đź”— Share this article From Superpower to Rogue State: The Implications of the US Seizure of Venezuela's Maduro Against the backdrop of the widespread uncertainty following the US strikes on Venezuela, the seizure of leader Nicolás Maduro, and the declaration by Donald Trump that the US will “run” the country and “reclaim the petroleum resources”, one thing is clear – this establishes a truly chilling precedent. A Grim History and a New Escalation The United States has a grim history of interference, invasion and occupation in Latin America, but the recent overnight operation witnessed its first major military attack on the soil of a South American nation. “American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again,” the President stated. The move to assault another sovereign country and seize its president – just a short time after he openly looked for a diplomatic solution – carries even broader implications. This ought to concern everyone. Profound Uncertainty for Venezuela Venezuelans have lived through a dictatorship marked by theft and failure under Mr Maduro, widely believed to have fraudulently won the most recent election. They now face profound uncertainty at best. Mr Trump has remarked that the vice president, Delcy RodrĂguez would follow US instructions, and brushed aside rightwing opposition leader and Nobel prize-winner MarĂa Corina Machado as a viable alternative. However, Ms RodrĂguez, now the interim president, has so far sounded notes of defiance – and other factions of the decapitated regime are far more intransigent. The Superpower as Rogue State A man who won power promising to abandon foreign wars now says he is “unconcerned about deploying troops”. Renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War was a substantive signal. He no longer views the world’s superpower as a global policeman; he is transforming it into a rogue state. He holds the view that the US’s might enables it to do as it wishes with scant penalty: observe the military actions against Nigeria and Iranian installations. He claims that Venezuelan oil means this most recent venture “will be financially free”. A Move Devoid of International Legitimacy George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq on a lie. But this unlawful assault came lacking any form of UN approval or congressional approval; key legislators received no advance notice and say they were actively misled in briefings. Mr Trump doesn’t seek to bend international norms, but to obliterate them. Put aside the message this sends to leaders in Moscow, Beijing, and beyond, and consider the destination for America itself. While the raid allegedly resulted in the deaths of 40 Venezuelans, including civilians, no US personnel died. Mr Trump’s growing sense of invincibility will surely embolden more reckless actions. The Stated Reason Versus the Real Aims It is widely rejected the excuse that this is concerning narcotics. Venezuela is only a minor conduit for cocaine; Mr Trump recently exonerated the past Honduran leader Juan Orlando Hernández for narcotics and arms offenses. Mr Trump himself made it clear that he is driven by the lure of oil as well as machismo, the beliefs held by certain advisors, and the desire for glory as his support at home declines. World Leaders' Silence and a Weakened UN The worldwide reception, especially in Europe, has – with a few principled deviations – been surprisingly subdued. That’s not because of Mr Maduro’s sins, but anxiety over Mr Trump’s wrath. The strong reaction from UN Secretary General AntĂłnio Guterres was welcome, but this episode emphasizes the UN's diminishing clout. Mr Trump’s voters who oppose foreign entanglements could yet press him to turn attention back home – but escalating insurance prices, public anxiety over the economy and other domestic scandals make foreign conflicts more appealing. It has been less than 12 months into his presidential term. World leaders may live to repent if they remain quiet at this juncture, given what – and who – could be next.