Best of the Spectator Americano: what is the Donroe Doctrine's plan for Venezuela?
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Jan 4, 2026 
Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest, shares keen insights on the recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela and the implications of detaining Nicolás Maduro. He analyzes Trump's America First doctrine, discussing the strategic motivations behind targeting Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves and the potential regional backlash. The conversation unveils the delicate balance of power between the U.S., China, and Russia, while warning of the risks of entanglement in counterinsurgency. Lastly, Heilbrunn predicts the future leadership landscape in Venezuela.
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Operation Is Clearly Regime Change
- The US operation that captured Nicolás Maduro is 100% regime change despite official criminal-justice framing.
- Jacob Heilbrunn warns Trump's declaration that "we're going to be running the country" creates the risk of long entanglement and counterinsurgency.
Oil Drives Much Of The Strategy
- Oil is a central motive and Trump openly discussed US oil companies investing in Venezuela.
- Heilbrunn emphasises extracting Venezuelan energy would be slow and costly, so immediate gains are limited.
A New Hemispheric Doctrine
- Trump frames a new hemispheric sphere-of-influence — dubbed the "Donroe Doctrine" — to evict rivals like Russia and China.
- Heilbrunn says this reassertion of American dominance is a deliberate strategic aim of the administration.