The Limits of Trump’s Regime Capture Strategy from Venezuela to Cuba

The Trump administration has reinstated regime change as a key foreign policy tool following the successful capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While this "regime capture" strategy is being attempted elsewhere, its replicability is doubtful, and the stated goals in Venezuela, like economic stabilization and democratization, are unlikely to be met. The analysis suggests the primary, albeit less overt, objective of this strategy is to instigate regime collapse in Cuba by cutting off its crucial supply of subsidized Venezuelan fuel. This approach is presented as the result of a faction-driven policy process aiming for short-term wins rather than a cohesive long-term strategy. Ultimately, the co-optation of Venezuela is framed as a means to dismantle the Cuban regime.