Maduro Captured: Liberation, Power Play, or Dangerous Precedent?

Was the liberation of Venezuela truly the only thing on President Trump’s mind?

Finally, the corrupt dictator of Venezuela has been stopped. Now that Maduro’s thirteen year old reign has reached its end, what does it mean for the future of the country, and what truly are President Trump’s ulterior motives? The abrupt abduction of Maduro ultimately raises a broader debate: should a foreign government hold the right to take a President, Dictator, or person of power from their seat of power? In Venezuela’s circumstance, I think yes. 

Venezuela has been driven into instability, economic turmoil, and an unequivocal dictatorship with Maduro’s presidency. The U.S. military’s operation of capturing Maduro ultimately only affected and killed Venezuelan security forces. However, the efficacy and force of the U.S. military might have been used as a tactical warning for authoritarian governments similar to Venezuela’s, like Cuba and Iran. 

Since Maduro’s abduction, Trump has encouraged American energy executives to engage with Venezuela’s oil reserves. It seems that Trump’s true intention with abducting Maduro was less about promoting democratic success in Venezuela and more about advancing U.S. economic interests. Venezuela has the potential to become a prosperous country because of its vast supply of oil. However, prosperity and stability will inevitably take time.

In the past, a large quantity of Venezuela’s oil has been given to China and Russia in exchange for loans, military equipment, and partnership; therefore, U.S. involvement is bound to promote tension between China and Russia, possibly even leading to an argument over Venezuelan control as a nation itself. 

Could a triple tug-of-war be the end of Venezuela? Despite the joy this action has given to many Venezuelans, it risks setting a precedent that others could exploit with an ill intent. A country should not be allowed to govern another, even in critical circumstances like this. An election in Venezuela should occur immediately. Even without an elected Venezuelan president of their own, the majority of responses has been excitement, relief, and a feeling of answered prayers. Many Venezuelans, those in the country and those who have left, had lost hope that there would be a time when they could see family again and speak freely. Undoubtedly, stability and reunions are still far away, but they are much closer than they were two weeks ago. 

image by: IISS

Mia Koopersmith ‘28