The Trump administration actively sought to change Venezuela’s political and economic trajectory, perceiving the country’s socialist regime under Nicolás Maduro as a destabilizing force in Latin America. Recognizing the humanitarian crisis and declining living conditions, the U.S. implemented a series of sanctions targeting Venezuelan officials, state oil company PDVSA, and other economic entities. These sanctions aimed not only to weaken Maduro’s grip on power but also to encourage a transition to democracy.
The administration supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who declared himself interim president in January 2019, leading to international recognition from several countries, including the U.S. Diplomatic efforts were accompanied by threats of military intervention, reflecting the administration’s willingness to exert pressure. While these strategies sought to isolate Maduro, critics argued that the sanctions exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Venezuelans, raising questions about the efficacy and ethics of the approach. Overall, the Trump administration’s efforts symbolized a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Venezuela.
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