The US invasion of Venezuela

Recently, the United States invaded Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both of them were flown to the US to face criminal charges. The invasion stems from President Donald Trump’s sustained attention on Venezuela as a country of particular concern because of Maduro’s alleged involvement in hard drugs and other illicit substances. The development has attracted divergent reactions. While some commentators believe that Donald Trump has violated Venezuelan sovereignty, others argue that Maduro’s subversion of democracy is not helpful too. Apart from allegations of involvement in drug peddling, Maduro is said to be undemocratic and repressive. Besides, there are also allegations of political killings, torture, sexual violence and arbitrary detention of his political opponents. He was also accused of manipulating the 2024 presidential elections in his favour.

In spite of Maduro’s misdeeds, the US invasion of Venezuela is condemnable. It can never be justified. The invasion demonstrates that might is right. Trump’s action is antithetical to democratic ideals. This can explain why the invasion has been condemned by world leaders, the United Nations and other bodies. The invasion violates the United Nations Charter, specifically 2(4), which prohibits the use of force against another State’s territorial integrity and political independence, except in self-defence or if authorized by the Security Council.

Also, the US experience has shown that invading a country and removing the president does not achieve much, no matter how corrupt the government of that country may be. The US attempt for regime change in Afghanistan did not end well. That effort cost so much in material and human resources. Yet, today, Afghanistan remains desolate and in the firm grip of a government not completely agreeable with the US policies.

In the same vein, the US invaded Libya, deposing Muammar Gaddafi in search of a credible state. But today, the country is far from being a credible state with dictators controlling its affairs. In 2003, the US conquest of Iraq and its aftermath did not steer the politics of that country in the right direction. The same American approach of deposing governments in Latin American countries like Chile, Cuba, Guatemala and Nicaragua has not produced any positive political or economic legacy. All of these historical accounts question Trump’s invasion of Venezuela and what he intends to achieve.

The Constitution of the United States is clear on the procedure to take if the US wants to invade another country for specific reasons. According to the US Constitution, the president must present his case to Congress and seek approval. If the Congress does not approve of the invasion, then it is illegal and violates US laws. In the Venezuelan case, Trump did not consult Congress, and therefore, there was no legislative approval before the invasion. Thus, Trump’s action in Venezuela is illegal and violates the US Constitution. There is no good way to do a bad thing, and there should be no bad way to do a good thing. Trump’s reason for invading Venezuela is to destroy “narco-terrorists.” 

The sale and distribution of narcotics constitute a major danger to global humanitarian order, but in this case, Venezuela is not a producer of fentanyl or other illicit drugs that have destroyed the lives of millions of people across the world and in the US in particular. Although some quantity of cocaine has been traced to Venezuela, they are shipped and marketed in Europe and other South American countries. Venezuela is a transit country for illicit drugs. But, that does not make the country less complicit in drug involvement.

Trump’s invasion of Venezuela has affirmed the US identity as a world police because no country has vehemently challenged the invasion. The world has only seen mild condemnations without any serious diplomatic implications. Although the Russian and Chinese governments have condemned the invasion, the statements are veiled and diluted. Trump’s invasion of Venezuela parallels the Russian invasion of Ukraine with vast Chinese economic support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has argued that if Trump can invade and depose Nicolas Maduro, why can’t he do the same to Vladimir Putin of Russia, seeing that the Russian leader is committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron has praised Trump for his actions in Venezuela because of Nicolas Maduro’s reprehensible and oppressive rule. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Union Foreign Policy chief have quoted international laws against the invasion without explicitly condemning Trump’s actions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also expressed concerns about the Venezuelan invasion and stressed the need for a peaceful transition leading to the enthronement of an elected government. All the developments and reactions point to one thing – that Trump’s invasion of Venezuela is illegal and violates both US and UN laws. We condemn the invasion of Venezuela by the US. Trump’s action is a threat to democracy and world peace. If it can happen in Venezuela, it can happen elsewhere.