The U.S. military’s lightning raid on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at the dawn of 2026, underscores President Trump’s dual-track foreign policy: iron fist against foes, olive branch for conflicts. Yet, this triumph may sabotage his pledge to end the Russia-Ukraine war in record time and bag a Nobel Peace Prize, according to top insights.
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton dissected the dilemma in a revealing discussion. ‘Russia supported Trump effectively in Ukraine early on,’ he observed. ‘But no settlement will satisfy Ukrainians. Trump, craving that Nobel, faces parties too divided. He’ll probably pull back from pushing a deal, mirroring past patterns.’
On Venezuela, Bolton framed the strike as a clarion call. ‘Maduro’s government long tormented its people while hosting threats from Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba,’ he said. Venezuela’s oil bounty—larger than Saudi Arabia’s—fuels this menace. Russia deems it a secure base, farther than Cuba from Florida, and props up Havana with cheap oil.
China gobbles 80% of exports, coveting infrastructure amid vast reserves. Iran’s biggest embassy worldwide in Caracas tracks Hezbollah, launders oil profits illegally, and eyes uranium stockpiles. This nexus erodes stability in the Western Hemisphere, endangering the U.S. directly.
Trump’s action delivers a potent signal: America liberates the oppressed and counters expansionists. However, it casts a shadow over Ukraine talks. With adversaries emboldened or alienated, Trump’s swift-peace narrative frays. Bolton’s assessment rings clear: the Nobel quest demands more than bravado amid entrenched divides.