US Military Operation in Venezuela: What is Monroe Doctrine?

The United States launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro, escalating from sanctions to force and intensifying debates on sovereignty and order.

About the U.S. Operation Against Venezuela

Absolute Resolve: The United States special forces (Delta Force) launched Operation ‘Absolute Resolve’ in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Law Enforcement: The Trump administration classified the mission as a ‘law enforcement operation’ to address imminent and urgent threats to U.S. national security.
Judicial Objective: The operation aimed at the forcible judicial extraction of Nicolás Maduro to secure his appearance at the 2020 narco-terrorism trial in the Southern District Court of New York.

Strategic Factors Behind U.S Military Action in Venezuela

Migration Crisis: The economic collapse under Maduro forced more than 1 million Venezuelans to cross the U.S. southern border illegally.
Energy Control: Venezuela’s world’s largest proven oil reserves attract interest from United States companies in infrastructure repair and oil extraction.
Don-roe Doctrine: The operation sought to reassert the Monroe Doctrine and counter the growing influence of China, Russia, and Iran in the Western Hemisphere.
Strategic Deterrence: It demonstrated the U.S.’s willingness to conduct high-risk decapitation strikes to protect its strategic interests.
Regime Change: Washington rejected Maduro’s legitimacy after the disputed 2024 elections and supported Edmundo González as the rightful president.

Monroe Doctrine

Doctrine Origin: The Monroe Doctrine is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, first articulated by President James Monroe in his 1823 speech to Congress.
Colonisation Ban: Under the doctrine, any European attempt to colonise or interfere in the Western Hemisphere was considered an ‘unfriendly disposition’ towards the U.S.
Dual Spheres: It asserted that European and American political systems are distinct and should remain separate.
US Restraint: The United States pledged non-intervention in the internal affairs of European nations or their existing colonies.
European Restraint: European interference in newly independent Latin American states was deemed a direct threat to U.S. peace and security.
Roosevelt Corollary: In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the doctrine, asserting U.S. intervention against ‘chronic wrongdoing’ in Latin American countries.
Trump Corollary: The 2025 National Security Strategy reasserted U.S. primacy in the Western Hemisphere to counter drug trafficking, migration, China, and Russia.

Global Strategic Implications

Legal Erosion: Unilateral interventions bypass UN mechanisms, weakening sovereignty norms. E.g., U.S. maritime quarantine on Venezuela.
Energy Volatility: Oil supply disruptions raise global prices, hurting import-dependent states like, India.
Multipolar Stress: Sphere-of-influence politics constrain emerging powers. E.g., Monroe Doctrine revival in Latin America.
Hybrid Precedent: Sanctions fused with force normalise coercive power projection. E.g., financial sanctions plus naval interdictions.

Implications for India

Energy Security: Venezuelan supply disruptions raise crude prices, affecting India, which imports ~85% of its oil.
Strategic Autonomy: Unilateral U.S. actions pressure India to balance partnerships without bloc alignment. E.g., India’s neutral stance on Venezuela.
Trade Risk: Secondary sanctions threaten Indian firms operating abroad. E.g., ONGC Videsh’s curtailed investments in Venezuela.
Legal Precedent: Extraterritorial enforcement weakens sovereignty norms vital for India.
Global South: Coercive regime-change politics marginalise developing countries’ voices. E.g., the limited UN role in the Venezuelan crisis.

Way Forward

Energy Diversification: Reduce vulnerability by diversifying sourcing from Africa, the Americas, and renewable energy sources.
Normative Diplomacy: Consistently uphold sovereignty and international law at UN forums. E.g., India’s emphasis on peaceful dialogue.
Strategic Balancing: Maintain ties with major powers while avoiding bloc politics. E.g., multi-alignment across QUAD, BRICS and SCO.
Risk Hedging: Protect Indian firms from secondary sanctions through legal safeguards and alternative payment mechanisms. E.g., rupee trade frameworks.
Global South Leadership: Build coalitions against unilateral coercion. E.g., India’s G20 presidency focuses on inclusive multilateralism.

The U.S. operation in Venezuela highlights shifting global power dynamics; as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.” For India, it reinforces the need for strategic autonomy, energy security, and leadership in a stable, rules-based world order.

Reference: The Indian Express

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 493

Q. The growing preference for unilateral interventions highlights the weakening of multilateralism in global governance. Examine the causes of this shift and analyse its implications for global diplomacy. (150 Words) (10 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Write a brief introduction about the growing preference for unilateral interventions, and also mention the U.S. operation in Venezuela.
Body: Write the causes for the shift from multilateralism to unilateral interventions and their implications for global diplomacy.
Conclusion: Emphasis on inclusive and multilateral diplomacy to establish a rules-based world.

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