Trump's Capture of Maduro: Turning a Global Superpower into a Lawless Actor
Against the backdrop of the considerable disarray following the United States attacks on Venezuela, the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro, and statements from Trump that the US will “manage” the country and “take back the oil”, one thing is clear – this establishes a profoundly disturbing precedent.
Past Interference and a New Threshold Crossed
The United States possesses a dark record of interference, invasion and occupation in that part of the world, but the early hours of Saturday saw its premier large-scale offensive on South American land. “The preeminence of America in this region is now beyond dispute,” Trump proclaimed.
The choice to militarily strike another state and seize its president – only a few days after he stated a desire for negotiations – has still wider repercussions. It should alarm us all.
Deep Instability for a Nation in Crisis
Venezuelans have lived through a dictatorship marked by theft and failure under Mr Maduro, commonly thought to have stolen the last election. They now face a future of deep insecurity. Mr Trump has remarked that Maduro's second-in-command, Delcy Rodríguez would follow US instructions, and rejected prominent critic and Nobel prize-winner María Corina Machado as a viable alternative.
However, Ms Rodríguez, now the temporary head of state, has so far adopted a posture of resistance – and other factions of the decapitated regime are considerably more radical.
A Shift in Global Role
A man who was elected promising to abandon foreign wars now says he is “unconcerned about deploying troops”. Renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War was not merely symbolic. He fails to perceive the world’s superpower as a international peacekeeper; he is transforming it into a renegade nation.
He holds the view that the United States' strength enables it to do as it wishes with little consequence: observe the attacks in Nigeria and against Iranian nuclear sites. He claims that Venezuelan oil means this most recent venture “will be financially free”.
An Illegal Assault on Sovereignty
George W. Bush invaded Iraq on a lie. But this action without legal basis came lacking any form of UN approval or authorization from lawmakers; key legislators received no advance notice and say they were given false information in briefings. Mr Trump aims not merely to stretch international norms, but to obliterate them.
Put aside the message this sends to Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and others, and ask where the US itself is heading. While the raid allegedly resulted in the deaths of 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, no US personnel died. Mr Trump’s escalating feeling of being untouchable will surely embolden further adventurism.
Flimsy Justifications and Underlying Drivers
No one buys the justification that this is related to the drug trade. Venezuela is only a small transit route for cocaine; Mr Trump recently granted clemency to the ex-leader of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández for narcotics and arms offenses. Mr Trump himself made it clear that he is propelled by the allure of petroleum resources as well as a desire to project strength, the worldview of key officials, and the desire for glory as his standing with the American public falters.
Tepid International Response and Waning Global Governance
The international response, especially in Europe, has – with a few principled deviations – been alarmingly quiet. That’s not due to Mr Maduro’s sins, but trepidation regarding Mr Trump’s wrath. The forceful statement from UN Secretary General António Guterres was welcome, but this episode highlights the UN's diminishing clout.
Mr Trump’s isolationist supporters at home could yet press him to turn attention back home – but rising medical costs, economic unhappiness and ongoing controversies increase his appetite for distraction.
We are not yet 12 months into his four-year term. The international community may live to repent if they fail to speak up today, given what – and who – could be next.
