Former Ambassador Gordon Sondland Urges U.S. to Complete Venezuela Mission After Maduro Ouster
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland has called on the United States to maintain its commitment in Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro, emphasizing that the initial intervention was necessary to prevent adversarial powers from gaining control over the world’s largest oil reserves. In a recent commentary, Sondland credited former President Donald Trump with demonstrating the “courage, clarity and decisive leadership” needed to oust Maduro, describing the move as a critical step to protect American interests and stabilize the region.
“Leaving Maduro in place would not only have condemned millions more Venezuelans to hunger, repression and exile — it also would have handed Russia, China and Iran a permanent beachhead in our own hemisphere and privileged access to the world’s largest oil reserves,” Sondland wrote.
The former ambassador underscored that Venezuela under Maduro was not merely a failed state but a “criminal authoritarian state” intertwined with narco-traffickers, Cuban intelligence, corrupt military officials, and ideological militants. He warned that Russia and China had been steadily entrenching themselves within Venezuela’s economy and security apparatus, with China acting as a banker and sanctions evader, and Russia embedding itself in military and energy sectors.
According to Sondland, allowing these powers to solidify their influence would have had far-reaching consequences beyond humanitarian concerns, including long-term geopolitical leverage over regional politics and global energy markets. He cautioned that Moscow would likely seek to re-establish a military presence, including bomber deployments and naval access, while Beijing would pursue dual-use ports, intelligence platforms, and surveillance capabilities tied to energy resources.
This perspective aligns with assessments from the U.S. Department of State, which has long expressed concerns about foreign influence in Latin America. The Department of Energy also highlights Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as a strategic asset, underscoring the importance of stable governance in the region.
While the removal of Maduro was swift, Sondland warned that governing Venezuela and securing a Western-aligned future would be a complex and prolonged endeavor. He urged the Biden administration and Congress to sustain diplomatic and economic efforts to ensure Venezuela does not revert to authoritarianism or fall under hostile foreign control.
The U.S. has previously implemented sanctions and supported opposition leaders in Venezuela, but the recent decisive action marks a significant shift in policy. Experts from the Central Intelligence Agency have noted the strategic implications of Venezuela’s oil reserves and the risks posed by adversarial powers establishing footholds in the Western Hemisphere.
Sondland’s call to action highlights the broader challenge facing U.S. foreign policy: balancing immediate security interests with long-term regional stability. As the U.S. navigates this complex landscape, the international community watches closely, recognizing that Venezuela’s future will have lasting impacts on global energy markets and geopolitical alignments.
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