The US military operation to detain Nicolás Maduro underscores President Donald Trump’s view of the Western Hemisphere as a region where US interests prevail.
Context and Relevance of Nicolás Maduro
Nicolás Maduro, once the president of Venezuela, is now a prisoner under US custody. While few lament his removal, given his autocratic rule, election rigging, human rights abuses, and involvement in drug trafficking, the military operation’s justification remains questionable. It was a choice rather than necessity, with Maduro not posing an immediate threat to the US.
Comparisons with Previous Operations
The operation shares superficial similarities with George H.W. Bush’s 1989 mission to oust Panama’s Manuel Noriega, who faced charges of drug trafficking and murder. However, the legal arguments against Noriega were stronger due to concerns about US military personnel and Canal security.
Trump’s Motives and Objectives
The primary objective, according to Trump, was securing US access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Secondary goals included ending drug trafficking, aiding Venezuelan refugees, and increasing pressure on Cuba, which relies heavily on subsidized Venezuelan oil.
Challenges and Uncertainties
Declaring success prematurely is misleading. Removing a leader differs significantly from overthrowing a regime and establishing a more benign one. The US administration prefers working with remnants of Maduro’s regime rather than empowering the opposition, prioritizing commercial benefits over democracy promotion and human rights protection.
Implications of the Operation
The operation embodies Trump’s foreign policy approach: unilateral, disregarding legality and international opinion, focusing on the Western Hemisphere, and prioritizing commercial benefits over broader security concerns. The main risk is setting a precedent for great powers to intervene against perceived illegitimate or threatening leaders.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of the US military operation in Venezuela? It underscores President Trump’s view of the Western Hemisphere as a region where US interests prevail.
- Why was the operation controversial? It lacked clear legal justification and its strategic value was questionable, as Maduro did not pose an immediate threat to the US.
- What were Trump’s motives and objectives? The primary goal was securing access to Venezuela’s oil reserves. Secondary objectives included ending drug trafficking, aiding refugees, and increasing pressure on Cuba.
- What challenges does the operation face? The main challenge is the potential collapse of order, with regime supporters remaining active and opposition divided or resistant to exclusion.
- What are the implications of this operation? It sets a precedent for great powers to intervene against perceived illegitimate or threatening leaders, potentially complicating negotiations in conflicts like Russia-Ukraine.
Author
Richard Haass, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, is a Senior Advisor at Centerview Partners, a distinguished university professor at New York University, and the author of the weekly Substack Home & Away.
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 1995 – 2026
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