I guess the take away is that if the US government can figure out a way to indict you of an offence that warrants arrest, they can come into your country and take you away regardless of your station in government.
I think this is nothing new and not a surprise. The strongest and those with the most weapons have always dictated the rules and regulations; it's always been that way. On the other hand, although drug trafficking exists, this goes beyond that; it's a matter of geopolitics and strategic warfare. The Venezuelan government had the Russians manufacturing weapons in what could be considered the US's backyard. Venezuela is much closer to the US than Russia itself. The Venezuelan government was also allowing the Iranians to manufacture weapons in the same backyard as the Russians, not to mention the rare earth business, which is almost entirely controlled by China (minerals that are extremely necessary for manufacturing modern weapons technology). The Chinese were extracting rare earths from Venezuela and smuggling them out through Brazil and Colombia. So, without even mentioning the drugs and the fact that he's a dictator to his people, the Maduro government represents a direct threat to US interests. While they have intervened in other countries in the past on other issues, perhaps minor ones, it cannot be denied that this issue with Venezuela is far too complex and important. And obviously, Trump will seek and find the necessary conditions to act and neutralize that situation. And if, along the way, Venezuelans free themselves from the 26 years of Socialism that have impoverished them, then obviously this action against the Maduro regime should be supported. IMO
I think this is nothing new and not a surprise. The strongest and those with the most weapons have always dictated the rules and regulations; it's always been that way. On the other hand, although drug trafficking exists, this goes beyond that; it's a matter of geopolitics and strategic warfare. The Venezuelan government had the Russians manufacturing weapons in what could be considered the US's backyard. Venezuela is much closer to the US than Russia itself. The Venezuelan government was also allowing the Iranians to manufacture weapons in the same backyard as the Russians, not to mention the rare earth business, which is almost entirely controlled by China (minerals that are extremely necessary for manufacturing modern weapons technology). The Chinese were extracting rare earths from Venezuela and smuggling them out through Brazil and Colombia. So, without even mentioning the drugs and the fact that he's a dictator to his people, the Maduro government represents a direct threat to US interests. While they have intervened in other countries in the past on other issues, perhaps minor ones, it cannot be denied that this issue with Venezuela is far too complex and important. And obviously, Trump will seek and find the necessary conditions to act and neutralize that situation. And if, along the way, Venezuelans free themselves from the 26 years of Socialism that have impoverished them, then obviously this action against the Maduro regime should be supported. IMO