Venezuela just proves he's willing to do anything for his own fragile ego, even if it means starting World War III. Never underestimate amoral idiots, that's how so much of Europe ended up occupied by Nazi Germany.

Holy cow. Even Cuba admits it lost 32 of their best guys.

I thought the US was exempt from meeting that goal, mostly because they have a solid defense unlike most other NATO members

No, only Spain is exempt from the goal. 

Venezuela is a very different situation from Canada though. This 'regime change' has been in the works for many years with many factors having driven it this far. The people behind overthrowing Venezuela found Trump willing to actually do it.

And follow the money:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/paul-singer-venezuela

Paul Singer is also a big supporter of Israel, staunch Zionist, while Maduro signed onto the ICJ genocide case against Israel and has been openly very anti-Zionist. Next to mocking Trump. 

So we have the Venezuelan oil, billionaires have been drooling over for decades, a dictator that has been in power since 2013 who has become a liability to the US and Israel and Trump looking for an easy win and another price for his ego. There have been many wealthy Venezuelans from Florida supporting this coup with Machado leading the push, dedicating her Nobel 'peace' price to Trump. (Meanwhile Machado has little popular support in Venezuela)

Yeah his ego might want Canada, but there is little traction among MAGA to actually go invade Canada. MAGA is split already over Venezuela.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5673779-conservative-concerns-trump-venezuela/

Plus he isn't really anywhere yet with Venezuela, regime change hasn't happened yet and the country is now uniting behind getting Maduro back...
(mainstream news will have you believing otherwise, they're talking to those that fled the country)


Yeah Trump could take Carney, then what.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/american-invasion-of-canada-would-spark-decades-long-insurgency-expert-predicts/

Canadians already 'rally behind the flag' from Trump's threats alone. The conservatives lost a 30 point lead because of Trump, tourism to the US is way down, Canadians are boycotting US products.

Trump would have to occupy Canada with boots on the ground, let's first see what happens next with Venezuela. Canada is over 10x the size of Venezuela as well. Trump sees what Putin trying to take Ukraine is costing Russia, Canadians will fight back as well. 

Venezuela will show him countries don't just roll over.

Thanks to trump:

All others countries surrendered and will ask 15% of their multinationals (if they already didn't) this is a big + for USA and its multinationals and will make USA place 1 to invest.

Arguably it's a great move from Trump though for USA. His whole slogan is America first, so this is at least in line of what to expect from a Republican President.

Biden didn't think Trump would go after Maduro either.

This is because they're going to need their military and defense beefed up like this if the USA isn't there defending them in the future for whatever reason. Like if the USA makes moves that cause the EU to want to distance itself from America.

I wasn't saying the EU is totally screwed without the USA. The EU would need to beef up their military further and be prepared to fight more because Putin/Russia and others are no doubt going to plan to aim at the EU in the future in a world where America isn't heavily allied with them anymore.

I also wouldn't assume Putin would try some all out war with the EU. He/Russia, with the help of others, very well might keep chipping away at the Eastern portion of the EU if America (and Canada) isn't there to back them up.

And ya, if the USA really wants Canada it won't be much of a fight, especially if they have Greenland. Their navy could easily blockade all coming and going ship traffic which would put us in a considerable bind. Then all they have to do is blockade the land border and that's that. Easier said than done since we trade so much with them, but still totally doable if they're willing to do what's necessary to achieve that goal.