Trump can crush the foundations of three dictatorships in three months

These are not usual endless wars or regime-change operations. Yet through them, President Trump is changing the entire geopolitical architecture of the 21st century.

The first three months of this year seem to be defining the next three decades in Latin America and the world. In record time, Trump made moves to crush the foundations of the dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba and Iran, thus consolidating the model of Peace Through Strength.

On Jan. 3, the U.S. announced the extraction of Nicolás Maduro through Operation Absolute Resolve. The action far surpassed Panama’s Operation Just Cause against Noriega. Without U.S. casualties, with precision and with a plan for entry and exit, Operation Absolute Resolve made clear a new paradigm. It is not about regime-change but about a new model of negotiation, using deterrent power to bring about change in matters of security, prosperity and democracy.

The capture of Maduro was not an invasion. It did not leave a country in chaos or confusion. Rather, it simply beheaded a regime and demonstrated U.S. determination and military superiority. All this happened in one day.

The myths about the strength of Russia’s air defense systems and China’s radars crumbled. The operational advantages of the U.S. were clear against a system that neither heard nor saw the attack coming, much less repelled it.

The suggestion for a peaceful takeover of Cuba is another example of the strategy of Peace Through Strength. The U.S. imposed an oil blockade against the island, and within weeks, the dictatorship yielded and accepted the pursuit of negotiations.

Trump is achieving in Cuba what President Kennedy could not during the missile crisis or with the Bay of Pigs invasion. Without firing a single shot, he is bringing the oldest and most powerful dictatorship in Latin America to its knees.

With Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. immediately eliminated 49 of the most vicious Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in just one day. It is a precise and tactical operation to level the playing field and ensure that the Iranian people fight and win their own battle for freedom.

Trump is breaking with the pattern of endless wars, instead carrying out targeted, surgical operations. In Iran, the goal is to destroy ballistic missile capabilities, annihilate the navy and ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump will also work to prevent the regime from continuing to arm, finance, and direct international terrorist activities.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth put it bluntly: “We are not defenders anymore, we are warriors, trained to kill the enemy and break their will.” The U.S. is playing offense, not defense, preventing attacks and not reacting when it is too late.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was even more emphatic: “The hardest hits are yet to come” in the Iran conflict, he said. The second phase “will be even more punishing.” He also noted that the attacks will continue until Iran is prevented from using ballistic missiles against its neighbors and U.S. bases in the region.

After the Iranian regime, China is the biggest loser in Operation Epic Fury. Beijing has already lost Venezuela’s oil and will soon lose Iran’s. A report by the Wall Street Journal states that 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil goes to China — 1.6 million barrels a day.

The U.S. seeks to eliminate present and future threats on the global stage. It is not seeking to gain like-minded friends but rather allies with whom it can work in a pragmatic, secure, stable and mutually beneficial relationship.

Using strength to leverage peace is the perfect negotiating tool with dictatorships that do not respect international law or human rights. With Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. is gaining the respect of both friends and adversaries.

The other major message Trump is sending is directed at China and Russia. The U.S. is back and remains the hegemonic power, with the greatest operational capabilities and tactical resources for war.

The U.S. operations in Venezuela and Iran demonstrate a new paradigm. Trump is not seeking an endless war or traditional regime-change. He is changing the entire geopolitical architecture of the 21st century, assuming the U.S. role as a world superpower and guaranteeing peace through strength.

Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the Organization of American States, and a former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. He is an alumnus of the National Defense University’s Security and Defense Seminar and the Harvard Leadership course.

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