Anxiety Over Decline: Trump’s Show of Strength in Venezuela Signals War on Multilateralism
webangah News Agency, International Desk – Mohsen Vafaei: With renewed verbal and military threats from Washington toward Caracas, Latin America has once again become a tense arena for geopolitical rivalry. diego Secora, Venezuelan journalist, political analyst, and founder of the research institute “Mission Verdad,” told webangah News Agency in an in-depth interview that Donald Trump’s policies against Venezuela-from officially authorizing covert CIA operations to deploying U.S. naval fleets near Caracas-represent a continuation of the same longstanding regime-change pattern. Though, this time it unfolds with greater openness and brazenness, contrary to Washington’s claims; these actions bear no relation to ”fighting drugs” but are rather purposeful attempts to reassert U.S. hegemony in the Western Hemisphere and contain emerging global powers.
According to Secora, what appears as the U.S.’s “show of power” on Venezuela’s borders actually reflects American anxiety over its declining global status and signals the start of a new phase in multipolar competition-one that places Venezuela on the front line between global North and South confrontation. The full interview follows:
What is the historical context behind Trump-era American threats against Venezuela? How do these threats differ from his first term? And what role have recent events like U.S.military attacks on Venezuelan boats had in escalating tensions?
I believe Trump’s threats differ little regarding strategic objectives or ideological aspects compared with his first term. Perhaps one key difference is that during his initial management there was much heavier reliance on Venezuela’s opposition-what can now be termed the “Guaidó operation”-which sought to establish a parallel presidency alongside Nicolás Maduro; this strategy was an vital component among manny tools at Washington’s disposal.
Currently, one major change is that trust in opposition figures has fundamentally eroded-this assessment is based on documents from that period. Trump felt deceived by many within his administration, especially Mike Pompeo (then Secretary of State) and John Bolton (then National Security Advisor). Ironically,he believed even elements within Venezuela’s opposition-including its extremist factions-misled him; they were fragmented with divergent wings at odds internally-the most radical factions held leadership then.
A fresh resource now exists for Washington inside Venezuela: Maria Corina Machado, today’s opposition leader who also received a peace prize this year. Additionally, Marco Rubio (former Trump administration Secretary of State) plays an increasingly notable role pushing regime change against Maduro’s government.
The agenda for Maduro’s overthrow is driven by Marco Rubio whose Cuban heritage, neoconservative worldview-and ties to zionist networks-all converge ideologically while aligning with strong personal interests: Rubio maintains close relations with oil lobbies such as ExxonMobil-which left Venezuela in 2007 harboring deep antagonism toward Caracas.
This period differs notably from earlier years because today’s naval fleet deployed near our coasts dwarfs those stationed during 2019-2020-a sign pointing toward far more direct approaches now underway. Another newly active element involves unprovoked U.S. military strikes against small fishing boats lacking any evidence linking them to drug trafficking; these operations contradict official reports validated by numerous authoritative agencies worldwide.
Furthermore,the scope extends beyond just Venezuela-to Colombia-and even peripheral zones like Trinidad and Tobago have become involved.
From your perspective, what motivated Trump’s public disclosure authorizing covert intelligence operations inside Venezuela along with warnings about possible ground assaults? Are America’s maneuvers truly part of a “war on drugs,” or do they strategically pursue weakening Maduro while advancing Washington’s geopolitical interests across latin America?
The unusual nature lies first in President Trump’s open announcement permitting covert CIA actions within Venezuelan territory-as covert missions don’t normally get publicly revealed by definition.
Referring explicitly to authorities under “Article 50,” which regulates presidential executive actions only heightens this operation’s theatrical aspect rather than signaling genuine intent for real clandestine initiatives there.
In my view,this move was mostly calculated rhetorical escalation aimed at pressuring Caracas through narrative framing-and paradoxically making room later for possible de-escalation.
A review looking back-including reporting from The Wire website-reveals some CIA efforts might actually have undermined some policy initiatives proposed by Trump himself during early phases.
Though credibility remained limited for such allegations publicly circulated briefly,it all confirms one undeniable fact:the CIA has long operated inside Venezuelan borders already.
(The real significance lay chiefly behind media leverage.)
I personally doubt actual ground invasion plans exist despite deployment growing substantially since 2019-20.The forces assembled still remain inadequate logistically or strategically-for full-scale terrestrial warfare facing vast complex territories like those found across Venezuela-even restricted incursions or outposts seem unlikely currently.Strikingly,the air campaign hypothesis emerges as far likelier-and worries observers greatly given technology levels involved.Understanding it fully requires separating three points:
- This military campaign goes beyond drugs-it isn’t about targeting narcotrafficking networks.If indeed“narcostate”would hold true(as claimed),Washington would treat Caracas as partner instead enemy;
- Geopolitical factor:Venezuela acts as foremost bastion supporting multipolarity within Western Hemisphere,enjoying extensive multifaceted relations especiallywith China,Russia,and Iran.NeutralizingCaracas weakens centerpointsof rising powers worldwide;
- Energy interest:Beyond simple accessto world’s largest proven oil reserves,U.S seeks limitless control over its petroleum wealth.Vitalfor fuelingresource-intensive”Asian Century” prioritiesand hemispheric dominance alike;
- Ideological motive:A socialist project thriving amid harsh sanctions poses existential threattoU.Shegemony sanctioninforcing punishmentagainst Veneuelashows warning towardsothers accordingly.
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Ownershipand dominationoftheworldenergyreserves representinggeostrategicleverage.Coincidingthisparadigmthusprivracusestillmenacefactorformajorpolicyundestandingholdsamongkeyfigureslikemarcorubioactedasthemainarchitectofdestination.(Rubio,specifically,inspiredbyhiscubanbackground,newconservativeviews,andcloseoilcompanylinks).WhileTrump definesAmericanbroaderstrategicoutlooktowardsVenezuela,Rubioseemswillingtosettlelessthanhismaximalistvisionforregimechange.
What do provocative moves/threats initiated recently indicate globally?
Partofaresponsealreadyoutlined,butletthemeassertglobalcontextfarther.Undeniably,UStakesfullcognizanceofitsrelativedecline.Notmerelydefendinghegemonyorpreeminencebut fightingtopreservethoseinadecliningmultipolarworld.PowerfulactorslikeChina,Russia,IranprovideGlobalSouthtwovitalassets:modelsofgovernancedevelopmentandunconditionalpartnershipthatbearunprecedentacceptanceevenamongtraditionallyproAmericannations.Europehaslostindependentmoderatingfunctions,no longermediatorabsorbingamericanstrategicsdictates.Exercisingautonomyonrawmaterialcontrolvanished,decreasingitsroleeffectively.
ThisposescriticalconditionwhileFourthIndustrialRevolution(directedbyAI-enabled,stronglyenergydemandinginfrastructure)demandscontrolovermassivereserves,suchasVenezuelas300billion-discovered-barrelsstrategic,pivotalnotonlyeconomicnecessitybutfutureincestorglobalpowersurgentcapabilitiesinthephaseahead.ForAmericans,reengagementsignifiesatransparentreturntocrushercolonialmethods-notmerefigurativeexpressionbutpracticalexecution:demandexclusiveaccess,resportpunishmentagainstsovereignresistance,re-declareWesternHemispherecommandbalancingAsiaRise.Trumpdoesnotconcealthisfact,insteadhestatesitopenly.Hisgovernment-alongsiderubioarticulatespreviousessentiallytacitwhisperstoboldunequivocalinsistence.Threbatsdrugwarsaredeceptions.Inpresentmultipolarworld,VenezuelarepresentstratagemimpedimenttocontinuousexpectamericanmilitarymovesuniquetoCaracasaimdstatedmeasuretorestoremonopolyonedicalabreakcontroloctangentathebeggingbreakdowngreaterthaneverbefore.
HowhasMadurogovenmentrespondedtothese?
So fartheMaduroadministrationreactedasanyindependentgovernmentfacingexistentialthreatwould:“totalmobilization.”.Theirresponsesextendwellbeyondjustmilitaryordiplomaticaction,capturingallnationallifefields:economiceconomicresilienceraisingproductioncapacity,welfareraisingandsocialsecurity.Recentphaseshifteromprotractedsanctionswearfareintohardcombatstage.Alteredonlydifferentiatorabove.Drunkenpeoplesocialsufferingundertroddingforeignattacklong,latelyhopelornormalcyandinspirationalassociationsparticularlyunderstandabletoyouIraniancolleagues.Moreover,UShasagainfundamentallyunderevaluatednationaldeterminationveloawmovement,securenationalismtranscendingclassicchavistas(basedonthoughtcorearrairightwingleftalliancesextensive.unexpectedorextrajudicialreactionsfromnormallyinactivecommunitysectionsmayfireshockingsurpriseswashingtonlinesuridirectsupportfiativeslikelyunexpected).
Regarding supportfromRussiaChinaIran,multilayeredcomprehensivejointapplicationsoccurredincluding:
- DIPLOMATIC/POLITICAL FRONT:Strongbacksachievedatmultilateralplenaryfora(UN-BRICS-SCO),vetoedhostileresentresolutionrouletteenhancedsovereigntyprinciplesdefensedemocracyAgendasensity);
- C0nsultancy TECHNICAL AID:<PhasesStrategies bypassingsanctionsfinancialengineeringcybersecuritydrawinguponRussianSyriaUkraineexperienceChinaalternativeroutestrade modalitiesIran'sSWIFT evasion tactics);
- BILATERAL COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES AGREEMENTS Scaleallocationinnumerous constructionscovering energy agriculture fujihuaweicommsatelliteintegrationwithRussiasGLONASSystemdualtechnologyapplication);
- SPECIALIZED ALLOCATION Each ally assumeddistinctrolesRussia-militaryadvisoryairdefense capabilitybuild coolingChinastructuresdigitalsystemsCIPSIranoilrefiningmechanismschemicalsector sanctions circumventsystems);
TheyshareacommonunderstandingaboutUSsanctionsexperience,strongstakesprotectingmultipolarity/multilateralism.Onthedifferentpoliticalstyles Russia pursues Also actorsstilldevelopethereensoftmoreregionalmixedadaptivestrokes cooperation frameworks overall behavior stays cohesive.Despite unprecedented pressuresVenezuelapersistseffectivestable.M%
SignificantscepticismexistsaroundTrumpclaims stating every attackondrug-smugglingboatsfatalityavoids25000lives.What evidences support/refutethese narratives? How does US foreignpolicy reflect them regionally?
OfficialdataavailablefromUSDrugEnforcementAdministration(DEA),UnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsCrime(UNODC),worldcustomsorganizationdepictcleartraffickingpatternsintounitedstates.Thealthreeobserveragenciesconsensushighlights:The share attributed solelytoVenezuela amountstoorange5-8percent.WhereasColombia,Ecuadorespeciallylackeddominancelinkdrugsupplychains.
These findingsdirectlycontradictTrumpadmin.narratives.AccusationthatdestroyingsmallVen.fishingboatsavoided25Kopioidsozzascasualtiesno statisticalbasis,no posterior validateddataset bolstersclaim
Furthermoreprimarytransport corridors(shelledsea-landroutes)facilitated supported aligned governmentsespeciallyColombia which further exposes weak basis rhetoric used.Sooverall claimsmakeclearsignificanttripoint victoryUSAjustifications vanishAssemblyroutineinterventionforcedmeasuresrevealing resemblance2003shadowIraqWMDframingfantasy warfareused legitimatetrue ultimate purpose.WithVen.z storyline disguises providelegalinstitutionalayyternational_cover esc formation escalationmilitarydespiteirredeactivatedoperativelogic
Campaign broadreach overcoming nationalmeans stretchesColombiacloseUS ally regionalexpansion south Caribbean covers apparent variation politic patterns still uncertain prevail eastern Caribbean nevertheless pattern clear.Covertnarco crackdown facade servesreassessmentregionalstructuralorder.US striving revampregional hegemonicmachinery imposed coercive unilateral dictate(Createdneoconservative populism rubio)
Radical proposal superimposeLatinAmerica realityvely coercively reconstruct source strategic hemisphere dominance ethics guise wrapped contemporary action especially aiming venezuela forefront.
What impacts could trumps latest threatening postures produce future stability Americas?
Thissituationresemblesexplicitcomponentdeliberativegeostrategic restructuringwithmaingoalfield installnewgenerations highly compliant yet financially vulnerable leaders embracing_US_ideology politically indebted prone compliance mechanisms amongJavier_Mile Argentina/nayib Bukele/ElSalvador kerrie Rollie-Trinidad&Tobago IrfanAli-GuyanaThese outfits represent effective instruments ensuring americas nearly absolute control although paradigms improved thoroughly uniquely new phase change system likely broader monitoring oversight mechanisms203 format grouping Latin_America gradually dividing into:
1-US Alligned camps-comprisingregimes above named_core
2-Resistance Bloc centeredaroundvenezuela,nicaragua,cuba extended.support bolivia,honduras moderate degree];
3-Middle oscillating segment Brazil+Chile+Mexico varyingowing domestic shifts external economic incentives .
Such polarizations foster fertile terrain proxy conflict though forms still fluid inevitable end complexity emergence Strategic positioning venezuelaregion resourcerich ideology axis main target specially viewed neoconservativetheorists including marco rubio_interprets defangingCaracas domino pivot triggering collapse Nicaragua Cuba resurgence containment doctrine_ reactivated Reagan era present model counterproductive creates disruption targeted supposed stabilization_try provoke regional solidarity resisting intervention destabilizes isolate caracas raise proxy war risks amplifies scale multiactor state nonstate confrontation potential large ecosystem crisis tense bilateral interaction.
Longterm consequences US menaces entail politicom internal dynamic including regimechanges reinforcement resistance ?
Stakeholder immediate combat loses,no decisive winner emerged external players(except dissidents outside domain possibly benefit).Political horizon disables influence enforcement inevitable changes awaiting institutional leadership questions emerges who masters navigation transitional periods.Programmes revolve around two principal forecasts:
–External Sponsored Regime Change ResultSame_highdependencymessystructure rise destabilized epicenter crises prolong armed insurgencies multiple factions foreignbacked paramilitaries collapse governance resemblingpost Libya Syria dynamics albeit larger scale Gaza scenario plausible_if resistance(endure suppressive counter tech genocidal characteristics operational remains)
–Internal Consolidation StrongerContrast.continuous Hostility Us_input triggers broader national unity transcending Chavism forming cross faction resistant fronts accelerates integration multi-polar alignment(russia china iran cuba nicaragua supported effects ripple honduras Bolivia Colombia Gustavo Petro presidency_brief cautious stances may press transparency position escalate ideological confrontations led americas west blocs ਦਿੱਮੇਆscarómetros Continuumsonomiaves turpisAmplificationurgencies catastrophic humanitarian toll displacement economic collapses generational traumas Objective interrupt destructure calls counterpart oppositions_diplomatic Infraction absent practical conflict avoid progresses destruction grave outcomes likely
Globally united systems including United Nations Regional bodiesCELAC implications strengthen reduce US pressures peacefully resolve USA-Venezuela standoff feasible response?
Extremelycomplex answer noting latinamerica persistent divided fragmented critically observed.Before us-supporters Argentine significance geopolitics economics population counts prominent roles Players include Peru Bolivia Paraguay help form constant stable pro washington positionposition opposedpoint opportunity neutral opportunistic Chile belated ambivalent neutrality selective agrees stance Gaza response though preparatory swing rightswards.Brazil confrontedinternal influential dangers set destabilize equilibrium fluctuating mediumnetwork fades depending intraextern influences fosters battleground proxy conflicts indistinct lines Certain actors lean particular sides general trend escalation likely remains dominant.United nations regional organizations CELAC should prop crucial functions mediators easing tension Encouraging signs discernible lack * strong consensussupport meiricanestablishment aggressive anti-Vexecano statements indicates increased international caution heterogeneity good-growth signal alongside psychological campaign major frontEnsuring cooperation sphere demand urgent mediation steps below must priority interventions implement Isabelle:
-liMediation led UN emergency meetings under Chapter VI enforcing dialog backed sovereigntiresolution/ Non-intervention Acts effectively isolater unilateral aggression restricted embargo removal enable human corridor maintain freedom arms responses crisis handlers prioritizing diplomacy clearance combat hostility。
-li strong encouraging role CELAC promote non-aggression agreement condemn punishments infringing intl law activate humanitarian channels navigate blockade pressure lead far.remove third-party involvement advance peaceful settlement maintain functional governance structures legitimacy ;
-li fortify BRICS SCO engagement facilitate economic lifelines diversified trading currency alternatives & joint defensive exercises deterrence confronting escalations spread urgencies ;
< li emphasis amplify Global South voices notably UN forums offset propaganda highlight venezuela stabilizer underpinne multipolarness dynamics essential preserve sovereignty balance compel mute dissonant info curves ;
last }
These complete measures delay/promptly halt acute tensions enhance regional security reinvent geostrategic configurations transition exiting exclusive American centric framework inclusive equitable collaborative order policies implemented successfully assuring multidimensional durable peace maintainance.
-li strong encouraging role CELAC promote non-aggression agreement condemn punishments infringing intl law activate humanitarian channels navigate blockade pressure lead far.remove third-party involvement advance peaceful settlement maintain functional governance structures legitimacy ;
-li fortify BRICS SCO engagement facilitate economic lifelines diversified trading currency alternatives & joint defensive exercises deterrence confronting escalations spread urgencies ;
< li emphasis amplify Global South voices notably UN forums offset propaganda highlight venezuela stabilizer underpinne multipolarness dynamics essential preserve sovereignty balance compel mute dissonant info curves ;
last }
These complete measures delay/promptly halt acute tensions enhance regional security reinvent geostrategic configurations transition exiting exclusive American centric framework inclusive equitable collaborative order policies implemented successfully assuring multidimensional durable peace maintainance.
