Elliott Abrams, who was U.S. special representative for Venezuela in President Trump’s first term, responds to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and discusses what it means for U.S. foreign policy.
Abrams, who also worked in the State Department under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, explains why he supported Trump taking action against Maduro and why he is alarmed by decisions the administration has made since. He details his concerns about the administration aligning with remnants of Maduro’s regime instead of supporting the democratic opposition.
Abrams comments on Trump’s fixation on Venezuelan oil and the administration’s “might makes right” mindset that he says is inconsistent with America’s history. He also questions Trump’s push to seize control of Greenland.
Abrams assesses Marco Rubio’s performance as secretary of state and the potential ramifications of unseating Maduro for other countries in the region, including Cuba. He talks about Trump’s effort to dominate the Western Hemisphere and the importance of asserting America’s values in the year of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, and Al and Kathy Hubbard.
