The ‘Putinization’ of US foreign policy has arrived in Venezuela
Few anticipated that 2026 would usher in a period of tranquility, and it took just two days to have those greatest fears validated. The strikes against Venezuela overnight, the seizing of its leader, Nicolás Maduro, along with his spouse, and Donald Trump’s pronouncement that the US would “control” the nation and exploit its oil, have smashed through existing international laws and norms. However, that is not even the most alarming aspect. Since assuming office almost a year ago, Donald Trump has been bulldozing through that increasingly precarious structure, leaving it largely in ruins. The events that transpired overnight were preceded by airstrikes targeting small vessels in Central American waters and the killing of their crews based on unsubstantiated claims of drug trafficking, not to mention the armed confiscation of Venezuelan oil ships on the high seas. It remains unclear how many individuals lost their lives during Maduro’s capture in the early hours of Saturday.Regarding global stability, the most troubling aspect of Maduro’s abduction is that it succeeded.Trump’s conviction in his own global supremacy and his ambition to seize the territory and resources of other nations had been curtailed—until now—by his reluctance to get entangled in foreign conflicts. He falsely asserted that he had ended eight wars, and his primary goal in 2025 appeared to be obtaining the Nobel Peace Prize. Less than a month ago, he showcased a hastily manufactured alternative, the FIFA Peace Prize. That act of self-aggrandizement by the governing body of world football seems even more ludicrous now than when Trump donned the gold medal around his neck.Trump’s trepidation regarding foreign wars seems to be dissipating. He clearly found exhilaration in the spectacle of the Maduro operation and the effectiveness of the American troops involved, asserting on Saturday he was “not afraid” to send ground forces into Venezuela to pursue his interests. For a president growing older and increasingly petulant, irritable, and incoherent each day he remains in office—facing dwindling popularity and desperate to divert attention from the Epstein child-trafficking scandal—a tighter embrace of military force is a concerning trend.Maduro is a dictator who has governed an authoritarian regime since 2013, aided by elections widely considered manipulated. Photograph: Leonardo Fernández Viloria/ReutersOn Saturday morning, Trump appeared euphoric over the military achievement. “A lot of excellent planning and a great, great team and fantastic troops,” Trump stated to the New York Times. “It was an exceptional operation, actually.”The assault on Venezuela indicates that the appeal of foreign territories, oil, and minerals now shines brighter than the Nobel Prize.Others in the Trump administration were mostly left to articulate the attack in legal terms, suggesting that Maduro was being “held accountable.” The Venezuelan leader faced indictment in the US at the close of Trump’s first term on charges of corruption, drug trafficking, and various other offenses.Maduro is a dictator who has presided over an authoritarian regime since 2013 with the support of elections largely deemed rigged. Nevertheless, the specific drug accusations leveled against him by the US are seen as weak by most analysts and would not provide credible justification under international or US law for the incursion into Venezuela or Maduro’s abduction. In numerous declarations, Trump has made it evident that he is more greedily focused on Venezuela’s oil rather than desiring to bring Maduro to justice or deliver democracy to the Venezuelan populace.Hours post-Maduro’s ousting, Trump announced the US was prepared to step in to revitalize Venezuela’s dilapidated, sanctions-battered oil sector. “We’ll be exporting significant amounts of oil,” he remarked.The international norms and regulations that Trump has disregarded had already been eroded by prior US administrations. The operation draws close parallels to the 1990 invasion of Panama and the enforced surrender of its ruler by the inaugural Bush administration.This was succeeded by George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq based on false pretenses, along with his administration’s extensive reliance on rendition and torture. Barack Obama chose not to hold his predecessor’s administration accountable and engaged in his own legally dubious drone assassination campaigns against suspected terrorists.These actions can arguably be seen as separate acts of hypocrisy by former presidents who claimed exceptions from international law in pursuit of US interests while largely acknowledging global norms, understanding that the “rules-based system” exceedingly favored America.Trump exhibits complete contempt for that system. He perceives the world through the lens of a 19th-century imperialist, yet with weaponry belonging to the 21st century.Venezuela in state of emergency after US strikes and ‘capture’ of Maduro – video reportTrump’s intentions in Venezuela to advance his objectives remain uncertain, but he clearly stated on Saturday that the “American armada” would remain stationed in the region “until the demands of the United States have been thoroughly met” – demands that likely encompass seizing control of Venezuela’s oil sector.Trump noted that Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was prepared to collaborate with Washington and mentioned he had others to position in authority. It is not clear whether Maduro’s backers possess the will or capacity to oppose a US takeover, nor whether any insurgent factions will seize the opportunity to act. A peaceful resolution appears highly unlikely.The dramatic events that unfolded overnight in Venezuela will undoubtedly spark immediate concern among governments like Iran and Denmark, countries with which Trump has expressed a readiness for decisive actions.In recent days, Trump has indicated the US would support Iranian anti-government demonstrators, and his officials have maintained a steady stream of threats to acquire Greenland by any necessary means. Last month, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service deemed the US a security risk, a statement that would have been unimaginable not long ago for a NATO ally.In his Saturday press conference, Trump also included Cuba in his prospective targets, suggesting it bears similarity to Venezuela “in that we aim to assist the Cuban people.” His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, added that Havana ought to be “worried” following the events in Venezuela.This accelerates the shift from a largely rules-based world to one characterized by competing spheres of influence, to be governed by military capability and the willingness to utilize it. US commentator David Rothkopf termed it the “Putinization of US foreign policy.”Russian commentators have often posited that Latin America lies within America’s sphere of influence, just as Ukraine was previously perceived to be under Russia’s shadow. Vladimir Putin holds a similar view for much of eastern Europe. Xi Jinping will draw his own insights from these developments.The stark reality unveiled in the initial days of 2026 poses dangers that will ultimately confront everyone.
Published: 2026-01-03 19:22:00
source: www.theguardian.com
