Donald Trump’s seemingly reckless and probably illegal attempt at regime change in Venezuela highlights the need for New Zealand to rethink its current stance toward the United States.

Since taking office, the National-led coalition government has steadily reoriented foreign policy towards Washington. However, the US military operation of January 3 to capture President Nicolás Maduro has exposed the very real limitations of that strategy.

Trump’s intervention in Venezuela had been foreshadowed by a military buildup and series of deadly US attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September 2025.

But Trump now openly talks about US companies participating in the revival of the country’s oil industry, which will allow access to the world’s largest known oil reserves.

The US will “run” Venezuela, Trump says, until there are conditions for a “safe transition of power”. What that means in reality remains to be seen.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ statement that New Zealand “expects all parties to act........

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