Introduction
In last year’s article, we highlighted that “Mexican politics revolve around the whims and intentions of Donald Trump.” Recent events in Venezuela, including the illegal seizure of cargo ships in the Caribbean and threats against Cuba, Colombia, Greenland, and Mexico, have only confirmed these points in the harshest way.
Trump’s Impact on International Relations
Trump’s actions have demonstrated several things that were previously obvious, albeit obscured: the UN and international laws are either destroyed or on their last breath; the US is no longer the champion of democracy (in reality, it never was), with economic and political needs being the only concerns of the White House; the Western Hemisphere is Trump’s arena of operation; alliances with European partners are contingent on subordination to Trump; China and Russia are the great enemy, needing to be expelled from the Americas.
The world’s governments no longer define themselves based on their relationship with the most powerful nation. Today, the most relevant countries in the EU struggle to agree and appear hesitant. The capture of Maduro places them at a crossroads, forced to choose between endorsing illegal action or criticizing it and defending the dictator in some way.
Resistance in the United States
In the US, democrats, some republicans, and figures like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Senator Bernie Sanders attempt to curb Trump’s imperial policy. Meanwhile, the US Senate voted to approve a resolution limiting Trump’s military force usage in Venezuela, with 52 votes in favor and 47 against, including some republicans joining democrats. This is a non-definitive first step, but it signals that Trump’s adventures have gone too far, even for some allies.
Tensions in the US
In certain regions of our northern neighbor, a climate of confrontation and tension prevails. In Minneapolis, there have been days of protests against ICE following an agent’s killing of a woman during an operation. The victim, Renee Nicole Good, was shot multiple times as she tried to drive away. The official account that she used her car as a weapon doesn’t hold up according to the recorded scenes. In Portland, two people were injured in a shooting involving federal ICE agents. The FBI will investigate the attack. In Chicago and other cities, there are demands for ICE to leave.
Trump’s Motives in Venezuela
Why did Trump order a military attack on Caracas to capture dictator Nicolás Maduro? Various factors are pointed out, such as distracting the US public from the social and economic failure caused by his government’s measures, controlling Venezuelan oil, and removing Russia and China from the nation now governed by Delcy Rodríguez.
Maduro is gone, but the dictatorship apparatus remains intact, though weakened. As mentioned in my previous article: “Those who believe the White House occupant is the great brother who will end dictatorships are mistaken. Trump doesn’t care about Latin American democracy; he’s interested in political and economic domination.”
The Venezuelan president, much like Sheinbaum, employs a dual discourse: appearing as the heir to Bolivarian revolution within her country while showing amiability and obedience towards the US government externally. Trump and Marco Rubio claim they’re working well with her while keeping a close eye to ensure she does things right, whatever that means. Trump insists on controlling Venezuela politically and economically for years to come. Edmundo González, the 2024 election winner, has demanded to be given power, but no one listens. María Corina Machado is reportedly set to meet Trump next week. Is she likely to change the course of events? It seems unlikely.
Conclusion
As Tolkien would say, “the world has changed, I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth…” Has Sheinbaum felt it too?
