Let's talk about which countries are next for Trump's Banana Wars.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Trump's next operations and how it isn't over.

In a recent video, I said this wasn't going to end with Venezuela. From the Trump administration perspective, it was easy. They get to pretend like they accomplished something even though it appears that the Maduro government is still pretty well in control. Because of that, the administration will feel emboldened. It didn't take long for them to start using Venezuela to suggest other countries are next. It happened before much of the American public really understands what occurred with Maduro.

In very short order, the Trump administration implied that US military action could occur in multiple countries. Again, the Banana Wars is plural for a reason. Every potential engagement will be about economics and freeing up the countries for US investment. And I'll give an example, but it's never just one thing when it comes to economic interests.

So, running through the list, Trump suggested US action in Mexico when he implied the president wasn't really running the country and said, "We could be politically correct and be nice and say, oh yeah, she is." She is very frightened of the cartels. They're running Mexico. I've asked her numerous times, "Would you like us to take out the cartels?" "No, no, no, Mr. President. No, no, no, please." So, we have to do something. Trump seems unaware or unwilling to acknowledge that US demand is what keeps them in business. Mexico recently passed legislation nationalizing some rare earth development.

Trump also threatened Colombia when he was talking about the president there. He said, "He's making cocaine. They're sending it into the US. So he does have to watch his rear.” He didn't say rear. Colombia is another country that has significant energy related natural resources and while it hasn't nationalized rare earth development, it's developing policies to manage them as strategic resources.

US Secretary of State Rubio said, "If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I'd be concerned at least a little bit." Meanwhile, Trump said, "I think Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about." While Cuba has natural resources to develop, in this case, Trump mentioned that he wanted to help people who were forced out of Cuba and now living in the US. So, the economic interest here is probably closer to trying to regain US business footholds, much like the US objective in opening up Venezuela's nationalized oil industry.

So by their own words, the US is considering at least three more military engagements with at least two of those explicitly being about regime change. Reminder, we still don't even know if Venezuela was actually a success. It's unclear at this point if Congress and the American people will go along with Trump's plans, but the US is at a crossroads that very well may shape American foreign policy for decades to come.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.