OTTAWA — Foreign policy experts say Canada should move quickly to co-ordinate with other nations in the Western Hemisphere following the United States’ military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. action, which followed months of airstrikes on Venezuelan vessels Washington says were involved in drug trafficking, has raised alarm among governments and analysts across the region about the direction of U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
Max Cameron, a professor at University of British Columbia who specializes in Latin American politics, said the operation could mark the first major test of Washington’s new national security strategy. That strategy emphasizes greater U.S. control and influence across North and South America.
Cameron said Canada should proactively engage with countries that have recently been threatened by the Trump administration — either through talk of military action or territorial acquisition — including Mexico, Panama, Cuba and Greenland.
“Ottawa should be working with like-minded governments to develop a common strategy to defend national sovereignty and international norms,” Cameron said.
He also argued Canada could play a constructive role in helping Venezuela move toward democratic restoration, warning that political instability and violence could escalate if there is no credible, peaceful transition process following Maduro’s removal.
David Carment, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University, said Canada should seek immediate clarity from Washington on its intentions in Venezuela and the broader region.
Carment said uncertainty over the U.S. endgame — including how long American involvement might last and what form a transition would take — risks further destabilizing the hemisphere.
“The lack of clear objectives makes it difficult for allies to assess the consequences and respond appropriately,” he said.
As global reaction continues to unfold, experts say Canada faces growing pressure to balance its alliance with the United States while working with regional partners to uphold sovereignty, stability and democratic principles in the Americas.