Foreign Policy Live The Case for Trump’s Venezuela Plan
Jan 13, 2026
Matthew Kroenig, a Foreign Policy columnist and senior director at the Scowcroft Center, argues that Trump's removal of Maduro in Venezuela was a justified move due to security threats and Venezuelan suffering. He outlines a cautionary transition plan to stabilize the country without repeating past mistakes like Iraq and Afghanistan. Kroenig also discusses how changes in Venezuela could affect Cuba and emphasizes the strategic importance of U.S. national security efforts in the region. Lastly, they touch on Iran's protests and the risks involved in U.S. intervention.
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Removing Maduro As A Strategic Win
- Matthew Kroenig argues removing Maduro improved U.S. security by denying adversaries a foothold in the hemisphere.
- He claims Maduro's criminality and misrule made his removal beneficial for Venezuelans and U.S. interests.
Law’s Limits On Covert Force
- Kroenig says presidents need leeway for short, decisive secret missions and domestic law offers little effective constraint.
- He argues international law lacks enforcement so states will always negotiate and justify force politically.
Phase Interventions: Stabilize, Recover, Transition
- Focus on three phases: stabilize, recover, and transition when intervening in failing states.
- Prioritize stability first to avoid Iraq/Afghanistan-style state collapse before economic recovery and democratic transition.