Trump, Venezuela and the geopolitical implications of the “Donroe” doctrine

In the early hours of 3 January, the United States military launched an operation that enabled it to capture, in less than two hours, the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, in order to place them under the jurisdiction of the US justice system. At a press conference held in Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated that he would exercise control over the country, but that he would do so in collaboration with the then Vice-President, Delcy Rodríguez, thereby ruling out a democratic transition in the short term. Days later, Rodríguez assumed the interim presidency and offered to cooperate with the United States, while at the same time condemning Maduro’s kidnapping. The Venezuelan opposition was baffled, observing how the coup appeared to change nothing.

In this session we will analyse the current situation in Venezuela, the prospects for a democratic transition, the regional implications, and the meaning of the United States’ new policy of hemispheric hegemony. We will also discuss the geopolitical consequences that this blatant violation of international law may have, as well as the threats against other countries and territories such as Greenland. The event will feature opening remarks by Pol Morillas, Director of CIDOB; Anna Ayuso, Senior Researcher at CIDOB; Salvador Martí, Senior Associate Researcher at CIDOB; and Melissa Salmerón, Venezuelan analyst.

Participants

Pol Morillas

Director

Anna Ayuso Pozo

Senior Research Fellow and Research Coordinator, CIDOB

Salvador Martí i Puig

Associate Senior Researcher, CIDOB

Melissa Salmerón

Venezuelan analyst