WSJ Editorial Board Says Trump Will 'Lose' If He Doesn't Oust Venezuela's Maduro

The Wall Street Journal's editorial board said President Donald Trump will "lose" if his administration's pressure campaign against the Venezuelan regime doesn't end up with the ousting of Nicolas Maduro.

In an op-ed published on Sunday, the board said that if Maduro manages to stay despite the U.S. sending 25% of the Navy's deployed warships to the area, F-35 fighters and thousands of Marines "merely to blow up drug boats," he will have won.

Considering the issue's standing in the geopolitical scenario, recalling the flotilla means the "world will see that he was able to stand up to American power in the Yankee's backyard." Moreover, countries in the region that have actively sided with the U.S., like Trinidad and Tobago, could "become new targets for Cuban disruption" considering the country's influence in the Caracas regime.

In this context, if Maduro doesn't leave as a result of the administration's ramped up rhetoric and threats, Trump "may have to take direct military action to oust the dictator," the borad added, noting that "if this includes special forces raids or other boots on the ground, American casualties are possible."

"This is a much higher domestic political risk than cruise missile strikes or B-2 bomber raids. All the more so when Mr. Trump's isolationist base is braying that he promised to end wars, not start them. He'll also get no help from Democrats," reads a passage of the op-ed.

Despite the risk, the board said its members think that "deposing Mr. Maduro is in the U.S. national interest given how he has spread refugees and mayhem in the region," and that "no one should think this would be an American 'coup.'"

However, it warned that it isn't "clear how the Venezuelan military would respond to U.S. intervention" and expressed hope that the "CIA is working the case well for a change," noting that Trump "would have to be prepared in any case to help the new government defend itself."

"If Mr. Maduro flees and the democrats take over, it will be a giant step for freedom in the region. Would the Cuban people rise up against their dictators next?" the board claimed. However, it warned that if Maduro refuses to leave and Trump doesn't act, his and the U.S.'s "credibility will be the losers."

"Mr. Trump chose this showdown, and it will cost America and the region dearly if Mr. Maduro emerges triumphant," the board concluded.

• GOP Senator Rejects Idea of U.S. Strikes on Venezuelan Soil: 'We're Not Going to Put Troops There'
• Maduro Reportedly Offered Free Elections In Exchange For Keeping Control Of The Armed Forces; Trump Said No

© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.