I write here, not as any kind of expert on US foreign policy, but only as another concerned citizen. It seems to me that the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, was terribly short-sighted. Whatever happens going forward in Venezuela as a result, this move, the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation and the deposing of its leader, however terrible he was, is likely to have grave consequences for us and for the rest of the world. But as laid out in the recent National Defense Strategy, the Trump administration has decided that the world is a place to be carved up between the great powers.
The President says that he is reviving the Monroe Doctrine in which we think of the Western Hemisphere as our particular sphere of influence, that is, to make use of. And indeed, there is a long and sordid history of exploitation of the peoples and nations of Central and South America by greedy, more powerful nations near and far. And this in turn is what has bred gross inequity and resentment in many of these countries. Driven drug trafficking, rampant violence, and desperate migration patterns, and brought reactionary, brutal leaders like Maduro to power.
The resources we are spending on bullying and exploitation, which seems to be our official policy now vis-a-vis the rest of the planet, would be so much more wisely spent in investing in democratic institutions and initiatives. … Do democracy and the welfare of the Venezuelan people matter, or is this just about US control of their rich oil reserves, as the President has indicated?
As has been widely observed, this is all a radical departure from the democratic and international rules-based order that has been in place since the end of World War II. With this preemptory action in Venezuela, we would seem to have lost whatever shred of moral standing we still had in opposing the aggression of Russia and China in “their spheres of influence.”
And beyond the many strategic questions this raises is the question as to what this means for the soul of our country. What would it mean for us if national greed turned out to be the chief American value?
Meantime, nineteen Buddhist monks continue their march for peace from Fort Worth to Washington DC. Reminding us that “peace is every step,” and that simple, daily actions like compassion and open, honest speech on behalf of a longer, wider perspective are not nothing.
And as of January 6, the Magi have found their way once more to a manger in Bethlehem. And have cast down their crowns, bowing before the child whose birth signaled the ultimate end of the old order based on empire and domination, in favor of one based on truth and the power of love.
