Are we the bad guys?  We have now bombed Venezuela. A nation that poses no threat to us at all. I never go to sleep worrying about the Venezuelan Army marching down the streets to Ft Myers.  I never thought we would have to fortify our beautiful beach to fend off an invasion. What are the reasons I think we should be bombing another country? I would think they would have to pose a serious military threat to our nation. Does Venezuela pose that threat? Not in my book. Have we had any terrorist attacks sent by a Venezuelan terrorist group? The last terrorist attack I can remember was performed by domestic terrorists 5 years ago, attacking our Capitol and trying to stop Congress from performing its constitutional duty.

We kidnapped Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife and are holding them for trial. What is he charged with? First, U.S. prosecutors claimed that Maduro was part of a 25-year conspiracy to traffic cocaine into the United States in coordination with designated terrorist organizations. Second, they claim Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials used state institutions to facilitate the shipment of tons of cocaine into the United States, providing protection and logistical support to major trafficking groups. Third, there are weapons offenses, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. These charges stem from allegations that the drug-trafficking operation was protected with military-grade weapons. Fourth, corruption and abuse of power, because prosecutors characterize Maduro’s government as a “corrupt, illegitimate government” that allowed cocaine-fueled corruption to flourish for the benefit of Maduro, his family, and his inner circle. I look at the charges and just shake my head. They look like Trumped-up charges to me. Trump even thinks he can control guns in Venezuela when he can’t here.

Global reaction has been swift, with only Israel having a favorable reaction. Russia and Iran have loudly condemned the action. China has also taken a similarly negative stance, emphasizing sovereignty and international law. No Latin American country has publicly supported the bombing. Most of their reaction has been dominated by shock, condemnation, or calls for de-escalation. Trump is already threatening Colombia; he has repeatedly issued statements that Colombia’s government and President Petro have interpreted as direct threats. No European country has stated support. Europe's reaction has ranged from alarm to outright condemnation, with many calling for emergency UN action. Trump talks and acts like he is in control of Venezuela, but I am pretty sure that he is a long way from being in control. I am pretty sure he has just created more chaos on the streets of Venezuela than there was before. It is probably a much more dangerous place for Americans and American businesses than it was before the bombing.

I just don’t know how ignorant the Trump administration can be. Does he really think that the United States will come out the winner in all of this? I think Trump is playing right into China’s hands.  This action weakens America’s leverage and maybe Europe's too. It only increases demand for Chinese capital. It also creates an opening for long-term relationships between China and the southern hemisphere. It will definitely make China’s terms more attractive than American dominance. This just helps China's slow, methodical expansion. It’s not flashy but effective. China shows up with tools and means, while the United States shows up with threats of suppression. The United States remains militarily dominant, but diplomatically a loser. China offers capital without political conditions and will continue to be slowly welcomed as an alternative to Trump's threats. Over time, Latin America and, in fact, all of the Southern Hemisphere, will become a competitive economic area and not a U.S. sphere of influence.

Who’s next? Many are saying Greenland, but I don’t think that Trump wants to dismantle NATO yet, which taking Greenland would do. If I were a betting man, I would bet that it would be Cuba. Cuba would not be as easy a target as Venezuela. Cuba is not as isolated as some would think. Cuba is not tied to the same narratives that Trump used for Venezuela. The attack would be far more costly, far less justifiable under international law, and far more controversial. So why would I think that Cuba is next? One thing that Cuba would be is one huge distraction. Distraction from what? The Epstein files and the fact that we may have a pedophile in the White House. Is the press talking as much about the Epstein files since he bombed Venezuela? That answer would be no. Trump has been on a huge distraction campaign since he took office. He is creating so much chaos that people like me don’t even know what to write about because every day he is doing something different to change the headlines. Too many of us are finding it harder just trying to keep up with the disaster that is Donald Trump.

Trump sows’ chaos; that is what we are seeing daily here in the United States. Look at all the things that are dominating the news. Venezuela bombing and oil. Who’s next? Ice murdered a woman in Minneapolis. The more chaos Trump creates, the less likely the victims of the Epstein affair will get justice. The chaos will continue until we, the people, rise and demand a change. We need to write. We need to protest. We need to dominate all forms of social media because the mainstream media is no longer the protector of the truth but just the conduit that helps filter the lies to the American people. Most of all, we need to vote. Sitting on the sidelines only quickens the fall of our Republic.