Since the early 1800’s, the United States has repeatedly found itself involved in the affairs of South American nations. This involvement dates back to 1823 when the Monroe Doctrine was declared. The interventionist declaration stated that anyone who made themselves an enemy of a nation on the American continents also made enemies with the United States of America. While this declaration was first issued in 1823, it has become a fixture of American foreign policy throughout the decades since its issuance. In 1898, the Spanish American war erupted due to the Americans claiming that Cuba demanded its freedom. Thus, the Americans sought to back the Cubans for this reason among others. Even in more recent times, the United States has continually referenced this 1800’s proclamation. Under the Reagan Administration involvement in El Salvador and Nicaragua was justified because of this very declaration. While the Monroe Doctrine was thought to finally have been decommissioned under the Obama Administration, President Trump has made moves that appear to signify the Monroe Doctrine is back into the field of play within U.S. Foreign Policy. In one such case, the stakes are very high. Venezuela, a nation in complete turmoil at the hands of decades of  socialist rule by Hugo Chavez and now Nicolas Maduro has found itself fighting an internal battle between the more democratic National Assembly and the Government. Meanwhile nations around the world have been busy picking sides and issuing warnings to the other sides. The United States like many other nations has gotten involved by backing the National Assembly leader Jose Guaido. While many other nations are limited in what support they can render within Venezuela, the controversy of the situation has taken a firm root in the United States because of the potential for further U.S. involvement.

Since Donald Trump’s backing of Guaido, many within the United States and Abroad have been speculating and arguing about the potential effects of further involvement in the crisis. The argument of those advocating for involvement is that we should support the Venezuelan people in their efforts to form a more democratic government. Additionally, many argue that a friendly government in Venezuela would be better for the United States, especially since the nation is rich in Oil. Thus, many argue that the United States would be justified in utilizing military force in Venezuela similarly to the use of military force in Syria. Despite this argument many on the opposition claim that the United States should not be involved at all. Additionally, they use Syria as an example of a failed military intervention. Moreover, the complex nature of the politics within Venezuela may make military action even more complicated. Many within the Venezuelan Military still support Maduro who was the successor of the revered leader Hugo Chavez. While there still is support for Maduro in the military, many also support Guaido. To make things even more complicated, Venezuela boasts armed militias with 1.6 million people within them. Thus, the nation is heavily armed and capable of waging a deadly civil war. Perhaps even more dangerous is the international link each side has. Maduro’s socialist government is supported by Russia, China, and many other adversaries of the United States. Guaido’s side is supported by the likes of Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Thus, the whole situation appears to be a powder keg ready to explode.

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Still, the issue remains as to what the United States should do if it does not involve itself militarily. There are worries that a further destabilized Venezuela could lead to destabilization of the region. While the argument may be made that this is near inevitable, the reality of the situation does put pressure on the United States to act in some way. As leaders in the world many nations currently are looking to the United States for leadership in this current situation just as they have in numerous other conflicts globally since the end of the second world war. Thus, many are calling for a different kind of American leadership in negotiations rather than military strikes. Some claim that coordination among neighboring nations in negotiations of the nations future may be able to put enough pressure on the nation to solve things peacefully. Still, the nation remains split as the majority support democracy while most of the military supports the socialist regime. Thus, it appears that this option is very fragile and may even be futile already as the situation has already escalated to a point where violence seems inevitable.

Overall, the world is very divided on the issue of Venezuela. Whether the United States chooses to involve itself further in the nation will remain to be seen. Debate over the course of action will continue to rage on. In the end it appears that the issues of Venezuela will not be contained within its own borders for much longer.