The United States has asserted its influence in the Western Hemisphere with the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, citing a renewed commitment to the Monroe Doctrine. The doctrine, originally introduced in the 19th century to counter European influence in the region, has been invoked by President Donald Trump as a justification for the military action against Venezuela.
US forces invaded Venezuela on Saturday, capturing President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were later indicted on drug-trafficking charges. Both pleaded not guilty in a New York court on Monday. The Venezuelan government has denounced the raid as an “imperialist attack,” while the US State Department has declared its intention to exert greater power across the region.
President Trump stated that the military action marks the return and expansion of the Monroe Doctrine, aiming to prevent adversaries and rivals from using the Western Hemisphere as a base of operations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the US will not allow the region to be used by competitors and rivals.
The US has also expressed interest in gaining access to Venezuela’s oil industry, which was nationalized by Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez. President Trump announced plans to “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” without providing further details.
Venezuelan officials have condemned the US actions, with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil describing the drug charges as a pretext for “a colonial war” aimed at exploiting the country’s resources. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, now acting president, has demanded Maduro’s release and vowed to safeguard Venezuela’s sovereignty.
The international community has also responded, with Russia condemning the operation as “international banditry” that threatens to push the world toward chaos and lawlessness. The incident has significant implications for regional stability and global relations, as the US seeks to reassert its influence in the Western Hemisphere.
