In the dead of night, American Special Forces carried out a covert operation to extract the Venezuelan leader and his spouse from their beds via helicopters.
While some may question the legality of such actions, it is generally unacceptable to enter foreign territories to apprehend political figures for trial in domestic courts, as it raises concerns about the boundaries of international intervention.
Contrary to popular belief, the motive behind this operation appears to be more about securing oil reserves rather than combating drug trafficking. Despite Venezuela not being a top contributor to illegal drug trade, it possesses vast oil resources that have attracted attention.
Recent pardons issued by Trump, like that of the former President of Honduras convicted for drug offenses, raise questions about the consistency of U.S. policies regarding drug-related crimes in the region.
Acknowledging their intentions openly, Trump and his allies have emphasized the goal of reclaiming what they perceive as unlawfully obtained oil wealth from Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest oil reserves totaling 303 billion barrels.
The exploitation of Venezuelan oil reserves is positioned as a lucrative opportunity for both American interests and the Venezuelan economy, echoing historical narratives of resource-driven conflicts.
The principles of international law, established in the aftermath of World War II to prevent unilateral power assertions, dictate that the sovereignty of nations, regardless of size, should be respected.
Trump’s assertion of Venezuela being within his “sphere of influence” raises concerns about the precedent this sets, potentially encouraging other major powers like China and Russia to assert similar claims over territories under their perceived influence.
While power dynamics and strategic interests may tempt larger nations to overstep boundaries, the global community must uphold the principles of international law to prevent destabilizing actions and promote peaceful coexistence.