President Donald Trump’s surprise assault on Venezuela has ignited fierce debate over his foreign policy contradictions. Mere days into 2026, U.S. forces snatched dictator Nicolás Maduro and his spouse from their stronghold, flying them to face justice in America. This high-stakes raid clashes head-on with Trump’s vow to halt the Russia-Ukraine war overnight and clinch a Nobel Peace Prize.
Experts question if this escalatory tactic undermines his mediation efforts. In an in-depth interview, ex-National Security Advisor John Bolton offered candid insights. ‘Trump got solid backing from Russia in Ukraine initially, but a viable compromise seems unlikely,’ Bolton stated. ‘The gap between parties is too wide for a Nobel-worthy deal anytime soon. Expect Trump to retreat from aggressive deal-making attempts.’
Turning to Venezuela, Bolton hailed the operation as a strategic masterstroke. Maduro’s regime, he argued, served as a launchpad for malign influences from Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba. ‘These actors exploited Venezuela’s oppression of its citizens and its unparalleled oil wealth,’ Bolton noted. Russia prefers Venezuela over Cuba for operations due to distance from U.S. shores, while Cuba depends on Venezuelan fuel to survive.
China dominates the oil market there, controlling nearly 80% of exports and plotting infrastructure takeovers amid the globe’s biggest reserves. Iran’s massive presence in Caracas facilitates Hezbollah surveillance, illicit oil money laundering, and oversight of uranium riches. Such activities breed instability across the Americas, threatening neighbors and America alike.
As Trump juggles these hotspots, the Venezuela success bolsters his tough-on-tyrants credentials. Yet, for Russia-Ukraine peace, it raises hurdles. Bolton predicts caution ahead, warning that bold promises may yield to geopolitical realities. The path to shalom remains fraught, testing Trump’s deal-making prowess like never before.