🔗 Share this article

Within the widespread uncertainty regarding the American military actions on Venezuela, the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro, and statements from Trump that the US will “manage” the country and “reclaim the petroleum resources”, a single fact remains evident – this establishes a truly chilling precedent.

A Grim History and a New Escalation

The United States possesses a dark record of meddling, military incursions, and control in that part of the world, but the recent overnight operation witnessed its premier large-scale offensive on South American land. “US supremacy in this hemisphere shall not be challenged from now on,” Mr Trump declared.

The move to assault another sovereign country and seize its president – mere days after he openly looked for a diplomatic solution – carries even broader implications. It should alarm us all.

A Nation Left in Limbo

Venezuelans have lived through a dictatorship marked by theft and failure under Mr Maduro, largely considered to have stolen the last election. They now face profound uncertainty at best. Mr Trump has remarked that Mr Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez would comply with American demands, and brushed aside prominent critic and Nobel prize-winner María Corina Machado as a credible successor.

However, Ms Rodríguez, now the temporary head of state, has so far adopted a posture of resistance – and other elements of the decapitated regime are even more hardline.

A Shift in Global Role

A man who came to office pledging to stop foreign wars now says he is “willing to put soldiers into combat”. Renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War was a substantive signal. He fails to perceive the world’s superpower as a international peacekeeper; he is turning it into a lawless actor.

He holds the view that the America's power permits it to do as it wishes with minimal cost: consider the military actions against Nigeria and Iranian installations. He asserts that control of Venezuela's petroleum means this new undertaking “won’t cost us a penny”.

A Move Devoid of International Legitimacy

George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq on a lie. But this action without legal basis came without UN resolutions of any kind or the consent of the US Congress; Democrats were not even informed and say they were given false information in briefings. Mr Trump is not trying to twist international norms, but to destroy them.

Disregard the implication this carries to Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and others, and ask where the US itself is heading. While the raid is said to have slain 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, no US personnel died. Mr Trump’s increasing belief in his impunity will surely embolden further adventurism.

The Stated Reason Versus the Real Aims

Few believe the justification that this is concerning narcotics. Venezuela is only a small transit route for cocaine; Mr Trump recently granted clemency to the former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández for related criminal convictions. Mr Trump himself made it clear that he is driven by the allure of petroleum resources as well as machismo, the beliefs held by certain advisors, and the quest for a legacy as his standing with the American public falters.

World Leaders' Silence and a Weakened UN

The worldwide reception, especially in Europe, has – with a few principled deviations – been surprisingly subdued. That’s not because 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 highlights the institution’s growing irrelevance.

Mr Trump’s isolationist supporters at home could potentially force him to focus on domestic issues once more – but rising medical costs, public anxiety over the economy and distracting files increase his appetite for distraction.

It has been less than 12 months into his four-year term. Other governments may come to rue the day if they stay silent now, considering the potential next target.