What's in it for the US to "take" Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, Greenland & the Panama Canal?
US President Donald Trump’s decision to send US forces into Venezuela to seize President Nicolás Maduro and his wife has turned once‑dismissed campaign rhetoric into a disruptive new phase of US foreign policy. The raid, carried out without UN Security Council authorisation and justified in Washington as a blow against drug trafficking and dictatorship, is widely criticised by legal experts as a breach of the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force and a dangerous precedent for international relations.
Maduro’s capture has opened a power vacuum, with acting leadership operating under intense domestic pressure and under Trump’s assertion that the United States will "run" Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" is in place.
The intervention is also reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Americas and global energy politics. By signalling that US companies will repair and control Venezuela’s oil sector and oversee exports, Washington has effectively undermined Beijing’s broader ambitions in the region, including around the strategically important Panama Canal.
Meanwhile, Trump’s escalating threats toward Mexico, Colombia, Canada, and even Greenland suggest that Venezuela may be a template rather than a one‑off military action.
Public talk of striking cartels in Mexico and Colombia, pressuring Canada to accept deeper US dominance, and reviving ideas of acquiring or seizing Greenland alarms allies and fuels concern that off‑the‑cuff remarks could foreshadow real uses of force.
Legal scholars and diplomats warn that such unilateral military actions and cross‑border abductions of leaders test the limits of international law on sovereignty, non‑intervention, and head‑of‑state immunity, and could normalise behaviour that others might imitate. How far can a single state stretch the rules on the use of force before they cease to have meaning in practice? If unilateral action becomes the norm, what mechanisms—if any—remain to hold powerful countries accountable when they violate international law? What do military actions such as this mean for people in the APAC region?
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The Economic Club encourages participants to discuss from an economic angle, a social perspective, or to share geopolitical insights. Beyond the suggested articles, we encourage all participants to choose a recent article and share why they find the piece informative.
Join us at the Social Room on Tuesday January 13th at 7pm.
Meet the team and fellow members at 3/F, Won Hing Building, 74-78 Stanley St, Central.
Come grab a drink and be prepared to share your insights!
Thanks to Social Room for opening up the venue free of charge, we recommend that you buy a drink as a token of appreciation.
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Suggested reading:
Axios - Mapped: The countries Trump is threatening — and why
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/07/trump-venezuela-greenland-countries-threatsLe Monde - US attack on Venezuela: What does international law say?
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/01/05/us-attack-on-venezuela-what-does-international-law-say_6749108_4.html (https://archive.ph/TecNj)Asia Sentinel - Maduro Arrest Likely Thwarts China’s Panama Canal Plans
https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/maduro-arrest-thwarts-china-panama-canal-plansPolitico - Where Trump could strike next
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/06/where-trump-could-strike-next-00711120BBC - Who's in charge of Venezuela and what happens next?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmlz7r0zrxoGerman Marshall Fund (GMF) - If China Attacks Taiwan
https://www.gmfus.org/news/if-china-attacks-taiwan
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Format:
Part 1: Reading. The first 30 minutes are dedicated to silent reading, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the topics at hand.
Part 2: Discussion. We will form small groups to foster a dynamic and comprehensive exchange of ideas and insights. In lieu of a keynote speaker, the richness of our conversation will be propelled by the collective knowledge and engagement of attendees. A commitment to punctuality, preparation and respect for all participants is crucial.
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