Jan. 7 (UPI) -- OK, he did it. After veiled warnings followed by threats and military actions to intimidate Nikolas Maduro, Donald Trump finally pressed the presidential finger on the button.
It was anchors aweigh. Or, in this case, it was Delta Force in what appeared to be a flawless combined military-law enforcement mission to capture and arrest two Maduros, both now awaiting trial in a Brooklyn, N.Y., jail.
Of the oceans worth of questions about the raid, its legality and many others, three sets stand out. First, why did Trump do it? Why did he believe that such an operation was vital? And why will the Maduros' removal lead to a better life for Venezuelans and the region?
Second, suppose we rewind the tapes to a year ago on Jan. 3, 2025, and President Joe Biden had launched the raid. What might have been the reactions of both political parties and the president-elect, and would that have changed any of Trump's thinking that went into his National Security Strategy released in late 2025?
Third, instead of asking what lies ahead for Venezuela and the region, a more useful question is what could go wrong? After all, the administration has not revealed any plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela. And after just a few days of uncertainty, it is unclear who is in charge in Venezuela and who will fill this role.
