The recent military deployment from America in the Caribbean is seen as a serious threat to Venezuela. Does America want regime change in Venezuela, or do they just want to keep Venezuela under their thumb? In today’s discussion, we’ll be discussing the reasons behind such acts from America. We’ll try to find the major objectives of the Trump administration and what they want from this region.
US Military Recent Deployment
For the last few months, the American military has been focusing on the Caribbean water, and a huge buildup has been observed from the US military in this specific region. Notably, the presence of the US Navy has increased significantly, with nearly 150,000 troops deployed in the Caribbean waters. This includes naval vessels, bombers, warships, and marine units. These troops are advised to prepare for the possible war.
The American Secretary of War has given an aggressive statement threatening a possible attack on Venezuela through water, air, and ground. Previously, the American Navy had struck near the Venezuelan coast, resulting in almost 85 casualties. This strike from the US Navy was strongly condemned throughout the world. This act from America is considered a War Crime. America claimed that all the dead were narco terrorists, while the human rights organizations in the world still consider this act a suspicious one.
US Claim Over The Scenario
America has claimed these operations are against the drug trafficking activities being observed in the region. Donald Trump has stated that Venezuela is a prime source of shelter for drug traffickers. The US claimed Venezuelan President Maduro is leading and sponsoring narco terrorists in this region. Donald Trump has warned the world to avoid flights via Venezuelan airspace, considering it a banned territory. He further warned the world to stop trade with Venezuela through sea, air, or land.
Venezuelan Government’s Present Policy
Nicolás Maduro is ruling the Venezuelan Government presently, who came into power after Hugo Chávez. Nicolas Maduro’s party is the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, and this party has been leading Venezuela since 1991. This party is a left-wing socialist party with very strong relations with China and Russia. This party is also in good standing with Iran, but history reveals that they don’t have good ties with America. America has a vast history of supporting regime change operations in Venezuela because there were governments that had socialist and communist views, with strong relations with the Soviet Union.
Reasons For Present US Aggression
- Venezuela is rich in oil reserves. Being rich in natural resources, Venezulan government is showing great tilt towards China, Iran, and Russia. We know all of these countries are America’s enemies. So, any sort of trade between these countries is a direct threat to the US government. So, one of the major reasons that seems likely for the US’s present aggressive move towards Venezuela is definitely Venezuela’s tilt toward China.
- Secondly, drug trafficking is also one of the major issues that is being faced by the United States of America. Trump further claimed Venezuela smuggled Cocaine and fentanyl into America in illegal ways. These smugglers try to enter America through illegal ways and apply for asylum. So, it becomes necessary to fight against these life-threatening drug smugglers.
- Trump always talks about building the wall against Mexico. As America shares a southern border with Mexico, most of the South American countries use Mexico to enter America illegally. So, these southern countries, like Venezuela, provide the route for people to reach Mexico, which further leads to illegal entry into America. America considered such illegal entries a source of terrorism in America. So, these sources must be crushed while the Venezuelan President denies his links with such illegal activities.
- One other reason for America’s present act is America’s domestic politics. President Trump wants to show himself as powerful, and defense secretary of America also wants to upgrade his credentials. They want to show their public that they have a strong military and they can take any possible military actions anywhere for the sake of America. So, it is also a political move to show loyalty to their people or how concerned the government is for their people.
Historical Perspective of Drug Trafficking In America
History tells us that America started strong actions against drug cartels in the 1980s. Before that, America was focused on the Soviet Union and the Afghan war. After weakening the Soviet Union, America shifted its focus to drug networks that originated from Colombia. Pablo Escobar is one of the greatest names of Colombian drug lords of that time. They were smuggling Cocaine and Heroin in America at that time. America took a strong action against these drug lords, and this action was claimed to be one of the finest actions with no future footprints. We see that this process, instead of stopping, has sped up greatly.
Source of Drug Trafficking in America
Most of the illegal drugs in America are from Mexico, Cuba, and Venezuela. The least number of drugs is being smuggled into America from Venezuela. According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency report, most of the drug is supplied into America through the Pacific, and the least number of drugs are smuggled through the Caribbean waters, but presently Trump is putting strong focus on Carribean waters than the original strong route of drugs in America. This also shows that America is only able to strike in this specific region, which is why they are showing great power in the Caribbean waters. Most of the analysts consider Oil to be the main reason behind America’s present aggression.
Trump’s Policy Towards The South American Regions
Trump, after taking charge, claimed that they would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and he did too. According to Trump, the movement of Chinese vessels in Caribbean waters or the Panama Canal is intolerable. He wants to regain America’s control over this region. So, this all shows that America wants to show assertiveness with military power over the South American region. This is a way to slowly progress towards other regions of the world. America doesn’t leave China easily in the South China Sea.
China has now started agressive policy against America. They have partnered with Russia and flown bomber jets near Alaska. Russia has given a strong setback to America in Europe. They are also on the front line with America via trade wars in different regions of the world. So, the presence of Chinese vessels in the South American region is never acceptable for America, as America takes the South American region forgranted. One thing that is of great importance is that America is taking military actions after the Cold War. Previously, we have seen that America has dominated by soft coups or military sanctions, but now we are witnessing aggressive military actions where America is using its ships, jets, and weapons aggressively.
America has captured a few Venezuelan ships containing oil, and after capturing them, America has claimed this oil to be of the US. So, this also suggests America’s main target is Venezuela’s oil reserves, and after regime change, America wanted to bring its own controlled government to Venezuela. So, now we have to see how Venezuela’s allies like China, Russia, and others help them in the present conflict. Although China never helped any ally militarily, it rather focuses on strengtheing their allies through diplomatic support.
America is interested in regime change because presently, Nicolás Maduro is not enjoying good popularity, and this is the chance for America to step in and impose a controlled government over the region.
Please let us know in the comments section about your views regarding America’s present military move. In case you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us via the Contact Us page.