With the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump has demonstrated more powerfully than ever his belief in the power of his will, backed by raw US military force. On his orders, the US has Maduro behind bars and now will 'run' Venezuela.
The US president made the announcement in a remarkable news conference with enormous implications for US foreign policy worldwide at his Florida club and residence, Mar-a-Lago. Trump said the US would be in charge in Venezuela 'until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said, had spoken to Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, who had told him 'we'll do whatever you need... She, I think, was quite gracious, but she really doesn't have a choice.'
But does he believe that he can govern Venezuela by remote control? The evidence is that it will not be easy or smooth.
The respected think tank, the International Crisis Group, warned in October that the fall of Maduro could lead to violence and instability in Venezuela. The same month, The New York Times reported that defence and diplomatic officials in the first Trump administration had war-gamed what might happen if Maduro fell. Their conclusion was the prospect of violent chaos as armed factions competed for power.
Trump attempted a new nickname, the 'Donroe Doctrine,' for the declaration made by President James Monroe in 1823 warning other powers not to meddle in America's sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere. He stated that, 'the Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we've superseded it by a lot.'
As concerns mount, critics around the world wonder what implications Trump's actions will have on international stability and how authoritarian regimes may interpret this newfound precedent.
The US president made the announcement in a remarkable news conference with enormous implications for US foreign policy worldwide at his Florida club and residence, Mar-a-Lago. Trump said the US would be in charge in Venezuela 'until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he said, had spoken to Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, who had told him 'we'll do whatever you need... She, I think, was quite gracious, but she really doesn't have a choice.'
But does he believe that he can govern Venezuela by remote control? The evidence is that it will not be easy or smooth.
The respected think tank, the International Crisis Group, warned in October that the fall of Maduro could lead to violence and instability in Venezuela. The same month, The New York Times reported that defence and diplomatic officials in the first Trump administration had war-gamed what might happen if Maduro fell. Their conclusion was the prospect of violent chaos as armed factions competed for power.
Trump attempted a new nickname, the 'Donroe Doctrine,' for the declaration made by President James Monroe in 1823 warning other powers not to meddle in America's sphere of influence in the Western hemisphere. He stated that, 'the Monroe Doctrine is a big deal, but we've superseded it by a lot.'
As concerns mount, critics around the world wonder what implications Trump's actions will have on international stability and how authoritarian regimes may interpret this newfound precedent.
