TLDR:
- The U.S. arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3, exactly 36 years after capturing Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega on the same date in 1990.
- Unlike Panama, where 23 U.S. troops died and a popular successor was ready, Venezuela presents far greater challenges with no clear exit strategy.
- President Trump says the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a transition occurs, but has ruled out backing Nobel Prize winner María Corina Machado and has no troops on the ground.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio contradicted Trump by not confirming U.S. control and saying Washington will continue its oil embargo on Venezuela.
The United States launched shocking military operations in Latin America on Jan. 3 — twice, 36 years apart to the day.
The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday mirrors the 1990 capture of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, with both accused of drug smuggling and racketeering. But the similarities largely end there.
The Panama invasion succeeded partly because U.S. troops were already stationed there, and the country’s small size made military control manageable. Just 23 American troops died in the operation. The U.S. also had popular opposition leader Guillermo Endara ready to install as president immediately after Mr. Noriega’s capture.
Venezuela presents stark contrasts. The country is much larger, has no U.S. military presence, and would require a massive troop commitment. Mr. Trump said he hasn’t ruled out “boots on the ground.”
More troubling: there’s no clear successor. Mr. Trump said the U.S. will “run” the country until a “judicious” transition occurs, but he’s ruled out backing opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio added confusion Sunday, not confirming U.S. control and saying Washington will continue its oil embargo on Venezuela.
Read more:
• Maduro’s removal draws comparisons to Noriega, though stark challenges remain
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