Why is Donald Trump against Venezuela?

Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has taken a tougher stance on Venezuela, reversing many of the Biden-era policies that aimed at easing tensions.

1. Crackdown on Maduro’s Regime

Trump reinstated sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector, targeting President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which Trump continues to label as illegitimate and authoritarian. He accuses Maduro of cracking down on opposition figures and undermining democratic processes.

2. Rollback of Biden’s Relaxations

The Biden administration had loosened some sanctions in exchange for democratic commitments from Caracas (like holding free elections), but Trump has reversed this, citing Venezuela’s failure to follow through on those promises.

3. National Security and Anti-Socialism Messaging

Trump is also using Venezuela to amplify his anti-socialist rhetoric, positioning his policies as tough on authoritarian regimes and protecting American interests abroad.

4. Immigration Concerns

He argues that instability in Venezuela leads to increased migrant flows to the U.S., which he frames as a national security issue. As a result, he’s pushing for tighter immigration controls on Venezuelans and others coming from crisis-hit countries.