The American attack on Venezuela violates all international laws that the collective West claims to “swear by.” Consider the European Union’s response: “We are monitoring the situation.” WhatsApp gossipers may look at this as a “great” act of “bravery,” but what kind of bravery is this when you intimidate a neighbour that is neither large in size nor strong in military power? The American act resembled a typical gangster operation, which kidnapped the president of an independent and sovereign state Nicolus Maduro. Increasingly, this has become the model adopted by the United States and the West, including Israel, for which they have remained unaccountable. With enormous corporate power, they control global resources. As their own resources deplete, they are now eyeing smaller countries rich in rare earth minerals and energy reserves.
A Gangster Model of Power: How the US Treats Sovereign States
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee will have to respond on whether it supports the American attack on Venezuela, as it indirectly provided legitimacy to such aggression by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to an individual who openly advocated US bombing of Caracas and promised her country’s natural resources at the altar of American corporate oligarchs. This is clearly a war to capture natural resources and control economies, as the US appears to be losing economically to China and militarily to Russia.
If anyone doubts why the US or Donald Trump are so keen to “stop the war” in Ukraine, they should observe his style of functioning. He is using Gaza in the same way. After genocide, Gaza is being handed over to American corporations, many of them linked to Trump’s associates. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and American bombing in Nigeria connect the dots—suggesting that Iran could be next. It is evident that Trump and his team pose one of the gravest threats to world peace. In the name of ending wars, Trump is openly pushing a business-first agenda. He failed in the Russia–Ukraine war because of Russia’s power position, and had Russia not possessed nuclear weapons, the US and Europe would have finished it long ago.
From Gaza to Venezuela: War as a Corporate Business Plan
If we look at US military interventions under various pretexts, they are essentially aimed at eliminating the leadership of a country and installing less ambitious leaders who function as vassals of the United States. All of this is done in the name of “democracy” and the “rule of law.” Donald Trump even mocks Putin for taking too long in Ukraine, because the American pattern is familiar: carpet bombing, eliminating top leadership, and installing a compliant regime. America has rarely cared about the countries it bombed; its primary objective has always been securing resources for its corporate oligarchs. The attack on Venezuela will boomerang. Latin America is neither the Middle East nor Afghanistan. Bombing a country and capturing its leader may be easier for American power, but it does not guarantee acceptance in Latin America. On the contrary, this will likely fuel protests against the United States and increase its global isolation. Trump will not make America great again—he will isolate it again.
Trump came to power promising to resolve domestic crises, not to involve the US in unnecessary external conflicts. American taxpayers have paid a heavy price as national resources are spent abroad in the name of protecting “American interests,” which essentially means corporate interests upheld by the two corporatised political parties. Internationally, except for Europe, Americans are increasingly unwelcome. China, Russia, India, and Turkey will fill the vacuum and become more relevant to the Global South. One thing is certain: the Global South will begin organising itself into formal alliances. This will also lead to more military alliances and, inevitably, more attempts to acquire nuclear technology.
Nuclear Weapons as the Only Shield Against Regime Change
When the United States bombed Iran, many felt that had Iran possessed nuclear power like North Korea, the Americans would have thought twice.
This brings us to the question of nuclear deterrence. Are countries safer with nuclear weapons? The answer increasingly appears to be yes. Anti-nuclear campaigns never demanded that the big five dismantle their arsenals; instead, they sought to punish weaker nations for pursuing nuclear capabilities. If the US or any other power can fly into another country, capture its head of state, and try him in their courts, then every nation will aspire to possess nuclear missiles.
History offers a stark reminder. You condemned Stalin, Khrushchev, and others. You celebrated the fall of the Soviet Union. But as long as the Soviet Union existed, America thought twice before engaging in direct conflict. A Stalin or Khrushchev would have taken the conflict to America’s backyard, as seen during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, which ultimately forced the US to stay away from Cuba, despite repeated CIA attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro. Though the Soviet Union no longer exists and Russia is preoccupied with Ukraine, Trump has created a crisis for the United States. His actions have united much of South America against growing American hegemonic ambitions.
Two developments puzzle observers. First, the Chinese delegation’s meeting with President Nicolás shortly before his capture by American elite forces. Second, whether Russia—or Vladimir Putin—had prior knowledge of the operation. Powerful nations often know events in advance. Russia’s muted response to Iran, limited to foreign ministry statements, has not inspired confidence. This raises the question: have Trump and Putin struck a tacit deal—allowing Russia territorial gains in Ukraine while the US tightens control over South America? Though this seems unlikely, especially given attempts to target President Putin, the speculation persists.
Venezuela and the Birth of a New Global South Resistance
This brings us to the core question: what happens after such a blatant violation of international law? Will the International Court of Justice issue an arrest warrant against Donald Trump? Will American-style regime change become the global norm? Can Russia replicate this in Ukraine or Europe? Can China do so in Taiwan? Could India attempt such an adventure in its neighbourhood?
These are not easy questions. But we are undeniably inching toward a global crisis. Stronger international mechanisms are urgently required to resolve conflicts. You cannot claim to be a peacemaker while bullying those who disagree with you. Venezuela will be a test case. People are on the streets protesting this misuse of power. The coming days will be crucial in shaping a new world order. Let us hope people’s power prevails and national sovereignty is not reduced to a subsidiary of powerful neighbours. The world must rethink and reform the United Nations to restore justice, peace, and stability—otherwise, uncertainty will only pave the way for violence and war, which must be avoided at all costs.
