Key Takeaways:

• President Trump ordered the bombing of Venezuela, captured its leader, and seized oil reserves.
• There is no clear legal basis under international law for this action.
• Trump twisted the Monroe Doctrine into his own “Donroe Doctrine” to justify aggression.
• Occupying Venezuela could lead to a long, costly military and political quagmire.
• History shows U.S. invasions often end in disaster when “you break it, you own it.”

On January 3, President Trump stunned the world by announcing that the United States had bombed Venezuela, “captured” President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and taken control of that country’s vast oil reserves. He called it a victory, but he offered no clear plan for what comes next. In fact, no one knows how to rebuild or govern Venezuela after such an invasion. Historical examples suggest Americans will face a costly mess.

The Legal Problems Behind the Venezuela Invasion

First, the Venezuela invasion lacks any legal justification. Self-defense requires an attack or an imminent threat, and Venezuela never attacked the United States. Second, calling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” does not make his country a national security threat that justifies bombing and kidnapping. Third, Trump openly spoke about oil more than 20 times. Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves, but reclaiming assets long nationalized by Caracas is not a valid reason for military force. In 1976, Venezuela legally compensated U.S. oil companies. Turning that process upside down is both absurd and dangerous.

Moreover, Trump claimed he had expanded the Monroe Doctrine, but he has actually reversed it. The original Monroe Doctrine warned European powers not to colonize or control new lands in the Americas. It was a defensive policy meant to protect fledgling nations. Trump’s “Donroe Doctrine,” by contrast, uses military action to invade and occupy independent countries.

From Monroe to the “Donroe Doctrine”

In 1823, President James Monroe declared that European powers should stay out of the Americas. He promised the United States would not interfere with existing colonies but would oppose any new attempts at control. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added a warning that the U.S. could act as an “international police power” to maintain order in struggling nations. Both versions focused on defense, not conquest.

By contrast, Trump’s version treats the hemisphere as a chessboard. He has declared that the U.S., China, and Russia each get their own spheres of influence. China gets East Asia, Russia gets Eastern Europe and beyond, and the U.S. gets the western hemisphere—and even Greenland. The Venezuela invasion is the first proof of this new “Donroe Doctrine.” It sends a message: independent nations can be conquered at America’s whim.

The High Cost of Occupation

Before the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, General Colin Powell warned, “If you break it, you own it.” This is often called the Pottery Barn rule. It means that if you use force to topple a government, you must rebuild society, run daily life, and manage all the unintended consequences. Venezuela has 28 million people, a broken economy, and deep political divisions. Running that country indefinitely will require troops, aid dollars, and endless diplomacy.

Trump said Vice President Delcy Rodríguez will serve as Venezuela’s next leader “for as long as she does our bidding.” But she already faces U.S. and EU sanctions for corruption. Meanwhile, popular opposition figure María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, remains banned in Venezuela. Trump rejected her because he claims she lacks support at home. Yet she won a landslide in opposition primaries before being disqualified by Maduro’s government. If the Venezuelan people rise up, the U.S. may feel compelled to send “boots on the ground,” risking a civil war.

Lessons from Past Military Quagmires

History offers grim warnings. In Vietnam, the U.S. once deployed over half a million soldiers, yet failed to secure victory. After the 2011 ouster of Libya’s leader, Muammar Qaddafi, the country fell into chaos and civil war. The 2003 invasion of Iraq over non-existent weapons of mass destruction led to a decade of violence. In Afghanistan, a 20-year war ended with the Taliban back in control. Each case shows that military power cannot easily build stable democracies.

Therefore, the Venezuela invasion risks the same fate. Without a clear plan to restore order, rebuild infrastructure, and win hearts and minds, the U.S. will face guerrilla attacks, refugee flows, and deep regional instability. Moreover, Russia and China could step in to back rival factions, turning Venezuela into another proxy battlefield.

Why This Matters Now

Trump ran for office on an “America First” promise to avoid foreign wars. Yet here he has launched perhaps the most aggressive move in decades. He has also hinted that Colombia, Cuba, or even Mexico might be next. Such threats violate international law and undermine trust in U.S. commitments worldwide. American allies will worry that no nation’s sovereignty is safe. Adversaries may feel justified in meddling in U.S. affairs as well.

Also, this sudden invasion distracts from urgent domestic problems: the economy, health care, and the fallout from years of political division. The American public will pay for the Venezuelan occupation in higher taxes and diverted resources. Meanwhile, the U.S. image as a champion of freedom will suffer, as critics point to blatant aggression and kidnappings of foreign leaders.

Searching for Monsters and Losing Freedom

In 1821, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams warned that America should not “go abroad in search of monsters to destroy.” He feared that a nation built on liberty could become an imperial power. When the U.S. strays from that principle, it loses its moral standing. Trump’s Venezuela invasion turns force into policy, making the U.S. a “dictatress” rather than a defender of democracy.

For the next three years, Americans will face a harsh test. Will they accept a foreign policy built on conquest and spheres of influence? Or will they demand a return to restraint, respect for international law, and support for genuine freedom movements abroad? The answer will shape the United States and the world for decades to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Venezuela invasion legal under international law?

No. The invasion lacks a claim of self-defense or UN authorization. Kidnapping a foreign leader violates international treaties and norms.

What is the “Donroe Doctrine”?

It is Trump’s twist on the Monroe Doctrine. Instead of defending the hemisphere, it uses military force to invade and control nations.

What risks could the occupation bring?

Occupying Venezuela may spark guerrilla warfare, regional refugee crises, and deep political unrest. It could also drag other nations into conflict.

How might this affect U.S. foreign policy?

Allies may lose faith in U.S. commitments, while rivals could feel free to meddle in U.S. affairs. The U.S. reputation as a defender of democracy will weaken.