The United States is escalating its campaign for regime change in Venezuela. Former President Donald Trump has recently suggested that a land invasion may occur “very shortly.” The U.S. federal government has retaliated in an aggressive manner. It unequivocally calls for the ousting of incumbent president Nicolas Maduro and supports opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
For months now the U.S. has been doubling down on Machado. Like her compatriate Nobel Peace Prize laureate, economic neoliberal, Venezuelan oil privatizer and fan of U.S. intervention in Caracas, Maria Corina Machado. The Trump administration’s support marks a strategic shift aimed at destabilizing Maduro’s government, which has faced increasing scrutiny over allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. According to reports, at least 87 people have been killed in what human rights organizations describe as state-sponsored violence.
Just this week, the dramatic seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela by U.S. forces demonstrates that the tensions are far from over. This action is merely one facet of a larger strategy that boasts the most extensive military buildup in Latin America in decades. The Pentagon has intensified operations, striking alleged drug boats in both the Caribbean and Pacific regions, further illustrating the U.S. commitment to combating drug trafficking and supporting regime change efforts in Venezuela.
Alan McPherson, a historian and the director of Temple University’s Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy, warns against the increased militarization of Latin America. He argues that it shows the U.S.’s continuing interest in changing political realities across the region. He emphasizes that the current administration’s approach signals a willingness to consider foreign intervention as a viable option for addressing the Venezuelan crisis.
The U.S. government’s unmistakable desire for regime change is rooted in both geopolitical and humanitarian concerns. Officials argue that Maduro’s leadership has led to widespread economic collapse and social unrest, prompting millions of Venezuelans to flee their country. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has fueled calls for intervention, with U.S. policymakers citing the need to restore democracy and stability.
As tensions escalate, the international community remains on high alert. The fallout from a military intervention, or just from Washington’s ongoing aggressive tactics, would be catastrophic for Venezuelans—and for people in neighboring countries as well. The focus now shifts to how the Biden administration will navigate this complex situation, balancing diplomatic efforts with the potential for increased military engagement.
