Trump deals a 'crushing blow' to remaining international laws
Tehran - BORNA - Foreign Policy reported in an analytical piece that Trump’s strategy, which he refers to as the "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, aims to "restore American primacy in the Western Hemisphere." Analysts suggest that while the administration claims to fight narco-terrorism, the move has created a potentially devastating global precedent.
Although Washington does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president, critics argue that Trump has now provided a blueprint for other global powers to act similarly without regard for international legitimacy.
Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a stark warning in a statement: "If the United States reserves the right to use military force to invade and capture foreign leaders it accuses of criminal behavior, what is to stop China from exercising that same authority over the leadership of Taiwan? What is to stop Vladimir Putin from offering a similar justification for kidnapping the president of Ukraine? Once that line is crossed, the rules that restrain global chaos begin to crumble, and autocratic governments will be the first to exploit it."
In a press conference on Saturday, Trump described the operation as "one of the most stunning and powerful displays of American military power in history," clarifying that his goal includes regime change and long-term administration.
"We are going to run Venezuela until such time as we can have a safe, proper, and smart transition," Trump stated. He did not dismiss the suggestion that this could take years. In a move reminiscent of the rhetoric used before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he claimed that U.S. costs would be offset by "the money that comes out of the ground"—referring to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Trump added that American oil companies would be sent to the country to "fix things up" and secure what he termed as confiscated American property.
The U.S. President also extended his threats to other regional leaders, warning that military operations could soon occur in Mexico and Colombia. He stated that Colombian President Gustavo Petro should "watch out for himself" and claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum does not truly run her country, alleging it is controlled by drug cartels.
More than two decades ago, the invasion of Iraq under George W. Bush was seen as a major blow to international law. However, even then, the Bush administration sought a UN Security Council mandate. In contrast, Trump and his team did not seek any such authorization.
Coming after last summer's military actions against Iran—also conducted without UN or Congressional approval—Saturday’s invasion of Venezuela is being viewed by legal scholars as a "crushing blow" to the fragile shell of international law, potentially ushering in a new era of global lawlessness.
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