Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has described the “muted international response” to the United States’ recent military actions in Venezuela as “most disheartening,” saying that U.S. President Donald Trump has intimidated much of the world into silence.
In a column published by the Jamaica Observer, Golding argued that Trump’s actions have placed Caribbean Community countries in a difficult position, suggesting that many nations are reluctant to speak out for fear of political or economic repercussions.
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Golding, who served as Jamaica’s head of government from September 2007 to October 2011, made his remarks in the wake of a controversial U.S. strike on Venezuela last week that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The couple was reportedly flown to the United States and later appeared in a U.S. court on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro has pleaded not guilty.
In the column, Golding called the U.S. action a “clear violation of international law and the repudiation of the United Nations Charter,” which enshrines principles such as the sovereign equality of all states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the prohibition on the use of force against another nation’s territorial integrity.
Golding also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for supporting the U.S. operation, suggesting that Zelenskyy’s reliance on American support in his own conflict with Russia may have shaped his stance. He warned that this pattern of powerful states intervening militarily could threaten other nations, drawing a parallel between alleged U.S. ambitions and wider global geopolitical shifts.
The former prime minister expressed particular concern for Caribbean states, which he said are especially vulnerable to pressures from larger powers. He noted that some small states have already felt the consequences of taking positions that diverge from U.S. policy, citing recent visa restrictions affecting Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. Golding suggested that these measures had broader diplomatic implications linked to those countries’ relationships with Venezuela.
Golding warned that the current tensions could represent a broader threat to regional autonomy and sovereignty, comparing it to a form of “recolonization.” He drew historical parallels to the Caribbean’s experience eight decades ago and said the region will once again need to navigate through complex global pressures.
Looking ahead to future U.S. leadership, Golding suggested that the direction of global politics after Trump’s tenure will depend on whether the former president’s approach takes root in a new ideology and whether his supporters can sustain that legacy through the coming elections. He concluded that the outcome now lies with American voters.
Golding’s commentary reflects broader debates about international law and global power in the wake of the U.S. intervention in Venezuela. The actions have drawn concern from multiple world leaders and legal experts, some of whom argue that the operation contravenes core principles of the United Nations Charter and international norms regarding state sovereignty and the use of force.
