Uncertainty Surrounds Venezuela After U.S. Arrest of Maduro and Escalating Regional Tensions
Days after a surprise U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to a U.S. prison in New York, uncertainty continues to surround the future governance of the South American nation. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington would assume responsibility for administering Venezuela, as he and senior members of his administration escalated rhetoric and threats toward other countries in Latin America — and even Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
A Complex and Unclear Path Forward
Following Saturday’s operation and Maduro’s arrest, Trump declared that the United States would oversee Venezuela’s transition. However, how Washington plans to manage the country in the weeks and months ahead remains highly unclear and complex.
According to The Washington Post, some of Maduro’s allies remain in positions of influence in Caracas, while others have sharply condemned what they describe as U.S. imperialism. Meanwhile, opposition leaders are effectively sidelined, with many living in exile and largely marginalized by the Trump administration. At the same time, Washington continues to signal the possibility of further military action — not only against Venezuela, but also against other regional adversaries such as Cuba and Colombia.
Pressure on U.S. Officials to Clarify Strategy
The newspaper also highlighted mounting pressure on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime hardliner on Venezuela who has emerged as the public face of the administration’s policy. During multiple media appearances on Sunday, Rubio appeared frustrated when repeatedly asked how the United States could maintain control over Venezuela without engaging in a prolonged military occupation similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan.
In an interview with ABC News, Rubio stated that the administration is focused on shaping Venezuela’s future trajectory and confirmed that the United States would continue to exert pressure through restrictions on Venezuelan oil trade. He framed Washington’s objectives around halting drug trafficking, curbing migration, expelling foreign adversaries such as Iran, and ensuring changes aligned with U.S. interests.
Trump, however, outlined broader ambitions. Speaking to reporters upon returning to Washington from Florida, he said the United States aims to reform Venezuela’s oil sector, rebuild the country, and eventually organize elections.
Who Is Steering the Venezuela Policy?
Despite Trump’s claim that a task force of senior advisers is deeply involved in planning Venezuela’s future, The Washington Post notes that roles and responsibilities within the administration remain poorly defined.
While Rubio is personally focused on the Venezuela file, his extensive duties as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor make it unlikely that he can oversee day-to-day policy. Since returning to office in January 2024, Trump has significantly restructured U.S. foreign policy institutions, relying on a small circle of trusted aides and business associates to manage major geopolitical issues — including Gaza, Ukraine, and now Venezuela.
Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s closest advisers, may assume a larger role. According to sources cited by The Washington Post, the White House is considering assigning Miller — Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security adviser — greater authority over post-Maduro operations. Miller previously played a central role in shaping the administration’s immigration policies and efforts to undermine Maduro’s government.
Escalating Threats Beyond Venezuela
Beyond Venezuela, Trump and senior officials have intensified rhetoric toward other nations in the Western Hemisphere. Just one day after the Venezuela operation, Trump renewed calls for the United States to annex Greenland, arguing that the move is necessary for American national security. He also threatened military action against Colombia, accusing it of facilitating global cocaine trafficking, while Rubio warned that Cuba’s communist government faces serious consequences.
The Associated Press reported that these statements reflect the administration’s intent to expand U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere. Analysts warn that Trump’s increasingly aggressive posture is unsettling allies and adversaries alike, raising a global question: who might be next?
Trump has described Greenland as a strategic necessity, claiming it is surrounded by Russian and Chinese vessels and asserting that Denmark is incapable of securing it. When asked by The Atlantic about the implications of U.S. military action in Venezuela for Greenland, Trump responded ambiguously, saying, “They should look at it themselves. I really don’t know.”
The Return of the Monroe Doctrine
In the national security strategy released by his administration last month, Trump reaffirmed the goal of restoring “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere” as a cornerstone of his second term. He explicitly referenced the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which opposes European colonial influence in the Americas, as well as the Roosevelt Corollary — historically used to justify U.S. intervention in the region.
Together, these principles underscore a renewed assertive U.S. approach toward Latin America and beyond — an approach that, while intended to project strength, risks deepening instability and uncertainty across the region.