Why did the United States invade Venezuela? Several reasons have been presented.
- Law enforcement
- We want the oil
- Regime change
- Self defense related to the flow of illegal drugs (fentanyl or cocaine) which are killing Americans
- We want “run” Venezuela
This is what I think:
- If the rationale was protecting law enforcement: Why was Maduro in military custody until it was almost time for court? Why were only Maduro and his wife taken into custody when others in the Maduro government were also indicted?
- If the rationale was regime change why should the US “run” things why keep the Maduro government in power (without Maduro). It would make much more sense to allow the winner for the last election and the opposition to take control.
- Self-defense is the most absurd rationale. At first the US was protecting its people from fentanyl until the administration realized that little or no fentanyl was coming from Venezuela. Then it switched to saving us from cocaine (although from what I read relatively little cocaine was coming from Venezuela). But defending us from cocaine made no sense since President Trump had recently pardoned former President Hernández of Honduras who was convicted of trafficking more than 400 tons cocaine to the US.
I think President Trump invaded Venezuela for the oil and believed he can run things and force what remains of the Maduro government to help him get the oil he wants. It may also be related to distracting from current issues such as the release (or non-release) of the Epstein files or the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.