The US Seizure of Maduro: How Trump Has Transformed the World's Superpower into a Rogue State
Within the immense confusion surrounding the United States attacks on Venezuela, the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, and Donald Trump's announcement that the US will “manage” the country and “reclaim the petroleum resources”, one thing is clear – this establishes a deeply alarming precedent.
A Grim History and a New Escalation
The United States has a grim history of meddling, military incursions, and control in the region, but the early hours of Saturday saw its premier large-scale offensive on the continent of South America. “American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again,” the President stated.
The move to assault another independent nation and seize its president – mere days after he openly looked for a diplomatic solution – possesses far-reaching consequences. It should alarm us all.
Deep Instability for a Nation in Crisis
Venezuelans have suffered under an oppressive, corrupt, and inept government under Mr Maduro, largely considered to have rigged the previous presidential vote. They now face profound uncertainty at best. Mr Trump has suggested that the vice president, Delcy Rodríguez would comply with American demands, and dismissed rightwing opposition leader and Nobel prize-winner María Corina Machado as a viable alternative.
However, Ms Rodríguez, now the interim president, has so far adopted a posture of resistance – and other parts of the decapitated regime are considerably more radical.
The Superpower as Rogue State
A man who came to office vowing to end foreign wars now says he is “willing to put soldiers into combat”. Redesignating the Department of Defense as the Department of War was a substantive signal. He does not see the world’s superpower as a guardian of order; he is converting it into a rogue state.
He holds the view that the US’s might permits it to do as it wishes with scant penalty: consider the military actions against Nigeria and Iranian installations. He promises that Venezuelan oil means this latest episode “will be financially free”.
An Attack Without Legal Justification
George W. Bush invaded Iraq on a lie. But this illegal attack came without UN resolutions of any kind or authorization from lawmakers; the opposition party was kept in the dark and say they were actively misled in briefings. Mr Trump is not trying to twist international norms, but to shatter them.
Set aside the message this sends to global powers like Russia and China, and question the future path of the United States. While the raid is said to have slain 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, no US personnel died. Mr Trump’s escalating feeling of being untouchable will likely encourage further adventurism.
The Thin Pretext and True Motives
No one buys the pretext that this is about drugs. Venezuela is only a secondary pathway for cocaine; Mr Trump recently exonerated the past Honduran leader Juan Orlando Hernández for narcotics and arms offenses. Mr Trump himself made it clear that he is motivated by the lure of oil as well as a desire to project strength, the beliefs held by certain advisors, and the quest for a legacy as his standing with the American public falters.
Tepid International Response and Waning Global Governance
The global reaction, especially in Europe, has – with a few principled deviations – been shockingly muted. That’s not because of Mr Maduro’s sins, but trepidation regarding Mr Trump’s wrath. The forceful statement from UN Secretary General António Guterres was notable, but this episode underscores the institution’s growing irrelevance.
Mr Trump’s anti-interventionist domestic base could potentially force him to redirect his gaze inward – but rising medical costs, economic unhappiness and other domestic scandals make foreign conflicts more appealing.
Barely 12 months into his presidential term. The international community may regret it if they stay silent now, given what – and who – could be next.
