Brute Force in Venezuela

"The capture of President Nicolas Maduro following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that violates international law opens a dangerous scenario. The risk at this moment is twofold. On the one hand, there is the attempt to portray a military operation as synonymous with democratic liberation. On the other, chavismo may use the foreign intervention and the capture of its leader as a pretext to close ranks, further militarize the country, and justify limitless repression under the banner of national defense."

"Violence, wherever it comes from, does not build institutions or restore rights. Donald Trump's decision caps a year of impulsive, personalistic foreign policy that ignores multilateral norms. Trump is not acting here as a guarantor of democracy, but rather placing force above the rule of law. Other powers will take note of these new rules as they look at Taiwan or Ukraine."

"Pointing this out is not a defense of the Venezuelan regime, but a warning: democracy is not exported by missile strike, nor imposed from the air much less when invoked by someone who has repeatedly shown contempt for institutions. That drift became even clearer when Trump himself stated that the United States would run Venezuela until there is a safe transition, effectively assuming control of the country without once mentioning Venezuela's democratic opposition."

The United States' military operation in Venezuela violated international law and resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, creating a dangerous political and security scenario. The operation risks reframing external military force as democratic liberation and gives chavismo a pretext to close ranks, further militarize, and justify widespread repression in the name of national defense. Violence will not rebuild institutions or restore rights. The decision reflects impulsive, personalistic foreign policy that elevates force above multilateral norms and the rule of law. Claims that the United States would run Venezuela negate sovereignty and preclude any legitimate domestic transition.

Read at english.elpais.com