The United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flown him out of the country in a stunning military operation that plucked a sitting leader from office following months of escalating Trump administration pressure on the oil-rich South American nation.
The thing is those are all threats people involved in diplomacy can rationalise away as public image stuff and not take seriously. Like don’t get me wrong, it’s going to have them on alert, but it’s not a bridge burning yet.
This is a physical act with no other interpretation. The US invaded a country and kidnapped its leader. This is a burnt bridge.
Some will, but most will see this as confirmation he will act illegally rather than just threaten to. i.e. an escalation of threat from before this happened.
Diplomatic suicide with the world happened many months ago, were you sleeping? Threatening Canada, Greenland, who else?
The thing is those are all threats people involved in diplomacy can rationalise away as public image stuff and not take seriously. Like don’t get me wrong, it’s going to have them on alert, but it’s not a bridge burning yet.
This is a physical act with no other interpretation. The US invaded a country and kidnapped its leader. This is a burnt bridge.
But not OUR bridge, can any other diplomat rationalize?
Some will, but most will see this as confirmation he will act illegally rather than just threaten to. i.e. an escalation of threat from before this happened.
They’re still kissing the ring.