Tensions between Venezuela and the United States are rising as Trump cracks down on drug trafficking, illicit oil shipments, and hostile foreign influence in Latin America. With talk of confrontation swirling in the media, questions are mounting about how far the U.S. should go—and what lessons history offers.
Victor Davis Hanson puts Trump’s standoff with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro into historical perspective and explains why a military invasion of Venezuela would be a strategic mistake on today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.”
“Something that the world is looking at. And for the United States to go in there and have a ground removal, I think would be unwise at this point. So, what would be the alternative? It’s sort of what we’re doing now. We’re isolating all drug shipments, illegal transportation of embargoed oil out of Venezuela. It’s kind of a quasi-blockade/embargo. And they’re going to tighten the screws.”
(0:00) Introduction
(0:50) US Interdiction Efforts
(2:18) Historical Context: The Invasion of Grenada
(5:24) Challenges of a Venezuelan Invasion
(6:21) Political Ramifications
(7:37) Final Thoughts
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50 Comments
Wrong again, huh?
Well that Venezuela prognosis didn't age well.
I can't believe some folks are suggesting we invaded Venezuela. The Gulf War saw a million soldiers deploy in a foreign nation for years, establishing beachheads, building bases and landing strips, and building supply lines to sustain everything. Even with the carrier support group at Operation Absolute Resolve, you're talking like 5-10 thousand troops top and none of the actual invasion stuff. Hell, the average football stadium in the US holds 70,000; if the stadium is like 20% full does anyone in their right mind call that an invasion? Noooo!
Trump ran on not being a warmonger, I don't think his base really cares. If he announced all gun laws in the US are unconstitutional and being permanently removed, Trump could actually invade and conquer Venezuela and keep it as a US territory without losing JD Vance any votes when he runs for Prez.
I love how bad this guy’s analysis was 😂😂😂😂😂 with the power of hindsight we mock u
If we don’t take Venezuela now…China or Russia will move in…my opinion
Yes but it’s not going to happen…my opinion
And the Left does nothing but protest. They don't love this country. They are traitors !
No war. Mission accomplished.
SOMEBODYS DAYS ARE NUMBERED
This aged well lmao
The crisis in Venezuela can be laid on the action of the Progressive Democrat Biden-Harris administration. They allowed millions to enter the United States illegally. Now we have clean up Biden’s mess.
Was it war or a arrest a criminal and help rebuild after he sent drugs to USA and illegals and gangs
No need to "invade." ..Trump just went and got 'im!😅
I voted for the peace President who said regime change was a failed policy. He is such a pompous liar.
Only way to oust China , Iran , Russia etc. is some invasion.
What War?
He says that about any conflict.
lol this guy should def remove this video now lol
The 16 minute Venezuela war 😊
War w Venezuela is inevitable, how else do we take advantage of that real estate , awesome property and mineral rich land , 50% undeveloped jungle, Naval Port for US ships that rivals anywhere on earth ,
.
All wars of US are strategic catastrophies 😅😅😅
And now they thinking of Herding goats from camels.
Winning
scores better
than theoretical
preferences
Much love Victor…Praying you're well…heard you had surgery… 🙏
Trump is lying. Columbia is not supplying drugs it is costarica and Panama, who has puppet billionaires working for US.
Venezuela is not supplying drugs to US, and Venezuelan citizens voted Maduro with majority. Maduro did offer oil deal to US many times but US rejected, but also made deals with China. So Trump is lying and since Maduro is a left wing and non European, he wanted to replace him with a white far right conservative puppet.
People like you will destroy the whole world with your arrogant dumb attitude. Know the truth first, US legally imports drugs and fentanyl from all around the world through the ports of Panama, and from industries in costarica legally!, and US knows that and they lie because they steal resources from other countries. Green land is having legal trade with China, so securing Greenland iis another global BS. SO STOP PRETENDING THAT YOU KNIW THE TRUTH AND STOP LYING
I’m starting to wonder if Trump watches Victor Davis Hansen.
Do a little investigating: China and India are the two biggest suppliers of the precursor chemicals needed to make fentanyl and meth. Mexico is, by far, the largest producer and exporter of fentanyl and meth in the world. Columbia is the largest producer and exporter of cocaine in the world. Myanmar is the largest producer and exporter of heroin in the world. On the list, you have other countries, such as Peru, Ecuador, Afghanistan, etc. Venezuela produces very little. They are simply a conduit for other countries to export their drugs to South America. Maduro is a bad guy, as are all dictators, but his arrest will do NOTHING to stem the tide of drugs coming into the U.S. If this were about drugs, we would have gone after Mexico, Colombia, China, and India. It's all about oil as the chief Luddite in the White House made very clear the other day, and nothing more.
Send the Marines, if Venezuela refuses their country run by USA.
That didn't age well.
Full of it…
Welp! We got our answer.
This aged horribly you fool
Trump took out Maduro faster than it took to produce this video.
Trump lost any support i had for him by doing this.He will insert a puppet now
He was wrong. 😂 Trump did it in 3hrs.
😂😂😂. A history guy would know much better pal. How’s that worked out for 🇺🇸. You can’t even admit that this is wrong. I’m glad you are getting better sir, but your take is rediculous.
We're waiting for your update, VDH.
That s*** was over before it even started😂
Thanks for repeating the same old lies Victor. EVERY person from Venezuela came from a jail? Really? Also doesn't he know he could risk losing the prestigious FIFA Peace prize award? I know, Maybe Zohran Mamdani will get the next one.
FAFO ! A president that does what he says he is going to do…..First in my lifetime.
I expect this video to be deleted.
Although I like Victor Davis Hanson, he's just another blowhard who was just shown to know nothing. What an embarrassment for this know-it-all.
I think you took the wrong lesson from Grenada. Prove that we can get sloppy in military. By the end of it we still won. And that's really the main thing it proved that the Communists doctrine of inevitability was false. The ratchet towards communism is not a real thing. You can turn it the other way.
You pride yourself as a WWII historian. Where did Venezuelan oil go during WWII? This isn't hard to figure out.
It will be very interesting to see how this plays out and who controls the flow of oil and how the venezualan government leans 🤔
Has trump opened pandoras box? We shall see.
Wow! Not even VDH thought this as possible. Trump is the Man
This man just had major surgery. How is he doing videos already? Remember. AI will deceive the masses. That's most of you.
There is no war you damn media. The citezens of venesuala are rejoicing
Hey Victor, maybe you should spend more time tending your to your farm than making political commentaries about what Trump should do.
Just watched Jordan Peterson's guest explained the Venezuela problem. https://youtu.be/MnNwIrPrDak?si=NXrEFVc-IDmFhH5o
At 6.00 Socialism means 80% of the population is in poverty. That should tell you where NYC is heading.
Trump MUST put all maduros supporter in jail and have free elections.