On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti The Trump administration’s real goal in Venezuela
Dec 9, 2025
Joining the discussion are Colonel Mark Kansian, a retired Marine Corps officer and defense expert; Elias Ferrer, a Venezuelan political analyst; and Phil Flynn, an oil market commentator. The conversation delves into the U.S. military buildup in Venezuela, purportedly aimed at battling drug trafficking, but many speculate it conceals deeper motives linked to oil interests. The guests explore Venezuela's geopolitical significance, the risks of U.S. intervention, and the complexities of regional politics, raising questions about the true aims behind America's actions.
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Military Buildup And Competing Narratives
- The U.S. has deployed its largest military presence near Venezuela in decades, publicly framing it as an anti-drug mission.
- Critics argue the posture echoes past oil-driven interventions and may mask broader strategic aims.
Iraq Comparison Shapes Skepticism
- Representative Jake Auchincloss compares talk of intervention to the Iraq precedent, highlighting trust erosion from misleading rationales.
- He and others contend drug claims could be a cover for strategic interest in Venezuela's oil.
Marine Counter-Narcotics Experience
- Jake Auchincloss recounts leading a 60-man Marine counter-narcotics mission in Panama and contrasts it with current U.S. tactics.
- He uses that experience to argue the present carrier-centric posture is ineffective for interdiction.