<
https://theconversation.com/as-trump-rewrites-the-rules-in-venezuela-nz-faces-a-foreign-policy-reckoning-272680>
"Donald Trump’s seemingly reckless and probably illegal attempt at regime
change in Venezuela highlights the need for New Zealand to rethink its current
stance toward the United States.
Since taking office, the National-led coalition government has steadily
reoriented foreign policy towards Washington. However, the US military
operation of January 3 to capture President Nicolás Maduro has exposed the very
real limitations of that strategy.
Trump’s intervention in Venezuela had been foreshadowed by a military buildup
and series of deadly US attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and
eastern Pacific since September 2025.
But Trump now openly talks about US companies participating in the revival of
the country’s oil industry, which will allow access to the world’s largest
known oil reserves.
The US will “run” Venezuela, Trump says, until there are conditions for a “safe
transition of power”. What that means in reality remains to be seen.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ statement that New Zealand “expects all
parties to act in accordance with international law” seems optimistic given
what has happened so far."
Australia too.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
