Author: La Tabla/Plataforma de Periodismo de Datos 1 DEC 2025
More than 100 days into the naval blockade in the Caribbean, The Wall Street Journal has published an opinion piece that acts as a warning to the U.S. government: if tangible results are not achieved against Nicolás Maduro’s regime, U.S. foreign policy will be left exposed and weakened in Latin America.
📌 Confrontation Without Resolution
– The article starts with a strong premise: Donald Trump chose a direct confrontation scenario with Maduro, where only one can prevail.
– In this context, the deployment of vessels in the Caribbean—designed as an initial pressure tactic—has not produced visible effects on the Venezuelan government, which remains steadfast and uncompromising.
– Maduro’s resistance, rather than eroding, has put into question the U.S. ability to translate its narrative into concrete outcomes.
⚠️ Editorial Warning
– The WSJ text does not explicitly call for ground military action, but warns that time is running out for Washington.
– If a clear resolution isn’t achieved, Maduro could emerge stronger, projecting an image of defiance against the American superpower.
– Consequently, the credibility of the U.S. as a hemispheric actor would be compromised, undermining its influence in Latin America and its narrative against organized crime.
🧩 Strategic Context
– The Trump administration has crafted a narrative linking the Venezuelan regime to drug trafficking and regional threats.
– The article points out that maintaining naval operations without concrete results erodes that narrative, turning the deployment into a symbolic gesture.
– In this sense, the WSJ argues that Washington must increase pressure and obtain visible results in the short term, or risk losing the momentum it initiated itself.
📍 Conclusion
The Wall Street Journal’s publication serves as a strategic editorial warning: if the U.S. fails to make tangible advances against Maduro, the confrontation initiated by Trump could resolve in favor of the Venezuelan regime. The article emphasizes that U.S. foreign policy is at stake, and the outcome will have lasting implications for its position in Latin America and its global credibility.