The article opens with an insightful video report from Caracas, explaining local reactions to escalating U.S. military actions. The United States has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying warships, surveillance planes, and an attack submarine. This comes amidst claims from the U.S. military of attacking Venezuelan boats involved in alleged drug smuggling, resulting in 17 fatalities. The Trump administration has publicly labeled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a “cartel leader” and a “fugitive of American justice,” leading some officials to believe the unspoken objective is to oust him from power – in essence, to achieve regime change.
This aggressive posture seems to contradict President Trump’s past campaign promises to steer clear of foreign conflicts. However, insights from reporter Julie Turkewitz, who recently spent a week in Venezuela, suggest that Trump might categorize intervention in Venezuela differently. The core question defining Maduro’s future revolves around whether the Trump administration views this as a “foreign war” to be avoided, or a necessary operation to safeguard American interests right in its own backyard.
“You turn Venezuela into Haiti”
While many Venezuelans, appalled by Maduro’s alleged human rights abuses and his grip on power despite losing the 2024 election, might welcome his removal, a significant number harbor deep skepticism about U.S. military intervention. Given the long and often problematic history of U.S. involvement in Latin American politics, the notion of American-imposed change is met with strong resistance.
Local diplomats and business leaders have voiced concerns that military action could plunge the nation into chaos. If Maduro’s government were to fall, a power vacuum could trigger a violent struggle among various armed groups in the region, including the military, Colombian guerrilla factions, and paramilitary gangs, all vying for control over Venezuela’s rich oil, gold, and other mineral resources. As one businessman starkly put it, “You kill Maduro, you turn Venezuela into Haiti.”
The specter of “regime change” evokes painful memories of protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, resonating with alarm both within and outside the U.S. Venezuelan officials appear to be leveraging this sentiment, with the country’s vice president explicitly stating that the American public does not desire “war in the Caribbean.”
Sphere of Influence?
Despite his “America First” rhetoric, President Trump’s foreign policy has shown a strong inclination towards interventions in what he perceives as America’s “own hemisphere.” His campaign rhetoric, which emphasized deporting undocumented immigrants and combating drug smuggling, resonated with some Hispanic voters who oppose socialist governments like those in Venezuela and Cuba.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been a vocal proponent of regime change in Venezuela, asserting that a “cartel masquerading as a government” will not be tolerated in the Western Hemisphere. This focus on America’s immediate region suggests a strategic distinction from conflicts further afield like Ukraine or Iraq. Administration officials might consider Venezuela’s proximity and perceived impact on U.S. domestic issues as grounds for direct engagement.
The naval deployment off Venezuela’s coast is part of a broader interventionist approach in Latin America by the Trump administration. This has included threats against the Panama Canal, proposals to bomb Mexican drug labs, and active involvement in Brazilian politics in favor of former President Jair Bolsonaro. More recently, a $20 billion loan was extended to support Argentinian President Javier Milei’s political standing.
Such actions appear to be driven by ideological alignment, where Trump identifies allies in leaders like Bolsonaro and Milei, and an adversary in Maduro. This aggressive regional focus could soon become official U.S. defense doctrine, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly drafting a national defense strategy that prioritizes the “homeland and the Western Hemisphere.”
MORE TOP NEWS
A pivotal vote in Moldova: Moldova’s pro-European party is on the verge of a parliamentary election victory, a contest framed as a crucial showdown between Europe and Russia. This election is highly significant due to Moldova’s strategic location between Romania and Ukraine, especially amidst the ongoing war. Despite alleged Russian interference, including voter bribery, disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks on electoral systems, and hoax bomb threats, the projected win could propel the country closer to European Union membership.
Trump’s campaign of retribution
The Trump administration has intensified its legal actions against perceived political adversaries, a campaign highlighted by the indictment of former F.B.I. director James Comey. This move follows Comey’s leadership of the bureau’s investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign and its potential ties to Russia.
ASK A CORRESPONDENT
Readers are invited to submit questions for veteran journalist Peter Baker, who has covered U.S. presidents since Bill Clinton, on his experiences covering Trump and the evolving role of America in the world.
OTHER NEWS
- Russia launched a massive assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with nearly 600 drones and dozens of missiles, killing at least four people.
- Iran is preparing for severe economic repercussions as the U.N. reimposed stringent sanctions due to its nuclear program.
- President Trump is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders to avert a looming U.S. government shutdown.
- U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, is expected to travel to Cairo for talks on the Gaza conflict.
- A stampede at a political rally in southern India resulted in the deaths of at least 38 people.
SPORTS
- Golf: Europe narrowly defeated the U.S. 15-13 to win the Ryder Cup.
- Rugby: England secured the women’s World Cup title by beating Canada 33-13.
SENTENCE OF THE DAY
“For years, I have brushed my teeth with a little too much gusto — as if I were scrubbing barnacles off a ship’s hull.”
— Jancee Dunn, from the Well newsletter, on her journey to improve gum health.
MORNING READ
Kyiv’s Fashion Week has made a comeback, yet its designs are profoundly influenced by the war. Some collections featured models with missing limbs, aiming to create adaptive clothing with innovative fastenings like zippers and Velcro, reflecting the reality of many injured soldiers and civilians in Ukraine. A former soldier turned model, Dmytro Tereshchenko, noted that this sends “a big message.”
AROUND THE WORLD
What they’re chanting in … Turkey
By Safak Timur, reporter based in Istanbul.
Turkish girl group Manifest, known for their catchy pop songs, saw their single “Ariyo” gain unexpected political resonance. Its chorus quickly became an anti-government protest chant: “Hak! Hukuk! Adalet!” (“Rights! Law! Justice!”). This led to audiences at their concerts chanting the slogan in solidarity with recent mass demonstrations against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
The group faced government backlash, including an investigation for public indecency, criticism from an Erdogan adviser, travel bans for its members, and blocked access to some concert videos. Despite canceling their countrywide tour under pressure, Manifest remains undeterred and is preparing to release new music.
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RECIPE
Onigiri, a Japanese convenience store staple, are portable rice snacks typically filled with savory ingredients and wrapped in seaweed. When grilled, they become yaki onigiri. This particular recipe features a delicious pickled shiitake filling.
WHERE IS THIS?
A Times journalist spent three months capturing an Eastern European capital, including this sauna worthy of a Wes Anderson movie.
Where is this?
- Bucharest
- Ljubljana
- Budapest
- Tirana
*(The answer to the quiz is Budapest)*
TIME TO PLAY
Engage with today’s Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Sudoku. All games are available on our platform.
You’re done for today. See you tomorrow! — Katrin
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