In Venezuela, Trump Revives ‘Gunboat Diplomacy.’ What Is It?

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Ali WatkinsJanuary 9, 2026 at 11:03 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

The article discusses the revival of "gunboat diplomacy" in the U.S. campaign against Venezuela. This approach, rooted in 19th-century imperialism, involves using the threat or display of naval force to influence a nation's behavior. Under President Trump, the U.S. military has increased its naval presence in the Caribbean, enforcing a blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers since December. U.S. vessels have pursued and seized tankers in the Caribbean and Atlantic. This strategy echoes historical examples like Commodore Matthew Perry's mission to Japan in 1853 and foreshadowed Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Japan 30% Commodore Matthew Perry ×240% Puerto Rico 40% Caracas 50% Caribbean ×370% U.S. Navy ×270% United States ×480% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×380% Donald Trump ×390% Venezuela ×590%

Keywords

gunboat diplomacy 100% venezuela 90% u.s. navy 80% military force 70% foreign policy 60% sanctions 50% nicolás maduro 50% oil tankers 50% caribbean 40%