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It is not the 19th century and the Monroe Doctrine is not relevant in 2026. The lunacy of invading Venezuela for oil, along with President Donald Trump’s vision of American dominance of the Western Hemisphere, hurts our national security, costs us credibility, and is ultimately counterproductive.
I was not surprised that in last Saturday’s press conference Trump did not once mention democracy.
It is estimated it will take up to $100 billion over 10 years to bring their oil production up to the high of 3.5 million barrels a day, a modest sum on the world market. Does anyone think Big Oil will be anxious to sink that kind of money into a politically unstable part of the world?
So, it isn’t for democracy, the promised oil money seems to be all hat and no cattle, and it’s not about drugs as 29-foot boats don’t pose much of a threat. What then?
I am convinced Trump has determined, with Vladimir Putin’s help, that America should control the Western Hemisphere, and leave Russia and China to manage theirs in Ukraine and Taiwan, respectively.
That outcome leaves America strategically isolated and less safe. Sadly these leaders forget it’s not 1890.
Tony Hamlin
Milo