​Dangerous paradigm: On Trump, Venezuela and unhinged depredation

Context & The Gist

The article discusses the recent unprecedented action by the Trump administration – the kidnapping and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas to the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges, accompanied by a military strike without Congressional or UN authorization. This action signals a dangerous shift in U.S. foreign policy, potentially reviving a neo-imperialist approach reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine, and raising concerns about broader global instability.

The central thesis is that Trump’s actions represent a significant lowering of the threshold for acceptable international conduct, potentially emboldening other nations to engage in similar unilateral military interventions, with potentially catastrophic consequences for global peace and security. The article warns of a pattern of aggressive foreign policy, extending beyond Venezuela to include threats against Colombia, Greenland, Mexico, Cuba, and Iran.

Key Arguments & Nuances

• Erosion of International Norms: The article argues that Trump consistently disregards established international norms, but the Venezuela intervention represents a new low – a brazen act of interference and regime change through force.
• Neo-Imperialism & Resource Control: The intervention is framed not as a genuine effort to restore democracy, but as a move to seize Venezuela’s oil resources, echoing historical patterns of imperial exploitation.
• Dangerous Precedent: The action sets a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging other autocratic regimes to engage in similar destabilizing unilateral military actions against perceived enemies.
• Hypocrisy & Double Standards: The article implicitly critiques the U.S.’s selective application of international law and its past interventions, drawing parallels to situations in Ukraine and potentially Taiwan.
• Need for Collective Response: The author emphasizes the necessity of a unified response from major global powers, including India, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Latin America, to halt this dangerous new paradigm.

UPSC Syllabus Relevance

• GS Paper II: International Relations – US Foreign Policy, International Law, Role of UN, Regional Conflicts.
• GS Paper II: Governance – Impact of Foreign Policy on Global Governance, Sovereignty of Nations.
• GS Paper III: Economy – Impact of geopolitical events on global oil markets and energy security.

Prelims Data Bank

• Monroe Doctrine (1823): A U.S. foreign policy asserting that any intervention in the political affairs of American states would be viewed as a hostile act toward the U.S.
• UN Charter: The foundational treaty of the United Nations, outlining principles of international law and prohibiting the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
• Cartel de los Soles: A Venezuelan criminal organization allegedly led by high-ranking Venezuelan officials, designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.
• Venezuela Oil Reserves: Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at around 303.8 billion barrels (2023).

Mains Critical Analysis

The U.S. intervention in Venezuela presents a complex web of geopolitical, economic, and legal challenges. A PESTLE analysis reveals the following:

• Political: The intervention undermines the principle of national sovereignty and international law, potentially leading to a breakdown of the rules-based international order. It also exacerbates political polarization within Venezuela and the wider Latin American region.
• Economic: Control over Venezuela’s oil reserves is a key driver, impacting global energy markets and potentially leading to increased U.S. influence in the region. Sanctions and instability disrupt Venezuela’s economy and contribute to humanitarian crises.
• Social: The intervention fuels anti-American sentiment and could lead to increased migration and displacement. It also raises concerns about human rights violations and the potential for further violence.
• Technological: The use of advanced military technology in the intervention highlights the growing asymmetry in power between the U.S. and Venezuela.
• Legal: The intervention violates international law, specifically the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against another state without UN authorization.
• Environmental: Military actions and potential oil spills pose environmental risks to Venezuela’s ecosystems.

Critical Gap: The lack of a robust multilateral response to the intervention highlights the limitations of existing international institutions and the growing influence of unilateralism. The absence of a clear legal framework to address such interventions further exacerbates the problem.

Value Addition

• Juan Guaidó: In 2019, the U.S. recognized Juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela, challenging Maduro’s legitimacy. This move was widely criticized as interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs.
• Nicaragua v. United States (ICJ, 1986): The International Court of Justice ruled against the U.S. for supporting the Contras in Nicaragua, finding that the U.S. had violated international law by using force against Nicaragua.
• Responsibility to Protect (R2P): A global political norm that seeks to address mass atrocity crimes, but its application remains controversial and often selective.

Context & Linkages

This December 2025 article foreshadowed the current escalation, detailing the U.S.’s increasing military pressure on Venezuela under the guise of a “war on drugs.” It highlighted the lack of evidence linking Maduro to drug trafficking and raised concerns about potential violations of international law, setting the stage for the recent intervention.

Published just days before the current events, this article directly criticized the Trump administration’s intervention as a revival of U.S. imperialism, drawing parallels to the Iraq War. It identified the motivations as resource control, disrupting Latin American ties with China, and reasserting the Monroe Doctrine, providing crucial context for understanding the current crisis.

This article detailed the escalating tensions in December 2025, including the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, framing it as an act of piracy. It underscored the U.S.’s long-standing efforts to destabilize Venezuela and its support for opposition figures, providing a historical perspective on the current intervention.

The Way Forward

• Multilateral Diplomacy: The UN should play a more active role in mediating the crisis and promoting dialogue between the U.S. and Venezuela.
• Respect for Sovereignty: The U.S. must respect Venezuela’s sovereignty and refrain from unilateral military interventions.
• International Legal Framework: Strengthen the international legal framework to address unilateral actions and ensure accountability for violations of international law.
• Economic Assistance: Provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and support its economic recovery.
• Regional Cooperation: Encourage regional cooperation to address the root causes of instability in Latin America.