The Trump Administration is escalating war threats in Venezuela. Officials claim that the goal is to curb the drug trade. Critics contend that the real aim is regime change. These may be secondary aims. A more noble aim might be to promote democracy in Venezuela. However, the most likely impact of President Donald Trump’s approach to a potential war in Venezuela will be consolidated power, and Republican coalition management, at home.

A key part of Trump’s electoral coalition is fraying. Mass deportations are causing buyers’ remorse among Florida Cubans and Venezuelans who voted for Trump. While popular across his MAGA movement, mass deportations have shocked many Latino Trump voters ; they likely never thought deportations would be so massive.

The drumbeat of war in Venezuela

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