The Trump Doctrine and the Fall of Maduro: A New Era of Gunboat Diplomacy?
The dramatic events of January 3, 2026, when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was removed from his residence in Caracas, have sent shockwaves through the international community. In a profound analysis, PLO Lumumba explores the implications of this action, framing it as the “death of international law” and the birth of a starkly unilateral “Trump Doctrine.”
A Rehash of Gunboat Diplomacy
Lumumba argues that the removal of Maduro is a modern manifestation of the Monroe Doctrine, updated for the 21st century. He suggests that while the 19th-century doctrine targeted European powers, the current Trump Doctrine asserts absolute American hegemony.
Echoing Otto von Bismarck’s “blood and iron,” Lumumba notes that today’s global issues are being resolved not through resolutions or UN speeches, but through missiles, drones, and warships. In this view, the United States has positioned itself as the world’s ultimate judge, jury, and executioner.
The Resource Factor: Oil and Colonization
At the heart of this regime change, according to Lumumba, lies Venezuela’s vast natural resources. He asserts that the U.S. move is a form of classical colonization aimed at securing the world’s largest oil reserves.
By installing a puppet or “satellite” administration, the U.S. seeks to ensure that American companies exploit Venezuelan oil under the guise of “running” the country for its own good. Lumumba warns that this transactional foreign policy turns sovereign nations into guinea pigs for American interests.
“Give a Dog a Bad Name”: The Charges of Narco-Terrorism
The justification for Maduro’s arrest—narco-terrorism—is viewed by Lumumba as a tactical label used to delegitimize a foreign leader. He compares this to the historical precedents of:
- Manuel Noriega in Panama
- Saddam Hussein in Iraq
- Muammar Gaddafi in Libya
He suggests that the narco-terrorism tag is a way to ensure the target is “dead on arrival” in the court of public opinion, regardless of the evidence. Lumumba points out the irony in these charges, noting that the demand side of the drug trade remains unaddressed within the United States itself.
Precision and Betrayal
How was such a significant operation carried out with laser-pointed success and zero U.S. casualties? Lumumba theorizes that Maduro was betrayed from within his own inner circle.
He suggests that covert CIA activities likely “softened the ground” by recruiting critical human assets within the Venezuelan forces, leading to a pinpointed operation that required “not even a bullet fired.”
The Future of Venezuela: Satellite State or Sovereignty?
With Vice President Rodriguez serving as interim president, Lumumba predicts a period of administration by intimidation. He foresees a “kangaroo process” trial for Maduro resulting in a long-term conviction, followed by a potential pardon under a future U.S. administration once political goals are met.
While sanctions may be lifted to improve the immediate quality of life for Venezuelans, Lumumba warns that the true cost is the loss of national spirit and independence. Ultimately, his analysis serves as a warning: if the “law of the jungle” replaces international law, no nation is truly safe from the whims of a nuclear superpower.
Source: Trump vs Maduro: America’s Hegemony Exposed | PLO Lumumba on Venezuela Regime Change
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