As the world's attention is divided between the ongoing American-led negotiations concerning Ukraine, China's intimidation of Japan's new prime minister over Taiwan's security, and India's warm reception of Vladimir Putin, the American capital is engrossed in a different issue: Venezuela.
The Trump administration's drone strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels have stirred up a storm in Washington, leading to a flurry of criminal accusations and constitutional challenges.
According to The Washington Free Beacon, the administration, already grappling with numerous significant initiatives, has raised eyebrows by intensifying its pressure campaign on Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. This move, despite the backlash and public discomfort, is driven by the deteriorating situation in Latin America. By addressing the threat posed by Venezuela, the administration hopes to prevent further destabilization in the region.
The United States' national security is significantly impacted by turmoil in the Western Hemisphere. While the Trump administration has largely addressed the issue of illegal immigration along the southern border, criminal gangs continue to smuggle drugs and other harmful substances into the country. The region, largely free from major power competition, was the epicenter of some of the most contentious foreign policy debates during the Cold War due to communist infiltration.
The question of how to deal with Latin America has long perplexed Americans. The region, rich in natural resources, from the Andes' copper and lithium deposits to Argentina's and Brazil's agricultural wealth and Venezuela's vast oil reserves, is plagued by corruption and misguided ideologies like Peronism and communism. These issues hinder the region's economic growth, trapping it in a "middle income" status and preventing it from reaching higher economic tiers.
Global political upheavals are also causing instability in Latin America. Economies heavily reliant on commodity exports are vulnerable to shifts in global trade. The rise of protectionism in much of the developed world spells trouble for South American ranchers and miners. The region is also largely rejecting centrist, incremental reformers, reverting to the traditional left-right political divide. Future elections are likely to mirror the existential battle between Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva.
America's adversaries are also making their moves. China has become South America's largest trading partner, although U.S. trade dominance in Central America has allowed it to maintain overall leadership in Latin America. Chinese financiers are funding drug runners, leading to an increase in crime in previously peaceful countries like Ecuador. Russia, China, and Iran have supported Maduro's anti-American activities, with the Venezuelan dictator supporting Communist Cuba and threatening to attack neighboring Guyana and seize its oil.
During his first term, President Trump attempted to counter these adversaries, but the results were less than satisfactory. Efforts to remove Chinese telecom companies like Huawei made some progress, but Maduro managed to hold onto power, despite international diplomatic pressure and U.S. sanctions, after rigging the 2018 presidential election. Biden lifted some of the sanctions on Maduro, who also manipulated the 2024 election.
Now, Trump is applying even more pressure on Maduro and other drug traffickers. The U.S. military has bombed approximately two dozen drug boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific. Trump recently warned, "We're going to start doing those strikes on land, too." The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has been moved from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, and F-35s are stationed in Puerto Rico, indicating a significant increase in firepower to deal with the drug boats.
Despite the increased pressure, Trump remains open to negotiating with Maduro. However, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this week, "The problem is Maduro has made 5 deals with different parties over the last 10 years and has broken every single one of them." He added, "Now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try" to get a deal, but "they're not going to sucker Donald Trump."
Stabilizing Venezuela could significantly contribute to regional stability. Allowing the eight million Venezuelan refugees to return home would alleviate the burden on neighboring countries. Eliminating one of the most powerful drug traffickers could deter others from similar activities. Demonstrating the inability of China, Iran, and Russia to protect their allies would undermine their diplomatic campaigns against the United States.
Maduro may attempt to weather this storm once again, but he should reconsider. Trump is determined to secure foreign policy victories to enhance his legacy; he is serious about taking firm actions to protect the southern border and address the drug crisis. If Maduro needs further convincing, he should consult his Iranian allies.
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