Why Trump removed Maduro from power in Venezuela
The US air strikes on Caracas on 3 January have reignited the debate about Washington's intentions to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. According to an interview published in Vanity Fair at the end of December, this goal was among the key priorities of US President Donald Trump
The Trump administration has previously explained the pressure as a result of the fight against drug trafficking. For several months, the United States has been striking ships believed to be linked to Venezuelan drug cartels, and Trump himself has called fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. At the same time, Washington announced a blockade of tankers with Venezuelan oil
However, experts point out that the focus has shifted directly to Maduro, who has been in power since 2013. Analysts note that at the beginning of Trump's second term, the US considered compromise agreements with Caracas, particularly on migration and limited energy concessions, but now the focus is on regime change
According to experts, Venezuela is an easier destination for the US than wars in Ukraine or the Middle East, and at the same time it is in line with the strategy of restoring American influence in the Western Hemisphere. An additional factor is the role of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is known for his tough stance on Caracas and Havana
Some analysts believe that for Trump, the Maduro issue is not only a foreign policy issue, but also an element of his personal legacy and a way to mobilise the electorate, in particular the Latin American diaspora in Florida
Source and photo: DW
