is reached. Earlier in 2026, the administration also issued an executive order framework for tariffs (potentially up to 25% or more) on imports from any country that acquires goods or services from Iran.
Impact on Any Nation or Entity Trading with Iran (“People in Iran”)
US secondary sanctions explicitly target non-US persons and third countries engaged in sanctionable activities with Iran’s energy, shipping, financial, or related sectors. This includes:
Purchasing Iranian oil or petroleum products.
Facilitating financial transactions involving Iranian funds.
Providing services (shipping, insurance, etc.) to Iranian-linked vessels or networks.
Foreign financial institutions risk losing access to the US financial system or being designated. The policy applies even to indirect trade through intermediaries. Major buyers like China, as well as any resumed trade by countries such as India (which had paused but shown interest in reviving imports), are under heightened scrutiny. These measures build on longstanding US authorities (Iran Sanctions Act, executive orders, etc.) and recent OFAC designations. The latest Iran-related sanctions list updates occurred on April 15, 2026. The situation remains fluid, with fragile ceasefire/negotiations underway between the US and Iran (following earlier 2025–2026 conflict involving Israel). No major new sanctions announcements have emerged in the last 24–48 hours beyond the April 15 actions and ongoing blockade enforcement, but officials have signaled further tightening if Iran does not comply. For the absolute latest official updates, check the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Iran Sanctions page.
Buuuut, the US hypocrisy is rich. There are multiple credible reports of the US acquiring approximately $100 million worth of Venezuelan gold (physically transported to the US) as part of the Trump administration’s post-intervention economic engagements following the January 3, 2026, US military operation in Venezuela. This operation involved a strike that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife (who were transferred to the US for prosecution on drug-related charges), after which the US worked with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and asserted significant de facto control over Venezuela’s key resources, including oil and minerals.
Context of the “Regime Change” Operation
On January 3, 2026, the US conducted an unconstitutional and immoral military raid in Caracas (described by officials and media as a “snatch-and-grab” or special operation under the broader “regime change” or “regime management” framework). Trump publicly stated the US would “run” Venezuela temporarily to rebuild its oil infrastructure and facilitate a transition.
Maduro’s removal was followed by “deals” (as Trump called them) giving the US oversight of oil exports and expanded access to minerals. Critics (including some Democrats, international law experts, and left-leaning outlets) have called it “resource imperialism” or a “hostile corporate takeover,” while the administration frames it as legitimate commercial engagement and stabilization.
Specific Reports on Venezuelan Gold
March 2026 gold shipment: US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Venezuela with US mining executives to promote legitimate mining and secure critical minerals. He announced that the US “brought home $100 million of gold — physically, the gold” for American refiners after meetings with Rodríguez. This was the first precious metals shipment between the two countries in over 20 years.
Licenses and deals for gold exports: In early March 2026, the US Treasury/OFAC issued General License 51 (later expanded to 51A), authorizing US entities to deal with Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company (Minerven) for the export, sale, and transportation of Venezuelan-origin gold (and later broader minerals). This enabled a multimillion-dollar deal for up to 1,000 kg of gold destined for US markets (brokered via commodities traders like Trafigura).
Broader policy shift: Venezuela passed a new mining law in April 2026 opening the sector to foreign (including US) investment. The gold moves are explicitly tied to the post-Maduro arrangement, alongside oil sales and sanctions relief. Burgum highlighted Venezuela’s vast untapped gold and critical minerals resources (estimated in the hundreds of billions).
nytimes.com +1
These actions are not described in mainstream reporting as forcible “seizure” or confiscation of central bank reserves (unlike some older disputes over Venezuelan gold held abroad). Instead, they involve licensed commercial purchases, exports, and physical transfers under agreements with the Rodríguez government. However, the overall context—US military intervention followed by rapid resource deals—has led some critics and social media commentary to frame it as the US “taking” or exploiting Venezuelan gold as spoils of the operation. The situation remains ongoing as of April 17, 2026, with further sanctions easing on Venezuelan banking and minerals sectors. No major new gold-specific announcements have emerged in the past few weeks beyond the March events and April mining law. For primary sources, see US Treasury/OFAC notices or statements from Interior Secretary Burgum.
US ECONOMY
CANCER - IVERMECTIN, MEBENDAZOLE
This looks like something very promising. Out of all the COVID insanity, perhaps the Ivermectin research will turn around many lives.
That’s it for now, all! This had to be a slightly different News Notes, and I want to share those thoughts about Kevin. We will see you tonight for Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on RUMBLE AND X “AT” GardGoldsmith at 6!
Leave a comment
Share
This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.