01-03-2026, 10:16 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/...93c37a624b
It appears that Putin isn't the only "leader" that believes it is legitimate to seize a sovereign state because he doesn't like its politics. While IMO the government of Venezuela indeed was oppressive of its population and certainly not a democracy in any real sense, unilaterally overthrowing it is not in accordance with international norms previously advocated by the US. We may be off to a much better start than Putin was in terms of overthrowing the government, but as history as clearly shown, what comes next may not be pleasant for the US or Venezuela and may not lead to anything close to the "desired" end state, whatever that may be.
It is very difficult to explain how the US actions are in any way different legally and morally than what Putin is doing in Ukraine. We may have been better at it, and we probably have not yet committed war crimes or caused massive civilian casualties. We have taken the first steps toward "de-Maduroizing" Venezuela, just as Putin wants to de-Nazifying Ukraine. IMO many Venezuelans will not thank us for it. I also want to understand the process that allowed the US to execute this operation. Was congress' (both houses, both parties) leadership informed of this action and allowed to give or withhold its consent?
It appears that Putin isn't the only "leader" that believes it is legitimate to seize a sovereign state because he doesn't like its politics. While IMO the government of Venezuela indeed was oppressive of its population and certainly not a democracy in any real sense, unilaterally overthrowing it is not in accordance with international norms previously advocated by the US. We may be off to a much better start than Putin was in terms of overthrowing the government, but as history as clearly shown, what comes next may not be pleasant for the US or Venezuela and may not lead to anything close to the "desired" end state, whatever that may be.
It is very difficult to explain how the US actions are in any way different legally and morally than what Putin is doing in Ukraine. We may have been better at it, and we probably have not yet committed war crimes or caused massive civilian casualties. We have taken the first steps toward "de-Maduroizing" Venezuela, just as Putin wants to de-Nazifying Ukraine. IMO many Venezuelans will not thank us for it. I also want to understand the process that allowed the US to execute this operation. Was congress' (both houses, both parties) leadership informed of this action and allowed to give or withhold its consent?