American think tank: Attack on Caracas isolates the United States.
In recent weeks, relations between the United States and Venezuela have reached a new high. After the US military targeted several civilian boats in the Caribbean Sea, Washington is now talking about the possibility of expanding military operations on Venezuelan soil, a move that could plunge the region into a new crisis. The Trump administration calls these moves part of the “war on drug cartels,” but many observers in Latin America see them as a pretext for intervention and political pressure on Caracas. In contrast, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called the attacks a clear example of aggression and a violation of national sovereignty and has called for regional unity against external threats. The wave of condemnation from Colombia, Brazil, and other South American countries also shows that the public view of the region is more skeptical than ever of Washington’s aggressive policies.
The American Stimson Index, in a report titled “The Strategic Costs of an Attack on Venezuela,” discusses the Trump administration’s attack on civilian boats in the Caribbean, which has sparked international condemnation, and is now considering attacks on Venezuelan soil; the aggressive policy has been deemed futile and costly, and Latin American leaders have called it a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. This article will be published in two parts. The first part of the article states:
The Trump administration’s decision to attack civilian boats in the Caribbean has sparked a wave of condemnation from countries in the region. The administration is now considering broader measures, including airstrikes on Venezuelan soil or even a full-scale regime change effort. American aggression in the Caribbean is not only counterproductive but also risks isolating the United States. Recent U.S. attacks on four ships in the Caribbean have led domestic groups and foreign governments to accuse Washington of illegal and belligerent behavior. There is now talk of escalating military action, with reports suggesting that the Trump administration is considering strikes on Venezuelan soil or even a war to overthrow the government of Nicolás Maduro. Any of the three courses of action—continuing attacks on civilian ships, expanding targeted attacks in Venezuela, or attempting regime change—would leave the United States in a worse position. The Trump administration’s approach is strategically misguided and, without any clear benefit, risks further destabilizing the region and increasing hostility toward the United States.