Thu Dec 18 02:10:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
The article argues that President Trump’s aggressive stance toward Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro risks repeating past U.S. foreign policy failures. It highlights increasing U.S. military presence and covert operations in Venezuela, including direct threats to Maduro. The author warns that forceful regime change could destabilize Venezuela, leading to chaos in the region and directly impacting the U.S. The article draws parallels to U.S. interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, emphasizing the high costs and unintended consequences of regime change operations. It suggests that despite Maduro’s unpopularity and Venezuela’s military weakness, intervention could lead to a prolonged conflict with significant blowback for the U.S., undermining Trump’s promise to end “forever wars.”
News Article:
Trump’s Venezuela Stance Echoes Middle East Misadventures, Risks Regional Chaos
Washington, D.C. – As Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro commemorates the Battle of Santa Inés in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 10, 2025, President Trump’s escalating actions against his regime are raising concerns about a potential U.S. intervention. Experts warn that Trump’s approach risks repeating past mistakes, especially those made in the Middle East, where the U.S. has a poor track record of successful regime change.
The Trump Administration has significantly increased pressure on Maduro, with a buildup of military forces in the Caribbean, strikes on alleged drug boats, and confirmed covert CIA operations. Trump reportedly issued an ultimatum to Maduro to leave Venezuela, declared a drug cartel linked to Maduro a terrorist group, closed Venezuelan airspace, and even alluded to potential airstrikes.
Critics argue that forceful regime change could destabilize Venezuela, leading to chaos and a potential humanitarian crisis. They point to the costly and protracted U.S. interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya as cautionary tales. While these interventions initially achieved regime change, they led to prolonged conflicts, instability, and significant financial and human costs.
Despite Maduro’s unpopularity and Venezuela’s military weakness, experts caution that intervention could lead to a drawn-out conflict with unforeseen consequences for the U.S., potentially worsening issues like migration and drug trafficking, which Trump has pledged to tackle.
Many fear Trump’s actions could contradict his promise to end “forever wars” and put “America First.” Military intervention in Venezuela could break that promise and potentially entangle the U.S. in a new and costly conflict.
First Piper 