In a dramatic escalation of unilateral American power, former President Donald Trump has orchestrated the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, signalling a new, aggressive foreign policy doctrine where international law holds no sway. The move, described by Trump himself as a 'brazen daredevil act,' involved US special forces seizing Maduro and his wife, bringing them to New York in handcuffs to face charges as a narco-terrorist.
The 'Trump Corollary' and Unchecked Power
Four days after the operation, in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, Trump declared that nothing but his 'own morality and mind' could stop him from using America's military might globally. 'I don't need international law,' he stated, trumpeting what he called a new 'Trump corollary' to the historic 1823 Monroe Doctrine. This updated doctrine brooks no interference, not just from Europe, but asserts a right for the US to act as it sees fit in its backyard and beyond.
Justifying the capture, Trump told Fox News that Maduro 'killed a lot of people' and sent criminals to the US. He revealed plans to appoint a governor, critics call it a viceroy, to run Venezuela and manage the extraction of its vast oil reserves for years. He insisted the interim government run by Maduro loyalists was cooperating fully.
Regional Dominoes and Global Ambitions
Emboldened by the virtual takeover of Venezuela, Trump turned his gaze to neighbouring Colombia, threatening a similar fate if drug flows continued. However, after a placatory call watched by Times reporters, Colombian President Gustavo Petro received a reprieve and an invitation to the White House. On Truth Social, Trump warned, 'cocaine and other drugs must be STOPPED.'
His ambitions stretched further. He told the Times he wouldn't be happy with anything short of 'ownership' of Greenland, told Europe to 'shape up,' and declared NATO useless without the US. When asked if his actions set a precedent for Ukraine or Taiwan, he shrugged, claiming Chinese President Xi Jinping wouldn't dare attack Taiwan while he was president.
Domestic Pushback and Historical Revisionism
At home, Trump faced limited resistance. He expressed wrath against five Republican senators who joined Democrats in a symbolic resolution to limit his military power in Venezuela, demanding they 'never be elected again.' Simultaneously, his administration engaged in stark historical revisionism, marking the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots as a 'Day of Love.' A new White House website section described over 1,500 convicted individuals as 'peaceful patriotic protesters,' blaming Capitol police and Democrats for the 'real insurrection' of certifying the election.
Amid legal challenges, Trump celebrated economic gains tied to his tariff policies with a 'THANK YOU, MR. TARIFF!' meme. He urged the Supreme Court to allow the country's 'unprecedented march,' as the court deferred a ruling on whether he overstepped by using emergency laws for tariffs—a move that could impose staggering 500% duties on imports from nations like India.
The episode's tone was captured in a White House message following Maduro's capture: a black-and-white photo of a stern Trump with the text, 'No games. FAFO'—an acronym for 'fool around and find out.' Billionaire Elon Musk echoed the sentiment online, signalling to the world the emergence of a more confrontational and unilateral American superpower under Trump's envisioned leadership.
