Sustained US Engagement Question Central to Success Prospects

The question of whether the Trump administration can sustain engagement in Venezuela beyond the initial military operation has become central to assessing success prospects. Security experts emphasize that Saturday’s strikes capturing President Nicolás Maduro represent just the beginning of what would need to be a lengthy process to achieve democratic transformation.
Dr. Christopher Sabatini from Chatham House questioned whether the Trump White House has “the stomach” for sustained engagement, particularly given domestic political constraints. Polling shows American citizens oppose military involvement in Venezuela, and the War Powers Act may require Congressional authorization for continued operations.
Historical experience suggests that successful democratic transitions following military interventions require sustained external support, resources, and diplomatic engagement over years or decades. Simply removing leaders without addressing underlying institutional, economic, and social challenges typically fails to produce lasting change.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores will face drug trafficking charges in New York, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming the charges relate to narcotics operations. President Trump stated the couple is currently aboard a ship being transported to the United States for prosecution.
The international community has responded with widespread condemnation, with UN Secretary General António Guterres warning of dangerous precedents. The question of sustained engagement becomes more complex given international opposition from major powers and most Latin American nations. Colombia has mobilized its armed forces in anticipation of refugee flows, highlighting immediate challenges that require coordinated regional responses beyond unilateral American action.