'NOBODY CAN STOP US!': Trump THREATENS Cuba, Mexico, Colombia
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Former President Trump explicitly stated the US intends to 'run Venezuela' following the capture of Nicolas Maduro.
- ❖Trump issued direct threats to Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia, linking their stability to US interests and actions.
- ❖The hosts characterize this US foreign policy approach as 'international gangsterism' and a return to 'gunboat diplomacy' from the 1800s.
- ❖The Monroe Doctrine is being reinterpreted as a justification for America to 'do whatever it wants' in the Western Hemisphere.
- ❖The US action sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing other superpowers (e.g., China with Taiwan) to justify similar unilateral interventions.
- ❖Despite the dramatic capture, the hosts suggest the situation in Venezuela has not fundamentally changed, with the same regime (minus Maduro) still in power.
- ❖There's speculation that Maduro's capture might have been part of a backroom deal between the Trump administration and other factions within the Venezuelan regime.
- ❖The hosts express skepticism about the US's ability to competently manage long-term occupations or governance plans in foreign countries, citing historical failures.
Insights
1Trump's Explicit Intent to 'Run Venezuela' and Regional Threats
Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, former President Trump made direct statements about the US intending to 'run Venezuela.' He also issued explicit threats to Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia, citing Cuba's economic vulnerability due to lost Venezuelan oil and accusing Colombia's President Petro of running 'cocaine mills.' This rhetoric signals a clear intent for direct US control and influence over sovereign nations in the region.
Trump's statements: 'We're going to run Venezuela,' 'Nobody can stop us,' 'Cuba is ready to fall,' 'something's going to have to be done with Mexico,' and 'He's making cocaine. They're sending it into the United States. So he does have to watch his ass.'
2The Reinterpretation of the Monroe Doctrine as Unilateral US Power
The hosts argue that the Monroe Doctrine, originally intended to prevent European intervention in the Western Hemisphere, has been 'morphed' into a justification for America to 'do whatever it wants.' This reinterpretation allows the US to act unilaterally without regard for international law or the sovereignty of other nations, echoing problematic Cold War-era interventions.
Host Sager explains the Monroe Doctrine's original intent vs. its current 'America gets to do whatever it wants' interpretation, noting its historical failures and how it engenders opposition.
3US Actions as 'International Gangsterism' and its Global Precedent
The US's capture of Maduro and subsequent threats are framed as 'international gangsterism,' operating like mob bosses through threats and intimidation rather than formal diplomacy or full-scale military occupation. This approach sets a dangerous global precedent, potentially justifying similar actions by other major powers (e.g., China regarding Taiwan), undermining international law and stability.
Host Crystal describes the 'international gangsterism' mentality (). Host Sager discusses the implications for Taiwan, stating China could use similar reasoning for intervention based on proximity and 'sphere of influence' ().
4Limits of Trump's Intervention and the Potential for a Backroom Deal
Despite the dramatic military spectacle, the hosts suggest Trump's actions demonstrate a limit to his willingness for full-scale regime change and occupation, as previous war games indicated it would be a 'mess.' The situation has not fundamentally changed, with the same regime (minus Maduro) still in power. There is speculation that Maduro's capture might have been part of a pre-arranged deal between the Trump administration and other powerful factions within the Venezuelan government.
Host Crystal notes Trump 'showed his hand' by not pursuing full regime change due to projected 'mess' (). Host Sager discusses the possibility of a 'backroom deal' where other Venezuelan leaders allowed Maduro's capture for economic benefits like lifting sanctions and oil licenses ().
Bottom Line
The US's 'might makes right' foreign policy, exemplified by the Venezuela intervention, incentivizes other nations to acquire nuclear weapons as their only reliable 'insurance policy' against US unilateral action.
This directly contributes to global nuclear proliferation, making the world significantly more dangerous and increasing the risk of nuclear conflict.
For defense contractors, this creates a long-term demand for advanced weaponry and nuclear deterrence technologies from nations seeking to safeguard their sovereignty.
Key Concepts
International Gangsterism
A foreign policy approach characterized by operating like mob bosses through overt threats, intimidation, and coercion (e.g., holding a leader hostage, amassing forces) to achieve geopolitical aims without full military occupation, while keeping the threat of direct military action on the table.
Gunboat Diplomacy
A form of foreign policy that relies on the display and use of naval or military power to coerce or intimidate other states into complying with demands, reminiscent of early 19th-century colonial tactics.
Lessons
- Recognize that US foreign policy under certain administrations may prioritize overt coercion and military spectacle over traditional diplomacy, leading to unpredictable global consequences.
- Understand that 'international law' is increasingly viewed as a flexible concept by major powers, potentially leading to a more chaotic and less predictable global order.
- Consider the domestic political motivations (e.g., influence of specific lobbies) that can drive seemingly irrational foreign policy decisions, even when economic alternatives exist.
Notable Moments
Sager recounts a running joke about major geopolitical events (Biden dropping out, October 7th, baby's birth) occurring whenever he is 'off the grid' or on personal leave.
This lighthearted moment provides a personal touch and highlights the unpredictable nature of global events, even for those who cover them professionally.
Quotes
"Nobody can stop us. There's nobody that has the capability that we have."
"Cuba literally is ready to fall. And you have a lot of great Cubanameans that are going to be very happy about this."
"He's making cocaine. They're sending it into the United States. So he does have to watch his ass."
"If you are any country around the world, you should be thinking, I need to get nukes because that's basically your only insurance policy against the US doing whatever the hell the US wants to do with you."
"The whole mentality I think the best way to think about it is a couple things. Number one, in the same way that you have the um Israel lobby, you have a like, you know, Miami South America lobby that is obsessed with these things and that are very influential both in terms of financial donations, in terms of the administration and in terms of a political constituency that's important to the Republican party."
"They are operating like mob bosses through threats and intimidation. We're going to hold your leader hostage and do with him what we will."
"I think international law is fake. And that's why I'm like, I'm not using some, oh, illegal kidnapping and all of that. Might does make right, but that doesn't mean that you should do it."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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