FLORIDA – A former Florida National Guard leader said state military units could play a crucial role in Venezuela following the dramatic U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power.
Plus, a former Deputy National Security Advisor said there is potential for an interim government led by Marco Rubio.
The middle-of-the-night operation resulted in Maduro and his wife being transported to New York, where they face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.
“Look at the capability of the DEA in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale. They have a fleet of airplanes, strong DEA leadership, and it’s my understanding they were very involved in this operation in Venezuela,” said Douglas Burnett, former head of Florida’s National Guard. “If we put together what Florida has, yeah, we could respond pretty quickly.”
The operation has sparked both support and protests, with dozens rallying outside Senator Rick Scott’s Jacksonville office, chanting “hands off Venezuela.”
Nancy Soderberg, former Deputy National Security Advisor, highlighted the complex legal and political implications of the operation.
“Do we have the right to overthrow another government? No. Do we have the right to arrest someone that we had a valid warrant against that was threatened in the United States with drugs and narcotraffickers? Yes,” she explained.
Security and Stability Concerns
The sudden power vacuum has raised questions about Venezuela’s immediate future. “Who’s going to provide for security? Who’s controlling the military? What kind of process will lead to a new president?” Soderberg asked, noting discussions about potential interim government solutions.
Burnett emphasized the complexity of the situation, pointing out, “This is a fairly up and running city with 28 million people in the country. So, it’s going to take some strong experience, civilian leadership along with the military, and someone the Venezuelan people will respect.”
Oil and Drug Trafficking Impact
Venezuela’s vast oil reserves add another layer of complexity to the situation. “Venezuela is sitting on the largest reserves in the world. So that could be extraordinarily wealthy. It’s been run into the ground by Chavez and now Maduro,” Soderberg noted.
Regarding drug trafficking, Burnett expressed optimism about the operation’s impact. He cited recent U.S. actions against drug boats, stating, “What are we up to 28 or 30 that we’ve blown right out of the water? I admire and commend President Trump for doing that. No leader before us, before him, has ever sat down and said, we’ve got to stop the flow of drugs.”
Looking Ahead
As the situation continues to develop, questions remain about potential similar operations in other regions and the continued U.S. military presence in Venezuelan waters. Both experts agree that the outcome remains uncertain, with multiple factors potentially influencing Venezuela’s future stability and governance.