It tells the world that the so-called rules-based order, already badly frayed, exists largely as a slogan. Be it Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, or Trump himself, first in global trade and now in Venezuela, anything goes. Doesn’t matter if it’s illegal, lacking Congressional authorisation at home or UN Security Council sanction abroad. Trump repeatedly claimed, on thin evidence, that the Venezuelan leader was funnelling drugs and criminals into the US. Trump has said the US will “run” the country and that its “broken infrastructure” would be repaired by US oil companies.

Source: Indian Express January 05, 2026 11:50 UTC