Farewell, forever wars, hello empire? The week that changed the world
CNN••world
Key Points:
- In January 1899, the USS Wilmington undertook a gunboat diplomacy mission to Venezuela, showcasing military power and exploring commercial interests, reflecting a historical pattern of US coercive foreign policy.
- President Donald Trump's recent actions, including the raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and interest in acquiring Greenland, evoke memories of past US imperialism such as gunboat diplomacy, the Banana Wars, and colonial interventions.
- The US Navy's historical role in protecting American business interests abroad, exemplified by the Yangtze Patrol in China and military actions in Central America, parallels Trump's explicit statements about using and taking Venezuelan oil for economic benefit.
- Criticism of US foreign policy as driven by corporate interests rather than democratic ideals dates back to figures like
