Trump’s decision to take Maduro was the right call, and most of the outrage is aimed at the wrong target. This wasn’t really about drugs, no matter how many headlines frame it that way. It was about power, energy, and preventing China and Russia from locking down one of the largest oil reserves on the planet right in our backyard. Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Letting hostile governments control that supply isn’t compassion or diplomacy. It’s negligence.

China already buys roughly a quarter of Venezuela’s oil, and Russia has spent years using energy dependence as a pressure weapon everywhere from Europe to the Middle East. Cutting that off weakens their leverage and strengthens ours. That’s not reckless. That’s basic national security math. Funny how the same people who obsess over foreign interference suddenly go quiet when China and Russia are the ones benefiting.

As for the operation itself, it was executed exactly how a modern military action should be. Fast. Decisive. Focused. No prolonged fighting, no chaos, no American lives wasted for political theater. Clear objective, overwhelming force, and then it was over. That’s what competence looks like, even if it upsets people who think every use of force should come with a press conference and a feelings check.

You can debate long-term consequences, and that’s fair. But calling this impulsive or sloppy doesn’t hold up. Denying adversaries critical resources, acting with speed and precision, and avoiding mission creep is not warmongering. It’s disciplined use of power. You don’t have to like Trump’s tone to admit this decision was strategically sound.