Donald Trump and the Venezuela Crisis: When Power Ambition Collides With Geopolitical Reality

Washington / New York — The United States’ military intervention in Venezuela, ordered by President Donald Trump, is rapidly becoming one of the most controversial foreign policy decisions of his current term. While the Trump administration has declared a “decisive success” following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, developments since the operation suggest a far more complicated and destabilizing reality.

Images of Mr. Maduro smiling, giving a thumbs-up to cameras, and wishing people a “Happy New Year” as he was escorted into a federal prison in New York quickly spread across American social media platforms. Rather than reinforcing Washington’s message of triumph, the footage appeared to undermine it, raising questions about whether the United States had truly achieved control over the situation it unleashed.

Venezuela Refuses to Yield

According to regional analysts and Latin American sources, the arrest of Mr. Maduro has not resulted in the collapse of Venezuela’s governing apparatus. Governors and military officials loyal to the former president have, at least for now, shown no indication of surrendering authority or relinquishing control over the country’s oil infrastructure.

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former vice president and now regarded by Maduro loyalists as the country’s interim legitimate leader, has publicly rejected Washington’s claims. In statements circulated widely online, she insisted that Venezuela “will not accept occupation by a foreign power” and emphasized that “the Venezuelan people did not elect Donald Trump to govern their country.”

Maria Corina Machado Sidelined

One of the most striking aspects of the unfolding crisis has been President Trump’s dismissal of Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s most prominent opposition leader and a figure long supported by European governments, Canada, and Australia as a pro-democracy voice.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Trump suggested that Venezuelans “do not respect” Ms. Machado and described her as “a nice lady” who lacks the ability to rule. The remarks shocked diplomats who had viewed her as a central figure in any post-Maduro transition.

French President Emmanuel Macron later stated that he had spoken directly with Ms. Machado and reaffirmed France’s support for “a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela.”

The “Don Row Doctrine” and Hemispheric Dominance

As the Venezuela situation escalated, President Trump introduced what he calls the “Don Row Doctrine,” a term promoted through posts from accounts associated with his political operation. One widely shared cartoon depicts Mr. Trump standing atop North America, Central America, and South America, symbolizing U.S. dominance over the Western Hemisphere.

In a recent speech, Mr. Trump declared that the United States must use its power to dominate its “sphere of influence,” while suggesting that Russia and China should be free to exert similar control over Europe and Asia. Foreign policy experts warn that this worldview, rooted in 19th-century imperial logic, threatens the foundations of the modern international order.

Domestic Backlash Grows

At home, opposition to the Venezuela intervention is intensifying. A recent YouGov poll shows that only 16 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of independents support occupying Venezuela, compared with 60 percent of Republicans.

Representative Eric Swalwell of California summarized the skepticism bluntly: “Donald Trump couldn’t even run a casino. Now he thinks he can run a country of 28 million people.”

Large protests have erupted in New York City, Chicago, and other major urban centers, with demonstrators condemning what they describe as a resource-driven war.

A Torrent of Conspiracy Claims

As international tensions rise, President Trump has continued to post a barrage of inflammatory messages online. He has revived claims that the CIA “overthrew the U.S. government” during the 2020 election and circulated conspiracy-laden videos accusing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of involvement in the assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman—an allegation unsupported by evidence.

Political analysts argue that the volume and extremity of these posts reflect a deliberate effort to dominate the news cycle.

The Epstein Files and a “Wag the Dog” Moment

The timing of the Venezuela invasion has also drawn scrutiny. The crisis coincides with missed Department of Justice deadlines under the Epstein Transparency Act, which required reports on document reviews and redactions related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Several commentators have suggested that the sudden escalation abroad represents a classic “wag the dog” strategy—manufacturing an external crisis to distract from politically damaging domestic developments.

A More Unstable World

As President Trump simultaneously threatens military action against Nigeria, Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, U.S. allies are expressing increasing alarm. Observers warn that the convergence of unilateral military actions, conspiracy-driven rhetoric, and resource-focused expansionism risks accelerating the world toward a broader and more dangerous global conflict.

Rather than demonstrating American strength, the Venezuela crisis is exposing fundamental questions about the limits of power, the costs of imperial ambition, and the fragility of global stability in the 21st century.