Trump's Capture of Maduro: Turning a Global Superpower into a Lawless Actor
Against the backdrop of the immense confusion following the US strikes on Venezuela, the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, and Donald Trump's announcement that the US will “control” the country and “seize control of the oil”, a single fact remains evident – these actions create a deeply alarming precedent.
A Grim History and a New Escalation
The United States has a grim history of interference, invasion and occupation in the region, but the recent overnight operation witnessed its first major military attack on the soil of a South American nation. “US supremacy in this hemisphere shall not be challenged from now on,” the President stated.
The decision to unilaterally attack another sovereign country and seize its president – only a few days after he stated a desire for negotiations – has still wider repercussions. We all have reason to be worried.
Deep Instability for a Nation in Crisis
Venezuelans have lived through a dictatorship marked by theft and failure under Mr Maduro, commonly thought to have stolen the last election. They now face profound uncertainty at best. Mr Trump has indicated that Mr Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez would comply with American demands, and rejected rightwing opposition leader and Nobel prize-winner María Corina Machado as a viable alternative.
However, Ms Rodríguez, now the acting leader, has so far adopted a posture of resistance – and other factions of the headless administration are far more intransigent.
From Global Policeman to International Outlaw
A man who was elected vowing to end foreign wars now says he is “willing to put soldiers into combat”. Renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War was more than posturing. He fails to perceive the world’s superpower as a global policeman; he is turning it into a lawless actor.
He holds the view that the United States' strength enables it to do as it wishes with little consequence: witness the attacks in Nigeria and against Iranian nuclear sites. He claims that the oil resources of Venezuela means this latest episode “will be financially free”.
A Move Devoid of International Legitimacy
George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq on a lie. But this unlawful assault came without UN resolutions of any kind or the consent of the US Congress; key legislators received no advance notice and say they were deliberately deceived in briefings. Mr Trump aims not merely to stretch international norms, but to destroy them.
Disregard the message this sends to leaders in Moscow, Beijing, and beyond, and ask where the US itself is heading. While the raid is said to have slain 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, not a single US soldier was lost. Mr Trump’s growing sense of invincibility will likely encourage further adventurism.
Flimsy Justifications and Underlying Drivers
Few believe the pretext that this is concerning narcotics. Venezuela is only a small transit route for cocaine; Mr Trump recently exonerated the former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández for narcotics and arms offenses. Mr Trump himself has stated plainly that he is driven by the allure of petroleum resources as well as personal bravado, the beliefs held by certain advisors, and the appetite for triumphalism as his standing with the American public falters.
Tepid International Response and Waning Global Governance
The worldwide reception, especially in Europe, has – with a few principled deviations – been surprisingly subdued. That’s not a result of Mr Maduro’s sins, but fear of Mr Trump’s wrath. The forceful statement from UN Secretary General António Guterres was commendable, but this episode emphasizes the UN's diminishing clout.
Mr Trump’s voters who oppose foreign entanglements could still pressure him to focus on domestic issues once more – but soaring healthcare premiums, economic unhappiness and ongoing controversies increase his appetite for distraction.
Barely 12 months into his presidential term. The international community may come to rue the day if they remain quiet at this juncture, given what – and who – could be next.
