My debate club will be hosting a debate next week on the Trump administration’s recent actions in Venezuela. Speakers will argue for and against the capture of President Maduro as well as U.S. plans to “overhaul” the country post-Maduro. Here’s what I wrote for the Announcement:
Background
On January 3rd, President Trump ordered a military attack in Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, taking them to New York to face drug and weapons charges. The administration's legal justification for this action was heavily reliant on the position that Maduro was not the legitimate head of state of Venezuela, but rather an "illegitimate dictator" who had rigged elections and committed "egregious violations".
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the U.S. operation to capture Nicolás Maduro as a law enforcement action aimed at arresting an indicted drug trafficker and illegitimate leader, rather than an act of war or invasion requiring congressional approval. Rubio’s justification centered on U.S. national security interests and existing indictments against Maduro.
President Trump has asked Rubio to lead the post-Maduro Venezuela overhaul. Rubio indicated the U.S. would use leverage gained through a naval "oil quarantine" and regional military presence to influence the direction of the Venezuelan government toward a democratic transition and real elections. He clarified that the U.S. was not interested in regime change and would not directly govern the country day-to-day, a point that slightly differed from President Trump's initial claim that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela.
(Wording includes snippets from AI Overview)
Some Arguments in Favor of the Administration’s recent actions and plans regarding Venezuela:
It’s a good thing that Maduro has departed Caracas; he wrecked his country, impoverished his people, stole elections, facilitated the drug trade, flooded the hemisphere with millions of refugees, and aligned his regime with enemies of the United States.
The U.S. should not allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries, such as China, Russia, and Iran, which were in cahoots with Maduro and have reason to fear U.S. power. Their instrument for influence in the Western Hemisphere via Venezuela is now out of power and out of luck.
The U.S. operations and plans for Venezuela will also benefit its people by rebuilding its petroleum industry and by pushing for reforms that will reduce the corruption, crime and economic mismanagement that immiserated its people for years.
(Wording includes snippets from “Rubio: This Is Our Hemisphere — and President Trump Will Not Allow Our Security to be Threatened” and “The Maduro Raid Was a Strategic Victory and a Tactical Success”. Links below.)
Some Arguments against the Administration’s recent actions and plans regarding Venezuela:
If there is an overriding lesson of American foreign affairs in the past century, it is that attempting to oust even the most deplorable regime can make matters worse. The United States spent years failing to create stable governments in Afghanistan and Iraq, with tragic consequences that continue to this day.
If Trump wants to make the case for an invasion and a takeover of another country, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress. Without congressional approval, his actions violate U.S. law.
Trump has recently resurrected the Monroe Doctrine, claiming the right to dominate Latin America to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere. Venezuela has apparently become the first country subject to this latter-day imperialism, and it represents a dangerous and illegal approach to America’s place in the world. By proceeding without any semblance of international legitimacy, valid legal authority or domestic endorsement, Trump risks providing justification for authoritarians in China, Russia and elsewhere who want to dominate their own neighbors.
(Wording includes snippets from “Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise”. Link below.)
There will be a floor discussion after the Speakers’ opening remarks. I’ll be moderating the discussion and attempting to keep it civil. When my words fail to accomplish this end, there’s always the mute button.
—
Links:
Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/opinion/venezuela-attack-trump-us.html
Rubio: This Is Our Hemisphere — and President Trump Will Not Allow Our Security to be Threatened https://br.usembassy.gov/rubio-this-is-our-hemisphere-and-president-trump-will-not-allow-our-security-to-be-threatened/
The Peril of Ousting Maduro https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/peril-ousting-maduro
The Maduro Raid Was a Strategic Victory and a Tactical Success https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/01/the-maduro-raid-was-a-strategic-victory-and-a-tactical-success/
Donald Trump still has no clear plan for Venezuela https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/01/06/donald-trump-still-has-no-clear-plan-for-venezuela
Trump demands Venezuela kick out China and Russia, partner only with US on oil https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-demands-venezuela-kick-china-russia-partner-us/story?id=128963238
Crisis in Venezuela https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_in_Venezuela
Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2025/11/03/russia-venezuela-strategic-partnership-military-energy-diplomacy/
China: A Silent Ally Protecting Venezuela’s Maduro https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/china-a-silent-ally-protecting-venezuelas-maduro/