WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The stunning overnight U.S. military operation, involving thousands of troops and more than 150 aircraft, not only has captured Nicolas Maduro heading for a New York court appearance, but has brought a new geopolitical reality to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and perhaps far beyond.
Though planned for months, there was no formal notification given the U.S. Congress of such an extensive and far reaching invasion of another country, involving U.S. troops within Venezuela. President Trump, in confirming the operation, said, “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground … not afraid to say it.”
Maduro arrived on U.S. soil in late Saturday afternoon in a military aircraft prior to being placed in the custody of the Border Patrol and court authorities in New York. He is being treated as a criminal defendant, facing 25 pages of charges, not as a prisoner of war.
Despite President Trump’s declaration that, “We are going to run the country” the Venezuelan dictatorship, without its dictator, quickly recomposed itself with the de factor leader, Vice President Delcy Rodriquez, calling for the release of Maduro.
Earlier President Trump said she was “gracious” in a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in which she offered cooperation. Trump said she “had no choice” to do otherwise. However in her subsequent TV address to her nation that was not the script she was following. A hardline leader in her own right, she controls the Venezuelan security forces and its oil sector. Her brother Jorge heads the National Assembly. The Venezuela Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez is also viewed as a contender to be Maduro’s successor.
How the United States and more specifically the core leadership of the Trump administration plans to “run” Venezuela for the foreseeable future as well has have U.S. oil firms commandeer the country’s oil fields is entirely unknown. President Trump dismissed as unfeasible turning the country over to opposition leader – and Nobel Prize winner – Maria Corina Machado who has declared, “We are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power.” Said Trump, “She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.”
Should there be internal resistance to a U.S. takeover, President Trump said there has already been prepared a “second wave” attack. The first wave, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, extended far beyond the capital city of Caracas, immobilizing Venezuelan military facilities of various sizes throughout the northern part of the country.
The ripple effects of the U.S. operation are washing up on the shores of some of Venezuela’s neighbors and allies, first of all Cuba, for whom Venezuelan oil has been a lifeline. Cuba has also provided personal security for Maduro.
Next would be Mexico, where President Trump has said on Fox News, “Something is gonna have to be done.” He said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is “not running Mexico.” Instead, he said, “The cartels are running Mexico.”
Trump also repeated his criticisms of Colombia President Gustavo Petro, saying, “He’s making cocaine.” So, he added, “He does have to watch his ass.”
More indirectly but significant is the years ahead, is a reshaping of the global oil economy should the U.S. maintain control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. The potential capacity of a combined US-Venezuela oil operation would far outdistance that of Saudi Arabia and all other oil producers.
Within the United States, congressional Democrats are holding an emergency meeting Monday to address the events of the weekend, which they strongly oppose as a violation of international law and the U.N. Charter. Early indications are there will be no organized opposition by Republican lawmakers, in any event effectively sidelined by the White House.
Internationally, the U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday at 10 a.m. ET.
Meanwhile, in Caracas, what has been described as a fearful quiet.