Dramatic reversal for a man who previously criticised US regime changepublished at 18:56 GMT
18:56 GMT
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Image source, Reuters
During the news conference, a reporter asked Donald Trump
about what could generously be described as America’s spotty record when it
comes to triggering, and dealing with the consequences of, regime change in
foreign nations.
Trump had a simple answer. His administration, he said, has
a “perfect track record of winning”.
It may not be that simple, however.
The Venezuelan economy is in shambles. Its industrial
infrastructure is outdated and decrepit. Its political stability has been
undermined by decades of increasingly authoritarian rule.
Trump promised that the US is going to do what’s necessary
to “make Venezuela great again”. He promised to “rebuild their whole
infrastructure”. But that will take considerable American time and effort
including, Trump said, the possibility of US military personnel on the ground
in Venezuela.
It’s a dramatic reversal for a man who had criticised, in
the past, US regime-change and nation-building efforts elsewhere in the
world.
Just over two decades ago, American leaders made similar
assurances about the ease – and potential benefits – of US regime change in
Iraq. While every war and every nation is difference, less than a year into
Trump’s second term he is taking on a monumental task – and staking his
presidency on its success.