The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela, including the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and the announcement that the US will occupy the country, are likely to have far-reaching consequences for both the Venezuelan people and American interests.
According to Dr. Robert Pape, a leading expert on international security affairs and political violence at the University of Chicago, this situation is extremely dangerous for Chicago as it normalizes the use of force and violence in pursuit of power. This precedent sets a concerning tone for Trump's approach to domestic politics, where he has already used force against liberal cities like Chicago.
In Venezuela, the occupation will not lead to the desired outcome of gaining control over the country's oil assets, which Pape believes is the primary motivation behind this move. The reality is that the US will never fully control the oil in Venezuela, and this strategy is driven by a delusion of grandeur.
Moreover, the occupation of Venezuela creates an environment conducive to guerrilla warfare, with the mountains of Afghanistan and jungles of Vietnam providing fertile ground for small groups to launch attacks against civilian contractors working in these fields. This puts US companies, including those involved in oil production, at significant risk.
The experts' concerns raise serious questions about Trump's approach to governance and his willingness to use force to achieve his goals. With no obvious short-term path forward, this situation could lead the US down a dark road of instability and conflict, with potentially devastating consequences for all parties involved.
According to Dr. Robert Pape, a leading expert on international security affairs and political violence at the University of Chicago, this situation is extremely dangerous for Chicago as it normalizes the use of force and violence in pursuit of power. This precedent sets a concerning tone for Trump's approach to domestic politics, where he has already used force against liberal cities like Chicago.
In Venezuela, the occupation will not lead to the desired outcome of gaining control over the country's oil assets, which Pape believes is the primary motivation behind this move. The reality is that the US will never fully control the oil in Venezuela, and this strategy is driven by a delusion of grandeur.
Moreover, the occupation of Venezuela creates an environment conducive to guerrilla warfare, with the mountains of Afghanistan and jungles of Vietnam providing fertile ground for small groups to launch attacks against civilian contractors working in these fields. This puts US companies, including those involved in oil production, at significant risk.
The experts' concerns raise serious questions about Trump's approach to governance and his willingness to use force to achieve his goals. With no obvious short-term path forward, this situation could lead the US down a dark road of instability and conflict, with potentially devastating consequences for all parties involved.