Trump’s Venezuelan Policy Producing Solid Benefits
President Trump’s second term has been defined by bold foreign policy moves, and nowhere is this more evident than in his approach to Venezuela. His administration has launched strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean, a campaign designed to reduce the flow of deadly narcotics into the United States. These operations, though controversial, are presented by Trump as a matter of national security. Every shipment intercepted represents numerous lives saved from the scourge of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin that devastates American communities.
Critics on the left have condemned these actions as reckless, even labeling them violations of international law. Yet this criticism reveals a deeper divide. Democrats often appear more sympathetic to the so-called ‘rights” of traffickers, smugglers and illegal border crossers than the victims of their crimes — and the plight of law enforcement officers risking their lives to keep drugs and criminals off the streets of America.
Reversing Biden’s Policies
Trump has also positioned his Venezuela strategy as a reversal of what he calls the failures of the Biden administration. Under Biden, immigration enforcement was lax, allowing gangs, such as Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan criminal syndicate notorious for extortion, kidnapping, and drug smuggling—to infiltrate U.S. communities. Reports of Venezuelan migrants linked to organized crime have fueled fears that Biden’s policies gave cartel affiliates legal protection rather than prioritizing public safety. Trump’s hardline stance, by contrast, emphasizes deportation, interdiction, and military pressure to ensure that criminal networks cannot exploit America’s borders.
Saving American Lives
The logic behind Trump’s naval and aerial strikes is straightforward. Narco‑terrorist boats are the arteries of the drug trade. By severing them, the administration believes it is cutting off the flow of poison before it reaches U.S. cities – and discouraging others from undertaking the journey. Every ton of cocaine destroyed at sea is a ton that will never be sold in Miami, New York, or Los Angeles. Trump has framed this as a war for the survival of American families, insisting that the lives saved far outweigh the diplomatic discomfort caused by Venezuela’s protests.
Law enforcement officials have echoed this sentiment. Former State Department envoy Ellie Cohanim praised Trump’s crackdown on narco‑terrorism, noting that it represents a decisive break from years of acquiescence. The administration has reopened military bases in Puerto Rico to serve as launchpads for Caribbean operations, underscoring the seriousness of its commitment.
Popularity Among Venezuelans
Despite the fiery rhetoric from Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Trump remains wildly popular among Venezuelans. For citizens suffering under authoritarian rule, Trump’s willingness to confront Maduro is seen as a beacon of hope. His tough stance signals that the United States has not abandoned Venezuela to dictatorship. In fact, Trump’s actions have earned praise from international figures, including prominent voices in the peace and human rights community. Reports note that his efforts to pressure Maduro have been welcomed by activists who see regime change as the only path to restoring democracy.
This popularity is not accidental. Trump has consistently spoken directly to the Venezuelan people, promising that America stands with them against tyranny. His administration’s sanctions and military pressure are framed not as punishment of the Venezuelan nation, but as a strike against the criminal elite that has hijacked the nation through fraudulent elections. For many Venezuelans, this distinction matters deeply, and it explains why Trump’s approval remains strong in communities desperate for liberation.
If not specifically stated, Trump’s policies are directed at regime change. In a recent telephone conversation with Maduro, Trump advised him to leave the country before it is too late.
A Broader Vision
Trump’s Venezuela policy is not just about narcotics—it is about restoring American strength abroad. By confronting Maduro, Trump signals to allies and adversaries alike that the United States will not tolerate regimes that export crime and instability. His critics argue that this risks escalation, but his supporters counter that deterrence requires resolve. Weakness, they say, invites aggression; strength compels respect.
The broader vision is clear. America will no longer be a passive victim of transnational crime. Instead, it will take the fight directly to the traffickers, wherever they operate. This doctrine resonates with Trump’s base, who see it as a return to law‑and‑order principles abandoned under Biden.
The Trump doctrine is reminiscent of President George H. W. Bush sending troops into Panama to depose and arrest its drug trafficking dictator Manuel Noriega.
Trump’s Venezuela policy is a lightning rod for debate, but its core message is unmistakable — protect American lives and interests by dismantling criminal networks at their source. His strikes on narco‑terrorist boats, his reversal of Biden’s permissive immigration stance, and his popularity among Venezuelans all reinforce the narrative of a President willing to act decisively where others hesitated. Democrats may continue their Trump-hatred reflexes, but his actions bode will for America’s national security, world leadership and the protection of American lives.
So, there ‘tis.
Another post from my favorite fool-a few hundred words of commentary (AKA drivel…) While reducing the flow of drugs is desirable, it is the flow of fentanyl that needs to be stopped-that is what is killing Americans, and it is not coming from Venezuela. Having seen the overall ineptness of the current regime, I have serious doubts that they really know that there are even drugs on these boats. And our navy and coast guard doesn’t have the capability to interdict these boats to prove they are running drugs? Doesn’t speak too highly of our military (but then Trump has never thought that our fighting boys were something to be proud of…) I suspect that the ICC is going to rule on these actions as ‘War Crimes’ in the very near future, because, they are…. And then there is the possibility of ‘regime change’ that you speak so lovingly of. That has been official US policy numerous times in the past-can you name one instance where we have had a satisfactory outcome for those efforts? Didn’t think so. So, what it appears to me is Trump is trying to be the tough guy here, wants to get us involved in a war with a much weaker country (one with significant oil reserves I might add) under pretenses that their leader is somehow involved in narcotics distribution (let’s not forget the former President of Honduras who was tried and convicted of just that crime-the one that Trump just pardoned, hmmm…) It is obvious to see why I call your writings bullshit-times must be tough for you right now down in Boca because you are really working hard to supplement your meager retirement income-in that regard I do feel sorry for you, but you might try telling the truth for once in your writing, you might find it refreshing….
Mike f … Apart from your evergreen wet-diaper insults, I cannot help but wonder why you — like so many on the left — embrace the criminals and the bad guys. I see the deaths of a couple dozen narco operatives — and the destruction of several tons of illicit drugs a good thing.. Killing people who are killing Americans is a good thing — at least necessary. The regime in Venezuela is illegitimate and criminal. Your suggestion that just because Fentanyl is the major problem that illegal and deadly cocaine, heroine, etc., need not be addressed Trump has used his authority to declare the drug runners and producers to be foreign combatants — and so far, no court has said he is abusing his authority. And spare me your invented straw man accusations about that fictional Larry Horist. I assume you create the straw man because you cannot hold your own with the real person, You and Frank make everything so personal. It must have something to do with a sense of jealousy or personal inferiority. And to what avail? Who do you influence? Hell … who even reads your rants except perhaps a couple other readers and occasionally me. And as little as I do respond to you and Frank, it is more than I should. Get a life, old man.
Your reply shows you are slipping further into the darkness of dementia, you can’t even understand my comments. Of course reducing the flow of drugs is a worthwhile goal (which I said above) however it needs to be done in a legal manner. The clown car of idiots running the government is so inept that I have serious doubts as to whether these boats actually contain drugs. I realize that you are excited to have a president who feels he can do whatever the hell he wants (in simple parlance that is called dictator-clarifying for the ignoramuses such as yourself that might read this), but myself (and the rest of the world)liked the United States that could be counted on to follow the law. Yes, if the navy feels those boats are running drugs, they need to interdict them at sea, so they have proof. I realize you don’t care if they make a few (or a lot of) mistakes in these operations, but that shows you to be an ignorant, cold hearted individual who voted for people in government of the same ilk as yourself
I think the concept of “solid benefits” requires numerical results with statistical validity versus opinion, assumption, and allegation. We have a lot of assumptions here, but few facts supported by evidence, sans one: we are borrowing big time to do this growing the deficit by leaps and bounds while Americans wrestle with “affordability.” My utilities are through the roof. My Social Security payouts are being taxed an extra $2,500 a year for healthcare, guess I can go without food and medicine for two months on 2026. I support means testing but this is mean-testing as lower income folks are being gigged for having tax-exempt interest like on Muni’s and Savings Bonds that the government convinced us to help the cause, take lower returns, but get tax free interest that the Trump appointee now gigs us for. That’s really mean. I pay a few thousand in tariff taxes now and for what: more unemployment? My home insurance is up 30% and my covid vaccine reimbursement is being denied as unnecessary so I must pay even though fully covered by health insurance. No, my focus is on affordability, not drug mules hauling Columbian cocaine when fentanyl is the great killer of Americans. If we really wanted to stop cocaine, we need to go to Columbia, not VZ.
Before we get into the war crimes, inhumanity, stupidity, and Trump’s weird, demented, desires for murder, let’s just talk the why’s and wherefores of the program and policy.
I think the great conservative, now RINO to some, libertarian to himself, George Will said it best, and I paraphrase: “Pete Hegseth is a self-proclaimed warrior who commits war crimes without being in a war.”
To pull this off, Trump has branded low-level drug mules as “narco-terrorists.” He made up this term of spin to “legalize” killing them without a warning or a demand to give up under either the Patriot Act or a UN counterterrorism law, that Trump did not sign, allowing national self-defense against real terrorists looking to harm us. Us blowing that boat out of the water reminds me of that ole Gulf of Tonkin quote on enemy dangers from one of our generals: “it was like the fly attacking the flyswatter.” Good enough to start the Vietnam conflict, good enough to blow the fuck out of some peasant mules running cocaine.
Ask yourself: if this flies, what’s to stop Trump from gunning down dealers in our streets as domestic narco terrorists? Maybe with bazookas and flame throwers to deep six any evidence. How about the fact that Trump has termed Democrats as domestic terrorists, are they now targets in his next campaign to create America in his image? Sure, hyperbole. Can’t happen. Although he does have immunity, he has talked about it.
Some facts: Nixon’s War on Drugs did not work, this won’t either. It’s a demand issue, always has been, and Nixon’s War proved it.
The author talks “fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. Fentanyl components come from Asia to Mexico to us. Cocaine comes from Columbia with some small amounts being shipped through VZ.
The claim of “lives saved,” cannot be substantiated. Trump’s 25,000 lives saved pre boat is a laughable lie. Eighteen boats would save 450,000 lives. In the Caribbean, it’s eight boats for 200,000 lives saved. In 2024, under Biden, a total of 80,400 lives were lost to drugs in America. FYI: that’s a 30% drop in deaths from the previous year.
Fentanyl represents 70% of the deaths. Cocaine represents 28%.
IOW – we are chasing the lower priority drug in the scheme of things when drug deaths are plummeting. Mission accomplished? Before we began? Fire, ready, aim at the wrong target? And we are chasing the mules while the Columbian producers are free to make more and transport in a different mode of transport. Might be loading up those empty deportation planes in Guatemala for their return to the US for more of the brown people.
But the real bottom line is not only the war crimes, but the deficit increase this is producing and for what? You can’t prove any lives saved, any decrease in the drugs on the street, or any increase in price due to short supply. You are chasing the mules only for the second level priority leaving the producers off the hook.
Does make for great TV though. Perhaps they should be careful with what they ask for when doing their video PR work. Hegseth must go, pretty sure Hegseth is an asterisk at this point.
We have no proof they are drug runners, no proof they had drugs, proof that some are not VZ, no proof we are saving lives in America, no proof this will slow drug flow In America, lots of proof that fentanyl is the top priority, lots of proof that fentanyl does not come from VZ, or through VZ, and lots of proof that this is running up our deficit big time. And for what? Can’t prove they are guilty, can’t prove it matters. We need to focus on facts, not what Trump and company say —– that’s just silly to believe these folks carte blanche based on their record.
So what do we do? Ignore the drug problem? Trump’s war on drugs is working. By the way, did Dunger really throw rocks at black people in Harper’s Ferry WV?
Frank Danger … From a guy who has previously bragged about being an illegal drug dealer on this site, — enough to pay for college, as I recall — I understand you perspective.
Horist cannot comment on the facts and issues.
Frank Danger…. Are you really that stupid or that obsessed. I gave my perspective of the facts and issues in the commentary — as I always do. And with out name calling and nasty insults. I know you crave a long response to all your written crap — and that you want to bicker as a justification for you existence. You will have to get your pathetic desperate lust satisfaction from someone else. I have told you many times, responding in detail to your looooong rants are a waste of time. I trust readers to judge my commentaries — and your obsessive responses — for themselves. I adhere to the advice that it is never beneficial to get into a pissing contest with a skunk.
Horist cannot comment on the facts and issues. I have busted him royally on this one and his only response is meaningless deflection and low-brow childish name calling. I will not lower myself to his puerile rant of a deflection but will rest with the proof how he is wrong. His perspective is as weak as his facts, many of which he is just plain wrong-headed on, and I have shown it.
What do you mean “perspective?” Like selling pot as the last man in the value chain is the same as being a mule for cocaine? Or even similar? You do know that statute of limitations on my crime was up 5 decades ago, but you still can’t give a second chance? You still have to bring it up as some sort of badge of dishonor? It was my business dealing pleasure for a bit many decades ago. Suck on it.
I understand you perspective. Saw lots of it from the 70’s establishment types. You lost then, you will lose again. Power to the people. Peace, love Woodstock.
Does not change the facts: the Nixon drug war, your last and only war, failed miserably. Fentanyl is the current major killer and you are chasing cocaine. Cocaine comes from Columbia, not VZ and you are chasing VZ. You are chasing mules and leaving the production and producers alone. Mules are low-level expendables, as are the boats it appears. You have zero proof you killed mules or sunk any cocaine. You have not proved it. For all you know, you are going after a diversion. You just don’t know. You appear to support murdering shipwrecked mules on capsized non-operative boats. How can you defend your support of killing people who can’t fight back after you blew the fuck out of them? Imagine those guys. Freaking missiles come in, boat blows up, you are tossed into the sea, half your clothes are blown away but glory be to God, you are alive; you grab a piece of wreckage, start waving at your attackers for rescue, and the next thing, the last thing you see is the double-tap missile right between your eyes. There is a special place in heaven and hell for the two sides of this coin.
That’s that actions of a cur. And you seem to be all gung ho in your support. Why do you support stepping on the throat of the dog when it’s down? And then twisting? Scurrilous actions for sure.
You perspective understood is to note that I sold some pot in the 70’s, I did not brag, I did not finance college, I did augment college and a lot of concerts and parties. Your memories seem incorrect except that IF you don’t like it, it must be bad. History has shown us —- it’s basically legal now and your memories seem tainted. You perspective on these actions outside our Constitution, our traditions, our morals are understood. Your perspective on your response is understood too. You can’t. Nor do most of the writers round here.
Horist is against drugs, apparently even pot. On this one though, he seems to be quite trusting without a shred of verification. He really does not know who we are blowing out of the water, whether any drugs at all are involved at all, or that the results mean anything given he’s chasing mules for the second biggest drug killer in America, not the first, and he’s not touching the producers and profiters in Columbia. Cocaine comes from Columbia, Fentanyl from Mexico with Chinese components, he’s chasing low-level mules in VZ. It’s like he’s back in Nixon’s War on Drugs although this time he believes he is winning by attacking the wrong targets. He does not know and the history and actual factual evidence go against him. And he worked with Nixon, he should know how that turned out.
Some facts. His theory starts with: “every shipment intercepted represents numerous lives saved from the scourge of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin that devastates American communities.” Except fentanyl comes from Mexico, not VZ. VZ does mule cocaine from Columbia so we are, at best, hitting some mules for cocaine, maybe pot, but I doubt that anymore given our legalization efforts. So, coke mules, but the coke is still being made and shipped. Just not through VZ on boats.
He claims numerous lives saved; he’s smart not to repeat Trump’s lie that each boat sunk saves 25,000 American lives. First, if we just count the Caribbean, that’s 8 boats and 200,000 lives. If we count the Pacific sinkings that’s a combined total of 18 boats or 450,000 lives saved. Trump lies and Larry sanitizes it since 80,400 Americans died of drug overdoses, all types, in 2024, down from 110,000 in 2023, a 28% drop under Biden. Trump, at the time he made the bogus claim, told the Canadian Prime Minister we saved 100K lives, just 20K over how many Americans died in 2024, not included Canada that Trump also took credit for.
Horist is accepting and repeating lies, assumptions, and allegations from known liars. Trust and don’t verify. Twice.
Of the deaths, fentanyl represents an overwhelming 70%; cocaine like that from VZ, 28%. Horist is chasing the lower priority drug and he does not even know it. And the death rates are plummeting by 28% of year, so what’s the priority? This that increases the deficit OR the deficit?
He also uses the term “narco-terrorist” but does not seem to know that this is a made-up “Trump brand’ to skirt the due process of law and basically loophole the patriot act and UN decree by labelling them terrorists.
And remember, we have no proof who was on the boats, what they were carrying, and we seem to assume all VZ’s are terrorists. Horist policy even murdered two survivors with a double-tap missile strike. Overkill? Cruel and unusual? Sure seems it.
Here’s the real deal. Fear and loathing. Distraction from domestic issues. When you pick a scapegoat for diversion from your domestic woes, it’s best if they can’t strike back. Then you make up a story, find a legal loophole, and do what Trump has always wanted to do, but couldn’t quite check the box off his bucket list. “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, okay, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay?”
VZ immigrants are less criminal, on average, than other immigrants according to facts. We deported about 240 suspected VZ gang members; there is no proof any of them were. Guaranteed one was a gay barber with a rainbow tat. And all immigrants have lower crimes rates than native-born Americans. Tis the facts. Fentanyl comes from Mexico with Asian components. Tis true. Cocaine comes from Columbia, sometimes distributed through VZ. Also true He has stopped those boats, he has not stopped the manufacture and there is zero indication of less drugs on the streets, increasing prices due to supply shortages.
This is Nixon’s war on drugs all over again; how did that turn out? Is there any freakin difference this time around to make Horist believe in a different outcome?
Dunger the people who bring illegal drugs into our country deserves nothing. So go join a circle jerk and stfu. Being a pivot man would suit you.
Wussie: why do you have to act like such a dick? On the merits of your comment: unlike you, I do not support murder by a drunk sexual abuser and his sex abusing felonious tax cheating defamer of women boss working outside the law, international law, in committing war crimes without a war.
I have no issue with stopping illegal drugs or illegal anything from entering the US. I am against blowing folks out of the water for a publicity on our cruelty and dishonoring the rule of law. There is no way blowing the fuck out of two guys, no matter what they did, clinging to wreckage from the first strike is OK. There will be accountability here as the rats scurry to point the fingers away from themselves. Hegsucks who claimed he liked it is now pivoting, which I guess you love, to blame the Admiral. Also, cocaine is the second priority; we are not even scaring the producers. It represents about 28% of our drug deaths while Fentanyl, from Mexico, represents 70% of US drug deaths. Wrong target, wrong methods.
Bottom line is that this shit costs a lot of money and we are running the largest deficit in four years, tying Biden for one year and being over Biden for two years. I am pretty sure we can spend your dollars more wisely, efficiently, and effectivley. I believe if we are going to spend big bucks on catching drug runners and mules, that we should focus first on the number one killer: fentanyl. That comes from Mexico starting in China. OR, if you want to target the second priority, Cocaine, the farms, the factories, the producers, are in Columbia, not VZ. This is a fool’s mission that makes for great TV. Does not do much else of benefit.
Why do you spend so many words on being gay? We don’t care your sexual proclivities.
FYI: when I say Trump’s first year deficit is a complete failure and he LOSES against Biden’s last three years, remember, that includes you facing the tariff taxation without representation where you put in $200B to essential pay down Trump’s YUGE deficit. If the SCOTUS returns those funds, Trump’s deficit will be blown out of the water putting him over $2T added to your debt.
Guess he can blame Biden for creating a lower deficit. You would believe that’s bad.
In other words you’re anti American. When you spout your nonsense it makes me wonder if threw rocks at blacks in Harper’s ferry wv. I can’t say that you did. Just asking. But drug dealers deserve much more thrown at them. I’ve actually witnessed this death among families. So go join the boat crews. Maybe your boat will be next. BTW. I have a reason for asking about rock throwing. Part of it is the way that you smear Larry’s family. And Trump is doing a great job.
In actuality, in reality, I have said absolutely nothing that is anti-American. PROVE IT.
You just say that for effect, you have no proof and cannot prove your deranged delusion that I am anti-American in this or any comments. Then you pitch the ole “I’ve witnessed” anecdotal data. You must realize I am a child of the 60’s and 70’s, no fentanyl back then, but plenty heroin, lsd, q-ludes, pcp, and worse. Not only seen it all, felt it too. Luckily no deaths in family, but how about a college roommate committing suicide for it, and another family member’s roommate relapsing and then collapsing dead on his couch? That was recent. That was fentanyl. Learned you gotta cover the rent in NJ for that one as family ducked obligations. But what the fuck does any of this have to do with blowing the helpless, half-naked, unarmed, out of the water for a better movie? That’s murder and we will hold them accountable for their actions.
Harper’s Ferry? Rocks? Blacks? Have you even ever been to Harper’s Ferry? You do realize that only 350 people or less actually live there? And Blacks? Yeah, sure. You are delusional again.
Amazingly, while I have not a fucking clue what the hell you are talking about, I did use to live close to Harper’s Ferry and enjoyed the area muchly. Many stories: here’s just one. We are in an abandoned water-filled quarry up the hill from there, it’s lime green-blue, with three cave entrances the size of a full sized dump truck or larger above the waterline, gosh knows below. We’re having a fine time, swimming, cooking hot dogs over a fire, cliff jumping from about 25 feet up a solid rock cliff, have to climb up with help from one little scrub tree, about three feet tall. Post lunch we get ready for another swim, look over the cliff, and I swear: ten-foot black racer covers the tree. We hit it in the head with a rock, it glared, we left. So there you go, I did hit a black racer with a rock above Harper’s Ferry. Talk about a segue. Ironic, ain’t it.
Riding back with my buddy double on his 5 hp Briggs n Stratton custom chopper mini-bike, I swear we see a cow’s ass, with the cow turning it’s head to glare at us as we hit the really fresh cow pie without a fender on a chopped front wheel. Another segue from your moronic comments. He shoulda popped a willie. Felt lucky to be in back as my buddy took it full to the face. We went around the back to where another cave was, cleaned up, and the cave looked cool, the other guys had a big raft, we inflated, and rowed in. It got darker and darker, almost pitch. There was a shaft of light coming in from the top and as the darkness thickened, it shown across the cave directly on a cross rising from the water, as a giant crash came from the top. We were having a collective heart attack when we realized: telephone pole for the cross, yeah, that’s how deep it was. And trash from above. Didn’t matter, we levitated, did a 180, and motor-boated out of there and home.
I got more. Harper’s Ferry was basically in my back yard so much time spent in the area. Many memories. Even spent my wedding night there when no room at the Inn, the Bavarian Inn that is. Up in Sharpsburg, by Antietam, only 5 five restaurant in WV at that time. Wanted their Sauerbraten in the worst way. My memories are clear but your memory of me never occurred. Pretty hard to find a black person living in Harper’s Ferry amongst the couple hundred residents. Really just a tourist trap now, not even sure you can stay overnight anymore although I have stayed there, I have camped in the area, hiked a lot, and have even taken a hundred mile bike trip down the C&O canal diverting to HF for repairs.
Let’s see you prove your bullshit about my anti-American actions OR tossing stones at Blacks. If you can’t, I guess you are full of shit. And one more: how did I smear Larry’s family by repeating Larry’s words? Are you really saying that Larry’s Black daughter is a smear on Larry’s family? Go figure on that one too. Keep trying, keep the faith, but you are a total tosser based on your own thoughts, words, and statements here. Unless you can PROVE IT, you should really STFU about it.