Economists and foreign policy experts react to Trump's Venezuela raid
2026-01-04T05:02:02.460Z
- Donald Trump's claim of capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday sparked a range of reactions from business figures and foreign policy analysts.
- Some experts see potential economic opportunities in Maduro's removal, while others warn of escalating global conflict.
President Donald Trump's announcement of a US raid in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, has set off a wave of reactions from prominent figures in business and foreign policy. Here's a breakdown of their diverse perspectives:
Charles Myers, Political Risk Consultant:
Myers, the chairman of Signum Global Advisors, emphasizes the potential for foreign investment in Venezuela's oil, tourism, and construction sectors to drive the country's financial recovery. He predicts rapid economic growth, stating, 'The country's economy will grow faster over the next two years than people anticipate due to the scale of foreign investment.' Myers is organizing a trip for investors to explore these opportunities in March, mirroring his previous initiatives in Syria and Ukraine.
Ian Bremmer, Political Risk Expert:
Bremmer, the founder of Eurasia Group, expresses skepticism about the US's assumption that Venezuelan leaders will now comply with American demands. He humorously illustrates this point with a drawing of a horse, where the US special operations forces mission is depicted as a detailed hindquarter, while the future of Venezuela is shown as a crude children's drawing. Bremmer warns, 'The law of the jungle is dangerous. What applies to your enemies can apply to you.'
Bill Ackman, Hedge Fund Manager:
Ackman, a billionaire hedge fund manager, links Maduro's removal to lower oil prices, benefiting the US and harming Russia. He suggests that a weaker Russian economy could lead to a quicker and more favorable end to the Ukraine war. Ackman concludes, 'Putin will be sleeping in his safe room from this point on.'
Henry Gao, International Law Scholar:
Gao, a senior fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation and law professor, argues that the raid on Caracas marks a significant moment in international law. He states, 'Maduro's capture has triggered the biggest revival of international law since Grotius.' Gao also highlights the potential for China to use the Venezuela operation as a precedent, despite its internal stance on Taiwan.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Democratic Senator:
Warren, a former Harvard Law professor, criticizes Trump's action as unconstitutional, warning of potential US involvement in further conflicts in the region. She questions the implications of US control over Venezuela and Trump's future global actions, stating, 'The American people voted for lower costs, not Trump's military adventurism.'
Elon Musk, Tech Entrepreneur:
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, expressed support for Trump's actions, tweeting, 'Heartwarming to see Venezuelans celebrating their country freed from a brutal tyrant.' He retweeted an image of Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, captioned, 'Congratulations, President Trump! A win for the world.' Musk's relationship with Trump has been complex, marked by periods of closeness and public disagreements.
