The Venezuela adventure is hardly the first time our Great (quasi) Republic has used its military in foreign lands for purposes of exploitation.
It's clear enough, I think, that this is why the incursion took place. The recent pardon of the former president of Honduras for convictions of crimes related to drug trafficking and weapons, similar to charges being made against the Maduros, makes the claim that the incursion was for such crimes less than credible.
In fact, part of the current regime acknowledges that this was all for obtaining access to and control of Venezuela's oil resources, and the country itself if necessary. Another part is somewhat more circumspect, and for the time being denies that control of Venezuela is sought.
But considering our history, exploitation of lands and people has often been our modus operandi. Perhaps the most brazen and long lasting exploitation involved indigenous peoples.
As to our exploitation of other nations, the Mexican-American War, which U.S. Grant, who fought in it, called "one of the most unjust wars ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation" resulted in the acquisition of territory including California, New Mexico and Arizona. Commodore Perry led a fleet to Japan, forcing it to trade with the U.S.
The Spanish-American War, which it seems was fought for no reason except to gain territory in the Caribbean and the Pacific, including the Philippines, prompted Rudyard Kipling to write a poem urging Americans to "take up the white man's burden."
Imperialism probably wasn't the primary reason behind our involvement in WWI and WW2, and the later conflicts in the 20th century, though there's little question that America sought to profit from them when it could.
There's something disturbing, albeit curiously refreshing, in the fact that there has been in this case little effort to disguise the fact greed is behind this incursion. From statements being made by those in power it seems that this greed for territory and resourced motivates the threats being made regarding Greenland and now Columbia.
It remains to be seen whether and to what extent this greed will be satisfied or will result in undesirable deaths and oppression. It also remains to be seen whether Congress or the courts will do anything to stir themselves to challenge unilateral action of the Executive Branch in conquest in the pursuit of economic gain and pursuit of imperial ambitions.
American politics is so corrupt that it's unlikely members of the House or Senate will exert themselves to staunch the flow of money to themselves or those whose money they depend on. As to the courts, the Supreme Court, at least, seems content to let the chips fall where they may.
So...bombs away?
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