Trump aides signal tough new US posture after Venezuela operation

The White House under President Donald Trump is embracing a more assertive and force-driven approach to international affairs, signaling a shift in US global strategy. Top aides indicated that the administration intends to leverage US power to influence events abroad, following high-profile operations in Venezuela and warnings to other nations.

“We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else,” Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told CNN on January 5. “But we live in a world, in the real world … that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world.”

Miller added: “We’re a superpower. And under President Trump, we are going to conduct ourselves as a superpower.”

The remarks came amid Trump’s claims of effectively taking control of Venezuela following a daring US special forces operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to a court hearing in New York.

Trump has also threatened further action against other nations, including Colombia, and warned that Mexico must “get their act together.” In addition, he recently pledged that Iran would “get hit very hard” if it moved against protesters.

By Sabina Mammadli