Venezuela and Trump 2.0: When foreign policy turns into a game of sanctions and standoffs
Carlos Fernández Carrasco
Director of Institutional Relations @ Rosalia de Castro | Public Speaking Coach
Ah, Donald Trump and Venezuela; a pairing as inevitable as soggy cereal or ill-advised tattoos. The topic of Trump’s potential second presidency affecting Venezuela is like the plot twist nobody wanted but everyone expected.
Let’s dive into it, shall we?
Imagine this scenario: Venezuela, a country whose currency could be described as “Bolivar in name, dollar in reality,” has been subjected to U.S. sanctions, criticism, and a little sprinkle of international intrigue since...forever. You’d think after all these years, Venezuela and the U.S. would at least be cordial exes.
But no, they’re more like feuding neighbors who refuse to put up a fence. Now, Trump’s possible return to the White House is the equivalent of a ‘For Sale’ sign going up on your nightmare neighbor’s lawn, and all you can think is, “Oh great, what fresh chaos will move in next?”
Let’s set the stage: in 2015, Trump slapped sanctions on Venezuela like Oprah giving away cars. You get a sanction, you get a sanction, everyone gets a sanction! To Trump, sanctions were like glitter at a kid's birthday party: fun at first but impossible to clean up and stuck in awkward places years later.
The idea was to put pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government, hoping it would usher in a new era of freedom, democracy, and probably a few luxury condo developments with great ocean views. Unfortunately, the reality has been more like watching a circus where the clowns keep setting each other on fire, but the fire department doesn’t exist.
Now, if Trump were to return, analysts suggest two possible outcomes: double down on sanctions or pivot toward even more extreme measures.
Venezuela’s economy, already held together with duct tape and wishful thinking, might face yet another existential crisis. Those sanctions? They’re not just light slaps on the wrist; they hit hard, especially in the oil sector, which Venezuela depends on like a college student depends on ramen noodles.
Chevron, the only U.S. company with any remaining ties to Venezuelan oil, is currently operating under a waiver courtesy of the Biden administration, but Trump’s second term could see this lifeline ripped away faster than a bad hair weave in a rainstorm.
But wait—there’s more!
Trump has hinted at a stricter stance on immigration, aiming to deport the very same Venezuelans who braved the Darién Gap (a jungle with more hazards than a reality TV show) just to reach the U.S.
Trump sees these migrants not as people fleeing oppression and economic hardship but as potential trespassers in his ever-imaginary “Keep America Great” fortress.
His plan involves not only stepping up deportations but also pulling the metaphorical welcome mat right out from under Venezuelans who came seeking asylum. Imagine climbing mountains, crossing rivers, and dodging armed rebels only to be told, “Yeah, thanks, but no thanks.”
Welcome to the modern American Dream, folks; only achievable if you have the right papers and an impeccable track record of having never set foot in a jungle.
Meanwhile, Trump’s approach to Venezuela is nothing new. Back in 2018, he dubbed Juan Guaidó the “interim president,” a political move roughly equivalent to naming your high school janitor the CEO of Google.
It didn’t do much to shake Maduro’s hold on power but did give everyone a new name to Google.
Will he return to that strategy? Doubtful.
Consider the opposition leaders in Venezuela. They’re rooting for anyone but Maduro, like fans cheering for a new cast in a stale sitcom. Figures like María Corina Machado have congratulated Trump in the past, as if to say, “Please, for the love of democracy, bring some change.”
The only problem?
Trump’s style of “change” often involves slamming doors and cutting funding rather than extending a helping hand.
With Trump potentially back in office, Venezuelans brace for a future where diplomatic relations continue to be nonexistent.
As it stands, there’s no embassy, no consular services, and no formal communication. It’s as if the U.S. and Venezuela have divorced and blocked each other on all social media, yet still share a bank account.
The Trump administration, should it return, may not reopen these channels, leaving Venezuelan-Americans to go through diplomatic limbo just to maintain family ties or offer help back home.
In all seriousness, this isn’t just about economic and political policies.
It’s about real people; millions of Venezuelans whose lives hang in the balance. Trump’s return could mean more sanctions, more hardships, and potentially more deportations for people who have nowhere else to go.
In this game of international politics, let’s not forget who pays the price. Venezuelans deserve better, and it’s time for leaders to step up and recognize that their “hardline” foreign policies come with human consequences.
Alright, let’s bring it back to you. What would you do if you had the power to shape foreign policy?
Would you go full throttle on sanctions or open the door to diplomacy?
Because one thing is for sure: ignoring the problem won’t make it disappear.
So, as this drama unfolds, stay informed, stay vocal, and maybe, just maybe, start questioning the real costs of these “tough guy” tactics.