Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes Venezuela and Trump’s hemispheric defence agenda
Oct 31, 2025
In this discussion with Jeremy Shapiro, the Research Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations, intriguing insights unfold about the US military buildup near Venezuela. Shapiro debates whether the initiative addresses drug cartels or aims at regime change, emphasizing the complex motives of the Trump administration. He highlights the role of Florida politics and influential figures like Marco Rubio. Additionally, they analyze the weak legal justifications for military actions and ponder Europe's response to this unpredictable foreign policy shift.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Largest US Naval Build-Up In Caribbean
- The US has deployed an unprecedented naval and troop force in the Caribbean off Venezuela's coast.
- The Gerald Ford carrier group greatly increases combat power, making this likely the largest flotilla ever in the region.
Drug War Framed As Regime-Change Tool
- The administration labels Nicolás Maduro as leading a narco-trafficking terrorist organization and mixes drugs policy with regime-change aims.
- This conflation suggests the buildup may be intended to pressure or enable regime change in Venezuela.
Deal Fell Apart After Rubio's Intervention
- Jeremy describes a failed early-term deal where Trump offered to let Maduro stay if the US and cronies got Venezuela's resources.
- Marco Rubio then intervened, revoking permits and pushing harsher measures that worsened Venezuela's economy.
