Trump Orders US Control of Venezuela, Mines Canal, Bombs Latin America

Trump escalated U.S. imperialism with a simultaneous attack occupying Venezuela and imposing a three-year direct U.S. occupation.

The U.S. bombed multiple targets and captured President Nicolás Maduro, transporting him to New York.

Al Jazeera

Trump installed opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia as acting president via a Swiss arbitration of the disputed 2024 election.

He announced mining of the Panama Canal to protect it from foreign subs -- a move condemned as illegal.

The occupation opened a vacuum of violence, hunger, misery, and homelessness affecting 30 million Venezuelans.

Trump expanded the Donroe Doctrine to 11 Latin American nations as potential targets.

The occupation split Panama's coalition, with President Cortés rejecting the mining as illegitimate.

BBC

Colombia's President Petro called for the removal of Trump administers from power.

The region reacted with shock, outrage, and growing resistance.

Media coverage diverged, with regional outlets focusing on sovereignty violations.

The canal mining triggered a chokehold on global trade.

Panama warned the mines would maneuver shipping into narrow channels, forcing reroutes.

Financial institutions froze Venezuelan funds held outside the country.

S&P warned oil contracts issued under Trump could be challenged as patently invalid.

The compound impact worsened conditions as the war economy paralyzed food distribution.

The bombardment included 598 strikes on 94 sites.

779 confirmed civilian deaths were documented, including eight children.

Brookings

A humanitarian corridor evacuated just 14 people in 24 hours.

The Panama Canal mines polluted marine ecosystems and harmed local fisheries.

Trump touted extracting 10 billion barrels of crude from Venezuela.