The U.S. has overthrown the Maduro regime in Venezuela; captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro; and occupied the country.
Continuing a long history of U.S. interventions in Latin America, Donald Trump has vowed to “run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
The U.S. policy of regime change had been telegraphed for months, as Trump ramped up attacks on supposed Venezuelan drug boats, imposed an oil blockade and ordered a CIA drone strike on a Venezuelan dock alleged to be used for loading drugs.
Now those clear violations of international and U.S. law and false allegations about Venezuela’s role in the fentanyl trade are ending with an occupation and U.S. control of Venezuela’s oil-based economy.
The U.S. action is consistent with “America First,” said Trump, citing the need for oil and energy:
“The U.S. will be in charge of Venezuela’s oil industry. We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country.”
So, in a word, it’s imperialism—and a clear sign that for Trump, dominance in Latin America is his top foreign policy objective.
We now await word about whom Trump will select to be America’s puppet in Caracas—with Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth as their overlords.
The U.S. intervention comes despite a call by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for UN action to prevent the crisis, and despite polls showing around 75% of Americans oppose an invasion of Venezuela.
Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Cuba and Brazil were among the Latin American countries that have condemned the U.S. invasion of Venezuela. France’s foreign ministry also did so. President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil said the U.S. attacks “crossed an unacceptable line,” set a “dangerous precedent” and evoked “the worst moments of interference” in Latin America.
Russia also criticized the U.S., but Moscow must be pleased that the U.S. has emulated Russia in attacking a sovereign nation.
Mel Gurtov is professor emeritus of political science at Portland State University.
