Military actions. Covert operations. "Big Stick" diplomacy
The United States has a long and checkered history of intervening directly and indirectly in the politics, economies and social concerns of Latin American countries, stretching back more than a century.
President Donald Trump's administration has already carved out its own unique spot on this extensive record by conducting military strikes on civilian vessels allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela.
Trump has also ordered a flotilla of U.S. warships, fighter jets, drones, thousands of troops and special forces units for potential operations on or in Venezuela as part of a pressure campaign aimed at President Nicolás Maduro. Trump appears to hold Maduro, a leftist dictator, responsible for gangs and drugs that end up on American streets. According to the latest reports, Trump has not yet made a final decision about what he plans to do in Venezuela.
But some experts and former officials caution that Trump needs to proceed carefully in Venezuela, or he risks entangling American blood and treasure in a region where various forms of intervention have been tried many times before to mixed results.
