The US Seizure of Maduro: How Trump Has Transformed the World's Superpower into a Rogue State
Against the backdrop of the widespread uncertainty surrounding the United States attacks on Venezuela, the apprehension of leader Nicolás Maduro, and Donald Trump's announcement that the US will “manage” the country and “reclaim the petroleum resources”, one thing is clear – they set a profoundly disturbing precedent.
Past Interference and a New Threshold Crossed
The United States carries a troubling legacy of interference, invasion and occupation in that part of the world, but this past Saturday morning witnessed its premier large-scale offensive on South American land. “The preeminence of America in this region is now beyond dispute,” Trump proclaimed.
The move to assault another independent nation and abduct its leader – only a few days after he publicly sought an off-ramp – 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 fraudulently won the most recent election. They now face a future of deep insecurity. Mr Trump has suggested that Maduro's second-in-command, Delcy Rodríguez would do as the US says, and rejected 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 leadership-stricken government are considerably more radical.
The Superpower as Rogue State
A man who was elected vowing to end foreign wars now says he is “willing to put soldiers into combat”. Rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War was not merely symbolic. He does not see the world’s superpower as a guardian of order; he is turning it into a lawless actor.
He holds the view that the US’s might enables it to do as it wishes with scant penalty: consider the strikes on Nigeria, on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He claims that control of Venezuela's petroleum means this new undertaking “will pay for itself”.
An Attack Without Legal Justification
George W. Bush invaded Iraq on a lie. But this unlawful assault came lacking any form of UN approval or authorization from lawmakers; key legislators received no advance notice and say they were actively misled in briefings. Mr Trump doesn’t seek to bend international norms, but to shatter them.
Put aside the message this sends to global powers like Russia and China, and consider the destination for America itself. While the raid allegedly resulted in the deaths of 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, there were no American fatalities. Mr Trump’s growing sense of invincibility will almost certainly fuel further adventurism.
The Thin Pretext and True Motives
Few believe the justification that this is about drugs. Venezuela is only a secondary pathway for cocaine; Mr Trump recently granted clemency to the ex-leader of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández for related criminal convictions. Mr Trump himself made it clear that he is driven by the lure of oil as well as personal bravado, the beliefs held by certain advisors, and the desire for glory as domestic popularity wanes.
A Muted Global Reaction and Institutional Irrelevance
The international response, especially in Europe, has – with a few principled deviations – been alarmingly quiet. That’s not because of Mr Maduro’s sins, but trepidation regarding Mr Trump’s wrath. The strong reaction from UN Secretary General António Guterres was commendable, but this episode underscores the waning power of international bodies.
Mr Trump’s voters who oppose foreign entanglements could still pressure him to turn attention back home – but escalating insurance prices, economic unhappiness and distracting files make foreign conflicts more appealing.
It has been less than 12 months into his four-year term. World leaders may live to repent if they remain quiet at this juncture, considering the potential next target.