Since taking office for the second time as US President in January 2025, Trump has used various ways to reassert the primacy of the United States in the Americas, writes Bloomberg columnist Hal Brands.
He notes that there was diplomatic pressure on Panama, and support from Washington-friendly authorities in Argentina and El Salvador, and increased pressure on Maduro, and fatal strikes on drug trafficking suspects.
By raiding Caracas and capturing the ruler of Venezuela, Trump demonstrated his “favorite method of warfare,” writes Bloomberg, and compares US actions under Trump in Iran (on nuclear facilities) in the summer of 2025 and in Venezuela in January 2026.
The publication draws attention to the fact that both then and now the head of the White House used disinformation and distracting maneuvers to disguise preparations for the special operation. Trump's method of warfare involves maximum secrecy and surprise, the material says.
In the case of Venezuela, Trump gave Maduro a “false sense of security” with his messages about the blockade of Venezuelan oil and readiness for negotiations, the observer believes.
In his opinion, the Iranian and Venezuelan stories have another parallel: both attacks demonstrated “the limits of solidarity between authoritarian powers.”
Bloomberg recalls that Russia and China, which have supported Maduro for many years, are only “indignant” after his capture, expressing sympathy and “praying”, but, as in the case of the Iranian regime, were unable to help.
