Venezuela: Does the second go?

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Is Trump Finally Ready to Tackle the Venezuelan Tyranny?

They say that the third time’s the charm, and in the case of USA-Venezuela relations, President Donald Trump seems poised to make a bold move during his second term. Could this be the moment when he picks up where he left off and liberates the oppressed Venezuelan people from their oppressive regime?

Rumor has it that the former president is gearing up for a spectacular comeback, even considering a constitutional modification to extend his reign. The hope he ignited in 2019 with the rise of Juan Guaidó still lingers among Venezuelans. At that time, Trump mobilized naval forces in a show of strength against the corrupt Caracas regime, which has long been accused of being a drug-trafficking state.

Back then, everything seemed primed for Guaidó’s takeover. If you remember, he boldly appeared at a military base, rallying troops to defy the tyrant Maduro. Speculation of a U.S. intervention was rampant, but ultimately turned to smoke as Guaidó faced exile while María Corina Machado fought from within Venezuela’s beleaguered opposition.

Trump’s Tough Talk Against Global Drug Cartels

Fast forward six years, and the situation is heating up again. With Marco Rubio at the helm of the State Department, the U.S. is not just sitting back and watching. They’re flexing their military might with cruise missile launches and fast-attack submarines near Venezuela, sending a clear message: the U.S. will not tolerate regimes that threaten our interests.

President Trump has vowed to take drastic measures against Maduro’s illegitimate government, including cracking down on the Los Soles cartel. His focus isn’t just on Venezuela; he’s extending his reach into Mexico as well, albeit with a more lenient tone under the current administration. The rhetoric with Caracas, however, is anything but diplomatic, switching between threats and negotiations aimed at addressing issues like deportation.

Are We on the Brink of Action in Venezuela?

With military maneuvers ramping up in the Caribbean, the question arises: are we nearing an escalation that could see the U.S. launch an intervention? Political analyst Carlos Raúl Hernández expresses skepticism regarding the feasibility of such an operation right before midterms, citing a 2019 report cautioning against it. He argues that Trump’s foreign policy, while bold, doesn’t favor military intervention without significant justification.

“Here people are calm in the midst of their submission,” Hernández notes. Can we really expect the Venezuelan people to rise when they feel shackled by their own government?

Currently, the military presence of the U.S. in international waters seems more about exerting pressure than preparing for a Panama-style invasion. The Venezuelan opposition may cling to the hope that Trump’s return will ignite a coup or a popular uprising, a hope reminiscent of 2019’s fervor. But on the ground, it’s a different story; the public remains subdued as U.S. warships patrol the Caribbean.