The White House has confirmed a US air strike in Venezuela killed a top leader of the Tren de Aragua gang. Donald Trump, ever the showman, claimed it as a personal victory. But sources in the lobby tell me this was a carefully planned operation, greenlit months ago, not a spur-of-the-moment triumph.
The target: a shadowy figure known only as 'El Zarco,' believed to be the gang's chief of operations. The strike hit a compound near Caracas. Intelligence suggests he was meeting with local officials. Collateral damage? Unclear. The State Department is staying tight-lipped.
For Trump, this is a gift. A chance to look tough on crime without the usual political blowback. His base loves it. 'We got the bad guy,' he said in a brief statement. But the inside game is more cynical. This is about distraction. A shiny object to throw before the press while the administration struggles with a flailing economy.
Behind the scenes, there's tension. The Pentagon is uneasy. This was a covert action, and now it's front-page news. Some military brass worry about retaliation. Others fret about the precedent. 'We can't just pop people in sovereign nations,' one senior officer muttered to me over a pint.
On the Hill, reactions are split. Republicans are rallying round. But a few mavericks are asking awkward questions. Did the operation adhere to rules of engagement? Were there diplomatic alternatives? They're being ignored, for now.
The real story, though, is what this does to US-Venezuela relations. Maduro will use this. He'll paint Trump as a 'cowboy, a terrorist.' Expect a furious response. Perhaps a rallying of anti-US sentiment across Latin America.
Inside the White House, there's a war room feel. Trump's handlers are feeding him lines. His national security team is briefing allies. But the leaks tell a different tale: this was a gamble, and they're holding their breath.
For now, the polls may bump. Trump looks 'presidential.' But the game is long. This story has legs. Watch for a congressional inquiry. Watch for more leaks. And watch Caracas. The Tren de Aragua will not go quietly.
David Cameron, a man who knows about unintended consequences, would tell you: 'Be careful what you wish for.'
