What the U.S. military operation in Venezuela could mean for Canada

Bryan Peeler, assistant professor of political science, breaks down the U.S. raid in Venezuela and the potential impacts on Canada, security, and oil prices.

The United States’ military operation in Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro this past weekend have left people around the world, including in Canada, wondering who is next.

Since the capture, U.S. President Donald Trump has made comments about an American takeover in Greenland, as well as threats of military action in Colombia and a declaration that Cuba is in trouble. These proclamations have left people concerned that Trump’s administration may want to have a more expansive role in the Western Hemisphere.

“The instability this creates in the international system is not helpful to anyone,” said Bryan Peeler, a University of Manitoba assistant professor and associate head of political science, in an interview with Your Morning Winnipeg on Wednesday.

In terms of implications for Canada, Peeler pointed out all the talk over the past year about fentanyl coming into the United States via Canada.

“Are we going to see strikes on boats in the Great Lakes?” he questioned.

“Is Prime Minister Carney going to be taken because the United States decides at some point that fentanyl is the big worry again?”

Peeler noted he does not think this will happen, as Canada is far down on the list of targets.

However, he said, he’d be much more concerned if he was in Central or South America.

“When people show you who they are, believe them,” he warned of Trump’s actions.

As for the impacts on oil, Peeler noted that Trump said Venezuela would be providing 30 to 50 million barrels to the United States, which could bring down the price of oil for a time.

However, he described the talk of U.S. companies investing in Venezuela as “premature” given that the country’s regime, other than Maduro, remains in place.

“What has actually changed in Venezuela?” he said.

“This could just create more instability, and people don’t want to invest in countries where there is instability.”

- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé