By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Despite campaigning on an “America First” platform that rejected foreign intervention, Donald Trump has announced the United States will run Venezuela indefinitely. This decision marks a complete reversal of his prior stance against global policing, with the US potentially deploying troops and allowing American oil companies to profit from Venezuelan resources. Trump provided little detail about the operation’s legality or the long-term plan, aside from stating that American courts would be the proper forum for accountability. This abrupt shift in policy has alarmed global leaders, as it undermines international law and signals unpredictable US foreign policy, potentially leading to significant backlash and consequences for the US.
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The whole situation with Venezuela really seems to highlight a glaring contradiction, doesn’t it? Trump, remember, specifically promised MAGA that the US wouldn’t be policing the world, that we’d stop meddling in other countries’ affairs. But here we are, seemingly trying to run Venezuela, or at least, making moves that sure look like we’re trying. The problem is, it’s not actually “running” the country in any functional way. There’s no military occupation, no puppet government installed. It’s more like a chaotic, confusing attempt at… well, something. The whole thing reeks of “fake it till you make it,” a strategy seemingly fueled by wishful thinking and a hefty dose of ego.
It’s a bizarre dance. Maduro’s still in charge, the person Trump allegedly appointed isn’t, and the whole situation feels less like a strategic power grab and more like a poorly executed power play. The real question is, how does this square with the “America First” mantra? How does this sit with the promise of less foreign intervention? Apparently, for a lot of people, it’s perfectly fine. Some seem to be celebrating, even though the actual outcome is murky and the potential consequences are significant. The potential for a real conflict, a civil war even, is far from desirable. The idea that this is just about some oil deal that benefits only the elites, both American and Venezuelan, is a bitter pill to swallow for anyone concerned about the long-term well-being of the Venezuelan people.
And the hypocrisy just keeps piling up. The very people who cheered about avoiding foreign entanglements seem totally fine with meddling in Venezuela. Laws be damned, international norms tossed aside. It’s almost as if some people don’t care about anything besides perceived self-interest, or the perceived enemy. The fact that the US isn’t “policing” the world isn’t really the issue. The real issue is that the US is allegedly trying to take Venezuela’s oil. It’s behaving like a gangster. It’s theft, plain and simple, dressed up in political jargon.
The most disturbing part is the complete disregard for the rule of law and international norms. The focus is on some perceived personal slight. This whole situation is for Trump’s own ego. The welfare of Venezuelans doesn’t seem to factor into the equation at all. The fact that many of his supporters seem okay with this is honestly baffling. The same promises broken before, again. From the financial burden of tariffs to, economic promises. There’s a clear lack of consistent principle here. It’s a blatant contradiction, a betrayal of the very principles Trump claimed to stand for. This isn’t about America First anymore; it’s about a warped version of ego and greed.
The reality, of course, is that there are no easy answers. The situation is complex, and the potential for a larger conflict is real. It’s a sad state of affairs when international norms are so easily discarded for the sake of political expediency. And, quite frankly, it raises serious questions about the direction the country is headed. This sets a terrible precedent: the US can seemingly take over any country it wants, sovereign borders don’t matter. And the question then becomes, what’s next?
The whole affair is a stark reminder of the dangers of blind faith and the ease with which promises can be broken. Trump’s supporters have to ask themselves: are they really okay with this? Are they really okay with the possibility of war, the disregard for international law, and the potential for innocent lives to be lost for the sake of oil and personal ambition?
It’s the ultimate test of loyalty versus principle. Are they okay with this, because they think it’ll make America great again, again? Or because they believe in the very principles that are seemingly being trampled underfoot? The answer, unfortunately, seems to be the former. It’s a sad day when lying and abuse is seen as a badge of honor.