By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed concern to CBS News that Venezuela would “implode” under prolonged U.S. control, specifically referencing comments made by former President Trump. Petro’s statement was a reaction to Trump’s suggestion of extended U.S. oversight over Venezuela’s resources. The Colombian president also highlighted the broader implications of U.S. control, critiquing the notion that the United States has a right over Latin American resources. Despite the tensions, Petro and Trump spoke, which seemingly eased relations, leading to an invitation to the White House.
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The Colombian president’s statement about Venezuela “imploding” further if the U.S. were to run the country for years, echoing a suggestion made by Donald Trump, is quite a loaded one. My first reaction? Didn’t Venezuela kind of already implode? We’re talking about a nation that has seen millions of its citizens flee, finding refuge in countries like Colombia. The sheer scale of that exodus speaks volumes.
The evidence of Venezuela’s struggles is pretty overwhelming. We’re talking about a country grappling with massive inflation – like, mind-boggling, triple-digit, and then some, kind of inflation. There’s widespread famine, severe repression, and reports of kidnapping and torture. Considering all of this, the idea that Venezuela would somehow “implode” further under U.S. influence seems…well, a bit confusing. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where things would be significantly worse than they are right now for the average Venezuelan.
The political alignment of the Colombian President, known as Petro, also adds another layer of complexity. His relationship with Maduro, the current leader of Venezuela, complicates the narrative. This raises the question of whether Petro’s comments are rooted in genuine concern for Venezuela’s future or perhaps a strategic move within the complex game of Latin American politics. Some might even see a projection there, wondering if the Colombian President is perhaps trying to deflect from potential problems in his own country.
Let’s not forget the core of Trump’s potential involvement, and, as many believe, Trump’s interest in the oil. The economic implications are unavoidable, regardless of who is in charge, and it’s difficult to argue that Trump’s track record suggests a strong dedication to long-term nation-building rather than short-term gains. Looking at countries like Iraq and Afghanistan after American involvement, one could be forgiven for feeling a little skeptical about the potential for positive change.
The practicalities of a U.S.-led operation in Venezuela also raise some serious questions. Who would be on the ground? Would Venezuelans accept foreign rule, even if it was intended to bring stability? Could the heavily armed factions currently in control be successfully disarmed? It’s a messy situation with no easy answers. The current situation in Venezuela is a cautionary tale of how things can go wrong under poor leadership. The country went from prosperity to ruin in a relatively short period, and it is a point of concern for other Latin American countries.
Many people are drawing parallels between Trump’s handling of the U.S. and what could happen in Venezuela. The argument goes that if the U.S. is already struggling under his leadership, it’s hard to imagine him successfully managing another country. The potential for the US to run another country is almost absurd, and most people can not imagine the U.S. doing a good job running its own country. These comments are not rooted in any reality or truth.
Ultimately, the conversation boils down to this: Venezuela is already in a dire state. The idea of further “implosion” is hard to fathom. The success of the U.S. in managing another country seems questionable. And the motivations behind any potential involvement are undoubtedly complex. It is easy to say that Venezuela imploded under its own tyranny. And many seem to think, that it would not get much worse under U.S. rule. But, even if it is not possible to run Venezuela much worse, the U.S. should still stay out of running another country.