VENEZUELA AND DELUSIONDecember 5, 2025

America is being led down the rabbit hole of self-deceit and towards potential war with Venezuela. I believe that our bellicose commander-in-chief has three goals in mind.

Donald Trump’s fixation on small boats crossing the Caribbean from Venezuela to the U.S. goes beyond restricting drug-running. But first, let’s agree that the drug trade is horrible. Latin American shipments of cocaine and fentanyl—the latter’s precursors originating in China—lead many Americans to suffer addiction, ill health and death.

That said, why did Trump recently pardon the former president of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández? A federal grand jury indicted Hernández for being part of a conspiracy to run cocaine from Honduras into the United States. In 2024, a jury in federal court convicted him. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

In a letter dated last October 28—reviewed by Trump henchman and election denier Roger Stone—Hernández claimed that his conviction was politically motivated. The letter flattered Trump as “your Excellency.” (King Donald?) 

Why should the Department of Justice pursue other drug kingpins?

It’s no secret that Venezuela provides bases for drug smuggling. Its socialist and anti-American strongman, Nicolás Maduro, may well be involved. But, is sinking small boats in the Caribbean that carry cocaine and killing their crews a difference-maker? Sadly, cocaine and fentanyl take many other routes to enter the United States. The huge American market dictates that attempts will continue and drugs will flood our country.

That said, Trump’s stance on sinking boats raises serious questions. 

Last September 2, Joint Special Operations Command blew up a boat in the Caribbean, setting it aflame and rendering it inoperable. Two occupants were alive in the water, holding on to the side. A second missile killed them.

It’s doubtful that such attacks by our military are legal. The Coast Guard can act in these cases but only to seize vessels and take prisoners. Trump’s promoting these killings likely violates the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the international laws of war.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth believes that such killings are permissible. His logic: America has a drug problem. America has great military capabilities. Might makes right.

How much credibility does Hegseth have?

Yesterday, the Pentagon’s Inspector General’s office released a report concluding that last March, Hegseth endangered American forces by participating in a chat on Signal, an unsecured messaging app. Participants discussed plans for an airstrike on Yemen— “sensitive, nonpublic, operational information.” The chat could have been overheard.

Now, back to Trump’s goals regarding Venezuela.

One: Oust Maduro and replace him with a right-wing autocrat sympathetic to Trump.

Two: Lean on Venezuela’s new leader so he will make Venezuela’s rich oil reserves available to the United States and not China, Iran or any other country we oppose. Channel the flow of that oil here to provide cheaper gasoline for Americans, who then won’t complain about prices at the pump. And, add cash to federal government coffers Trump can use at will.

Three: Cut himself and his family into real-estate deals in Venezuela’s major cities and along its beaches.

Trump and Hegseth—“America firsters”—seem willing to risk American blood to prove that they themselves are warriors. What they’re broadcasting loud and clear is that many Americans and the Congress they elected have made peace with Trump’s delusions.

This story will keep unfolding. Please check legitimate news sources.

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