What Venezuela Might Indicate About What’s Next?

If we’ve learned anything about President Donald Trump, it should be whenever he perceives any type of victory, he proceeds forward as if he is enabled, and entitled to do as he wishes! It is imperative to realize this action regarding Venezuela is far-more about how it was done, and whether any US President has the legal right and power to take unilateral foreign actions, without vetting and discussion (if not, actual authorization) from Congress, than about removing a vicious dictator, Venezuela’s President Maduro! Although some are using considerable political spin to frame this as Trump protecting democracy and removing a dangerous threat, versus his political opponents defending this monster. While I have heard no one defending Maduro, it doesn’t seem to impact some of the political rhetoric!

Common sense and a degree of relevant reality should tell us if President Trump’s true motives were defending democracy, etc., and/or curbing the drug traffic, how can that be reconciled with the fact that Trump recently pardoned the convicted former-President of Honduras, who was already serving a significant sentence in US prison? If curbing drug traffic was the actual motive, as has been repeatedly claimed about fentanyl, etc., how can we reconcile that with the fact that virtually no fentanyl comes from or via Venezuela, and even their drug running predominantly ends up elsewhere, and not in the USA (e.g. Europe, Africa, South America, etc.)?

This does not appear to be some sort of spontaneous act, solely based supposedly on CIA, etc., intelligence, especially after over a month of the USA’s bombing if several boats in the region, and to-date, little to no evidence indicating actual proof of our government’s claims and justification! Do you realize how many times these small boats would have to stop for gasoline to make such a voyage? Also consider the Trump-ordered oil embargo/blockade, including his statements regarding our nation taking over the oil supplies, etc., and ranting about how Venezuela illegally took back their oil industry, removing most US companies!

There is either confusion, lack of actual concrete well- considered planning, one hand not knowing what the other is doing, lying, distorting, and/or misleading, based on the apparently different post-mission statements and claims made by the President and his Secretary of State Marco Rubio. President Trump stated the USA was now in charge of Venezuela for the foreseeable future (or until Trump is satisfied with the Venezuelan leadership), while Rubio basically stated the USA’s position as continuing the blockade and assistance to the new regime. For years, if any US President stated his goal and purpose as regime change (even as a small factor), there would be loud uproar and resistance, but so far, that doesn’t seem to be the case! Trump has also stated we would now guarantee Venezuela greatness, apparently meaning to Trump, that nation’s large oil reserves would generate significant income, and he would permit US companies to perform the operation oversight and responsibility, of doing so!

But, why does this create any significant precedent, and how? It seems this was more a removal of Maduro, than an actual regime change, because many of his hand-picked deputies remain in-charge of the country, so rather than regime change, it seems more akin to a coup! If President Trump perceives and believes he can now pursue his apparent foreign agenda, especially since no actual recriminations have occurred, what next?!

Will Trump proceed to aggressively impose his will on what appear to be other of his targets, such as Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, etc.? If Trump feels entitled to invade Venezuela, and take over their extensive oil reserves, will he use that same justification to enter Greenland, and assume their extensive rare metal reserves? It is important to realize Greenland is owned by Denmark (informally, since the 1700s), although it operates as an autonomous, self-serving territory. It was officially incorporated into the Danish Kingdom in 1953, but is mostly independent! Just because Denmark has something Trump wants (precious metals) should not and does not mean the USA has any right to it! Since Denmark is part of NATO and the EU, what might be the undesirable ramifications if Trump imposes our will, there?

Trump has often blamed Mexico for much of the drug problems, citing the power and influence of the Mexican drug cartels, yet does that give us, or him, the right to invade Mexico, using that as an excuse? Since Mexico has a democratically-elected government and President, what might be the recriminations if Trump attacks them, regardless of his explanation? Remember, Trump has often restated his claim the Mexican cartels must be taken apart, and wouldn’t that mean, another invasion within foreign borders?

Canada, another of Trump’s rhetorical whipping targets, as well as being a democracy, is also a founder of NATO, and an active member. In addition, much of the Northeastern USA, especially states abutting Canada, are dependent on Canada for much of its energy source! We have seen Trump make many demands on Canada, and preferred rhetorical claims, as well as trying to punish Canada with tariffs, etc., and we’ve witnessed Canada largely boycott American whiskeys and bourbons, which have significantly harmed the bottom lines of corporations such as Jim Beam and Jack Daniels, etc.! But, while these factors and others would probably make most others avoid conflicts with Canada, especially since traditionally it has been the USA’s largest trade partner, it doesn’t seem to matter to Trump, so only time will tell.

For many decades, Marco Rubio has held anti-Cuba (against Castro, and the Communist regimes), and it seems to continue to this date. The USA already has military territory within Cuba (Guantanamo), and very little trade relations, yet, many believe any antagonist behavior with Cuba might force Russia and China, etc., to help resist Cuba, and defend it! Would that stop the Trump administration?

How can this nation stand-up to Russia and Putin, when Putin’s justification for attacking Ukraine’s sovereign borders is his claim for the need for regime change? Doesn’t our behavior and action help these justifications? What does this mean for North Korea and the relationship between North and South Korea? In his first term, Trump proudly touted his friendly relations with North Korea’s leader, who most believe is a dangerous dictator!

When Trump seems to be demanding Ukraine cede much of its mineral rights to the USA in exchange for our participation, despite our signing on as a guarantor of Ukraine’s safety and security, as part of the 1994 peace agreement, where Ukraine agreed to abandon its nuclear reserves and capabilities, why should any other nation or leader, believe or trust us?

The real question is not whether removing Maduro is a good thing, because most people, from a widespread scope of political spectrums would agree it was, but, especially when, historically, this nation seemed to support regime change (e.g. Iran, etc.), the ramifications were not desirable! The real issue is whether the USA will remain a land which follows the Rule of Law, respects foreign agreements and pacts, and is respected as the voice of democracy and freedom, throughout our planet!

This issue is a complicated one, which requires a well-considered approach and mindset! Will we maintain our 250-year experiment in Constitutional democracy, including respecting a Balance of Powers, to maintain checks and balances, so no individual or small group has too much unfettered power and influence? If Congress cannot control the purse-strings, and have significant say in war powers, etc., has this experiment failed? What will the future bring?