In a stunning revelation that exposes the hidden contours of Trump-era foreign policy, newly obtained documents reveal the former president's administration seriously contemplated military action against Venezuela in 2020.
The Naval Blockade Proposal
According to explosive reporting from The Independent, Trump officials drafted plans for a comprehensive naval blockade aimed at crippling Venezuela's economy. The strategy sought to prevent oil tankers from reaching Venezuelan ports, effectively cutting off the Maduro regime's primary revenue source.
The proposed blockade would have represented one of the most aggressive military actions in the Western Hemisphere in decades, raising serious questions about international law and regional stability.
Coordinating with Opposition Forces
Simultaneously, the administration explored coordinating with Venezuelan opposition figures to launch strikes from speedboats against military targets. This unconventional approach suggested a willingness to engage in proxy warfare while maintaining plausible deniability.
Documents indicate these plans were developed despite significant opposition from military advisors who questioned both the legality and effectiveness of such operations.
Diplomatic Cover at the United Nations
The Trump team allegedly planned to use the United Nations as justification for their actions, despite expecting formal rejection from the Security Council. Internal communications suggest administration officials believed they could proceed regardless of international approval, citing humanitarian concerns.
This approach mirrored other Trump-era foreign policy decisions that prioritized unilateral action over multilateral consensus.
Regional Implications
The proposed military intervention would have dramatically altered US relations throughout Latin America, potentially destabilizing the entire region and creating new refugee crises.
Neighbouring countries had repeatedly expressed concerns about any military action in Venezuela, warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences and regional economic disruption.
Legacy of Failed Venezuela Policy
The revelation sheds new light on the Trump administration's increasingly desperate attempts to oust Nicolás Maduro after multiple previous strategies had failed. Despite implementing severe sanctions and recognising opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president, Maduro remained firmly in power.
These latest disclosures suggest the administration was willing to consider increasingly extreme measures as diplomatic and economic pressure failed to achieve their objectives.
The full extent of planning and how close these proposals came to implementation remains unclear, but the documents provide a troubling window into the potential for military escalation that was largely hidden from public view during Trump's presidency.
