US Reasserts Dominance in Latin America with Military Operation in Venezuela, Global Reactions Mixed
In a shocking turn of events, US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last Saturday, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy towards the Western Hemisphere. The move has been met with mixed reactions globally, underscoring its complex geopolitical implications.
A Return to the Monroe Doctrine
This intervention marks a return of the US as a regional police power, or as the American Brazilianist Brian Winter described it, the first chapter of Washington's return as a regional police power
(Folha de S.Paulo). This comes with a revival of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, aimed at preventing European powers from exerting influence in the region. However, this time, President Donald Trump has modified the doctrine, now dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine” (La Repubblica), to reassert US dominance in the face of perceived threats from China and Russia (The Diplomat).
Global Reaction to US Intervention
The operation has sparked debate and concern worldwide. While some countries have expressed their disapproval, Southeast Asia has shown varying degrees of concern (The Diplomat). Meanwhile, America’s Asian allies have largely refrained from condemning the US action, possibly to avoid upsetting their key ally (South China Morning Post).
In Europe, the reactions are divided. Some Balkan states, including Albania and Kosovo, have applauded the operation (Balkan Insight), while others like France have condemned it as a violation of international law (Le Monde). Similarly, the operation has received both praise and condemnation in the US (Fox News).
China and Russia, key allies of Maduro, are concerned about their interests in Venezuela (The Guardian). China's influence in the region may be significantly strained in light of the US's reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine (South China Morning Post).
The Aftermath and Trump's Warning
Following the capture of Maduro and his wife, Trump warned Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, to cooperate with the US or face more military action (Deutsche Welle). This warning has been perceived as a clear message to other nations in Latin America (Sky News World).
The intervention has also left China's investors in Latin America preparing for a period of increased uncertainty (South China Morning Post). On the other hand, restoring Venezuela's oil flow, a key objective of the Trump administration, isn't expected to be easy or cheap (Clarin).
A New Era in Latin America
The US intervention in Venezuela marks a significant shift in the power dynamics of the Western Hemisphere. Trump's bold move, whether seen as a just act or an imperialist attack, has undeniably reshaped Latin America's geopolitical landscape. While the immediate consequences are clear, the long-term impact of the US's reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine remains uncertain.