Front Burner Will the U.S. invade Venezuela?
Dec 1, 2025
Jon Lee Anderson, a veteran staff writer at The New Yorker with deep expertise in Latin America, joins to unpack the U.S. military buildup near Venezuela and the implications of Trump's aggressive rhetoric. He discusses whether this is real policy or merely political theater, voicing skepticism about framing Venezuela as a narco-state. Anderson links potential intervention to Venezuela's vast oil reserves and critiques the U.S.'s historical pattern of intervention, revealing the complexities behind the talk of regime change and drug trafficking.
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Theatrics Over Coherent Policy
- The U.S. actions around Venezuela are more performative gunboat diplomacy than coherent foreign policy.
- Jon Lee Anderson says rhetoric and displays of force are theatrical and lack clear justification.
Regime Change Trumps Drug Claims
- The campaign against Maduro appears driven more by regime change aims than by a genuine counter-narcotics strategy.
- Anderson argues labeling Venezuela a narco-regime is a stretch and likely politically motivated.
Where Drugs Actually Originate
- Fentanyl's supply chain mainly involves China and Mexico, while cocaine originates largely in Colombia.
- Anderson says blaming Venezuela for the U.S. fentanyl crisis misattributes the core sources.