🔗 Share this article From Superpower to Rogue State: The Implications of the US Seizure of Venezuela's Maduro Amid the widespread uncertainty surrounding the American military actions on Venezuela, the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro, and Donald Trump's announcement that the US will “manage” the country and “reclaim the petroleum resources”, one thing is clear – these actions create a profoundly disturbing precedent. A Grim History and a New Escalation The United States carries a troubling legacy of interference, invasion and occupation in the region, but the early hours of Saturday witnessed its first major military attack on South American land. “The preeminence of America in this region is now beyond dispute,” the President stated. The decision to unilaterally attack another sovereign country and abduct its leader – mere days after he openly looked for a diplomatic solution – carries even broader implications. It should alarm us all. A Nation Left in Limbo Venezuelans have suffered under an oppressive, corrupt, and inept government under Mr Maduro, largely considered to have stolen the last election. They now face profound uncertainty at best. Mr Trump has indicated that Maduro's second-in-command, Delcy Rodríguez would follow US instructions, and dismissed prominent critic and Nobel prize-winner María Corina Machado as a credible successor. However, Ms Rodríguez, now the interim president, has so far adopted a posture of resistance – and other elements of the decapitated regime are far more intransigent. A Shift in Global Role A man who won power vowing to end foreign wars now says he is “not afraid of boots on the ground”. Redesignating the Department of Defense as the Department of War was a substantive signal. He fails to perceive the world’s superpower as a international peacekeeper; he is converting it into a renegade nation. He believes that the United States' strength enables it to do as it wishes with little consequence: witness the military actions against Nigeria and Iranian installations. He asserts that the oil resources of Venezuela means this latest episode “won’t cost us a penny”. An Illegal Assault on Sovereignty George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq on a lie. But this illegal attack came absent any United Nations mandate or the consent of the US Congress; the opposition party was kept in the dark and say they were actively misled in briefings. Mr Trump doesn’t seek to bend international norms, but to destroy them. Disregard the signal this transmits to global powers like Russia and China, and question the future path of the United States. While the raid is said to have slain 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, not a single US soldier was lost. Mr Trump’s increasing belief in his impunity will likely encourage further adventurism. The Stated Reason Versus the Real Aims It is widely rejected the pretext that this is concerning narcotics. Venezuela is only a secondary pathway for cocaine; Mr Trump recently pardoned the ex-leader of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández for narcotics and arms offenses. Mr Trump himself has stated plainly that he is propelled by the lure of oil as well as machismo, the worldview of key officials, and the appetite for triumphalism as his support at home declines. A Muted Global Reaction and Institutional Irrelevance The global reaction, especially in Europe, has – with honourable exceptions – been alarmingly quiet. That’s not because of Mr Maduro’s sins, but anxiety over Mr Trump’s wrath. The strong reaction from UN Secretary General António Guterres was welcome, but this episode highlights the institution’s growing irrelevance. Mr Trump’s isolationist supporters at home could potentially force him to focus on domestic issues once more – but escalating insurance prices, financial discontent and distracting files increase his appetite for distraction. Barely 12 months into his time in office. Other governments may live to repent if they remain quiet at this juncture, with the question of which nation is next looming.